Meet the New Pilet 5 Pocket Computer
The new Pilet 5 is beautiful pocket computer and the smaller sibling of the Pilet 7, which was formerly called Consolo.
Many of us are fond of saying that “everyone carries a powerful computer in their pocket.” But that feels a bit like hyperbole, doesn’t it? My iPhone certainly isn’t capable of doing everything that my desktop computer can — there is a reason I’m not typing this article on that iPhone, after all. Mobile operating systems (Android and iOS being the only two practical options today) come with serious limitations when compared to their desktop counterparts. But if you want a fully featured computer that fits in your pocket, you may be able to get it soon in the form of the new Pilet 5.
The Pilet 5 is the smaller sibling of the Pilet 7, which was formerly called Consolo. We first told you about the Consolo just a couple of months ago and the project has been moving quickly since then. That larger Pilet 7 is still in development, but now the Pilet 5 is joining it.
The Pilet 5 carries over many of the features of the Pilet 7, but in a more compact package. The two most obvious changes are the switch from a 7” screen to smaller 5” screen and the addition of a permanent keyboard. The Pilet 7 is a modular device and the most prominent module is the keyboard. Without that module attached, the Pilet 7 has more of a tablet form factor. The Pilet 5 takes a different approach and has a built-in keyboard, joystick, mini trackball, and even a nifty barrel-style scroll wheel.
Details are limited, but Soulscircuit claims that the Pilet 5 will have a seven-hour battery life, just like the Pilet 7. It will also be built around the Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer.
Part of the motivation for creating the Pilet 5 was to make manufacturing and assembly more straightforward. Because of that, Soulscircuit says that the Pilet 5 may actually make it to market before the Pilet 7. Nothing is set in stone at this time, but they’re aiming for a price point of around $200.
If you’re interested in staying on top of this project and the release of the Pilet 5 (or Pilet 7, for that matter), you can sign up for updates on the Soulscircuit website. Videos and additional photos should be coming soon.