Zhou Xu's Blackberry Pi Is a ZX Spectrum-Themed Raspberry Pi-Powered 3D-Printed Linux Handheld
Using an upcycled Blackberry keyboard and a 3D-printed case inspired by Sinclair's ZX Spectrum, the Blackberry Pi is a real blend of eras.
Microscope scientist Zhou Xu, PhD, has put together a compact handheld Raspberry Pi-powered Linux machine, taking its visual styling from a combination of the classic BlackBerry cellular handsets and 1983's Sinclair ZX Spectrum microcomputer: the Blackberry Pi.
"I always have [had] the plan to build a small handheld cyberdeck-like computer for electronics testing and prototyping," Xu explains by way of background. "This became more feasible after I purchased the awesome BBQ20KBD Blackberry keypad from Solder Party. So after searching through my drawers [I chose components to] make use of the spare parts left from my previous Game Boy project, and also subjected to the shortage of [Raspberry] Pi Zero 2 W [boards.]"
As a result, the Blackberry Pi is driven by a first-generation Raspberry Pi Zero W, a low-power single-board computer nevertheless powerful enough to run a desktop Linux environment, connected to a Gearbest 320×240 color LCD. Beneath the display is a Solder Party BBQ20KBD, which converts old BlackBerry keyboards and trackpads for use with other devices — over USB, Qwiic/STEMMA QT, and PMOD connectors.
Elsewhere in the case is a 2.5Ah lithium-polymer battery connected to an Adafruit PowerBoost 1000 Charger board, a 5V cooling fan, and a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 in nightvision-capable NoIR variant. Optional adds-ons outside the central design include a USB hub offering an external USB port, a real-time clock board, and a Texas instruments ADS1015 analog-to-digital converter board for battery voltage measurement.
"With all the components dimensions in mind, I quickly drafted the design in SolidWorks. One of the unique features is that all GPIOs [General-Purpose Input/Output pins] are directly accessible from the top of the LCD screen for easier connection. One thing I’m not terribly happy about is that the BBQ20KBD (through USB-C connection) does not have Esc and Ctrl keys, making it inconvenient for ad-hoc editing code in nano," Xu notes — though, in a later update, notes that a shift to I2C connectivity will allow for easier key remapping.
More details on the build are available on Xu's blog; "once everything gets a bit more polished," he promises, "I'll post the enclosure files on my GitHub and Printable pages."