Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ based Tablet projects?

[r4dh4l]

Hi,

someone in my family wants a tablet PC and I don't like to recommend something of the "walled garden" (aka Apple products) or some Android based product which doesn't get any security updates in ... well, maybe never.

I already crawled the net and the forum and found

- https://accounts.pi-top.com/products/ceed/
- http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/a-co ... ablet.html
- https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rasp ... tive-ideas#/
- https://learn.adafruit.com/7-portable-r ... t/overview

All these projects are too bulky for daily use because of the model B is used.

So my question: Are there any Model A based tablet projects? Soldering wouldn't be the problem for me but I would like to have an already existing case for Pi, battery and display (the official Raspberry Pi 7" one would be okay).

Thx!

[Imperf3kt]

It's been done. To achieve it yourself, just do what was done for the model B, add a usb hub and call it a day.

I've made such a thing with a 5 inch screen, that now gathers dust on my desk until I can figure out what to do about the battery constantly draining even while turned off.

You won't find off-the-shelf parts for this kind of project and the one I made required modifying both the parts I had to buy or make, and the Pi itself.

[r4dh4l]

Thx for sharing this Imperf3kt.

[FTrevorGowen]

Hi,
...
So my question: Are there any Model A based tablet projects? Soldering wouldn't be the problem for me but I would like to have an already existing case for Pi, battery and display (the official Raspberry Pi 7" one would be okay).

Thx!

Well not quite a tablet, but, FWIW, my P3A+ and Raspberry Pi 7" Touchscreen in Pimoroni cases comes close:
http://www.cpmspectrepi.uk/raspberry_pi ... 3Aplus.htm
http://www.cpmspectrepi.uk/raspberry_pi ... splay.html
(No soldering required)
Trev.

[LTolledo]

Do note that battery life is a main hurdle for this project....

...but still fun to make anyway.... good luck

[Gavinmc42]

I got one of these as a Desktop.
https://au.element14.com/element14/pi-d ... /268714202
It has a power on/off button, not sure of the actual quiescent current, but could the circuit be used in tablet?
Big tablet

Raspbian is a pain for powering off, but other OS's like PiCore are Ram based so instant power offs are less an issue.
There are some battery hats around, mostly 18650 Li Ion cell based.
That means the thickest part of the tablet will be about 20mm thick.
Li Poly cells are not as easy to get unless you stick with the RC hobby ones.
Sometimes they can only be shipped by road too.

Manga screen 2 has the best 5" screen spec wise - full HD 1920 x1080.
I'm told highest res from the Pi is only on the HDMI, the DSI/DPI ports cannot go as fast?

I would love a daylight visible screen and hope ClearInk is a success.
Perhaps a 7-8" full HD screen, double sided, two screens?

[HawaiianPi]

Hi,

someone in my family wants a tablet PC and I don't like to recommend something of the "walled garden" (aka Apple products) or some Android based product which doesn't get any security updates in ... well, maybe never.

In my opinion you'd be better off getting a Chromebook. Anything built from a Pi is going to cost more than you expect and perform worse. There are convertible 2-in-1 Chromebooks and even some tablet models now. Recent models can run Android and Linux apps (in addition to the usual Chrome apps), and google has 5 year support for Chrome OS devices (minimum, some have continued to receive support after that).

Check out the Lenovo C330 or 500e for convertibles that are affordable with decent specs. The Acer Chromebook Tab 10 is the least expensive tablet model, but it costs more than the convertibles I recommended. I have an HP x2 Chromebook (detachable ), which is a bit pricey, but it's freaking awesome (and Best Buy has some great sales on that model).

You don't have your location in your profile, but if you're in the USA you can get the Lenovo C330 on Amazon for $239 right now.

If your intention is to learn about building such a device, the go for it, but remember the 3A+ only has 512MB of RAM (not 1GB like the 3B+).

[r4dh4l]

Hi,

someone in my family wants a tablet PC and I don't like to recommend something of the "walled garden" (aka Apple products) or some Android based product which doesn't get any security updates in ... well, maybe never.

In my opinion you'd be better off getting a Chromebook. Anything built from a Pi is going to cost more than you expect and perform worse. There are convertible 2-in-1 Chromebooks and even some tablet models now. Recent models can run Android and Linux apps (in addition to the usual Chrome apps), and google has 5 year support for Chrome OS devices (minimum, some have continued to receive support after that).

Although the concept of a Chromebook is very similar for me to what Apple offers with its "walled garden" you are basically right to better go for regular hardware. There were very nice table/convertible devices available via minifree.org but the owner seems to be in financial trouble.

[HawaiianPi]

Although the concept of a Chromebook is very similar for me to what Apple offers with its "walled garden" ...

We can agree to disagree on that. Chrome OS is based on an open source project (Chromium OS), so the majority of the source code is available, and Chromebooks are far less closed than Apple (who even managed to mess up Bluetooth with some proprietary nonsense).

I can run Linux and Android apps on my Chromebook (officially, not with some hack), and when its support ends after 2024 (if it's not extended), I can install Chromium OS, or even regular Linux on it.


EDIT:
I do find the concept of a Pi based tablet intriguing, but a tablet needs an exceptional screen, and that just adds so much to the cost that it doesn't seem worthwhile (the official touchscreen is far too low resolution for a tablet, IMO). I have been toying with ideas for a portable Pi, however, and find that a more practical and viable option (doesn't have to be all in one box, or require battery power).

[bjtheone]

I can run Linux and Android apps on my Chromebook (officially, not with some hack), and when its support ends after 2024 (if it's not extended), I can install Chromium OS, or even regular Linux on it.

EDIT:
I do find the concept of a Pi based tablet intriguing, but a tablet needs an exceptional screen, and that just adds so much to the cost that it doesn't seem worthwhile (the official touchscreen is far too low resolution for a tablet, IMO). I have been toying with ideas for a portable Pi, however, and find that a more practical and viable option (doesn't have to be all in one box, or require battery power).

+1, My Chromebooks spends most of it time running Linux, drops back to Chrome when family members want a browser and happily runs Android. I bought it to trial exactly this usage model. After playing with it for 6 months I think I want a Linux 2-1 more. Tablet for when I just want content consumption with a useable keyboard for on the go use and a dock with a big monitor, real keyboard and mouse if I want to spend serious time typing. 10" screen is the sweet spot for me between large enough to be useable and small enough to be realistic to use in tablet mode, and easy to carry.

[r4dh4l]

Although the concept of a Chromebook is very similar for me to what Apple offers with its "walled garden" ...

We can agree to disagree on that. Chrome OS is based on an open source project (Chromium OS), so the majority of the source code is available, and Chromebooks are far less closed than Apple (who even managed to mess up Bluetooth with some proprietary nonsense).

I can run Linux and Android apps on my Chromebook (officially, not with some hack), and when its support ends after 2024 (if it's not extended), I can install Chromium OS, or even regular Linux on it.

Sory, forgot to say: Thank you. For some reason I was not aware of this option.

[Moonmarch]

This topic is one of those old threads if anyone is interested in a Raspberry Pi tablet coincidentally I did find a RPI computer tablet for sale I would not say this tablet is exactly a bargain you can actually find Windows PC tablets for about the same price, I would not say the Windows tablets have a fast CPU I can see why people would compare Chromebooks or iPads to a RPI computer tablet, because of the price well if you needed a RPI computer tablet here is a link to the product:

SunFounder RasPad - A Raspberry Pi Tablet Built-in Battery, 10.1" Touchscreen...
https://www.ebay.com/i/113409329383?chn ... yaEALw_wcB

SunFounder RasPad A Raspberry Pi Tablet Built In Battery 10.1" Touchscreen W Box "USED"
https://www.ebay.com/i/333528927082?rt= ... %3DDefault

If anyone had plans to build their own tablet you can purchase a touch screen with a case, and a long USB to micro USB cable then plug in the battery pack to the RPI computer using the long USB cable I have not tried this idea before use at your own risk.

[tpylkko]

then there is also the pinebook (there is also a tablet and a phone there if you look). In their promotional paragraph in this page, they claim it is like "chromebooks people convert to linux but better".

https://www.pine64.org/pinebook-pro/