Subj : Re: Homebrew pi400
To   : Daniel
From : Daniel
Date : Mon Dec 02 2024 17:03:16

Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> writes:

> This past summer was a good time to lower the power bill and overall
> temperature of the den by transitioning to rpi's for my computing
> needs. The main pc was replaced by a pi400. Lovely, silent, low
> power. Lovely.
>
> Well, mostly so. I really don't like the keyboard and question why they
> went with it. The full sized keyboard is something I miss, you know,
> with the full row of function keys, dedicated number pad, full sized
> arrows, the pageup.down,insert,delete cluster. The keys themselves suck
> - where they often fail to register key presses and I have to fix
> spelling quite often. I had hoped that the keys would wear in and solve
> the problem, but it really just seems to be bad design. Hopes are it's
> simply bad luck and a bad keyboard.
>
> The problem is easy to solve by plugging in a usb keyboard, but it
> defeats the appeal and purpose of the all-in-one design.
>
> How hard would it be to rig the mobo into a full size keyboard shell?
> Design a new lower shell of a chosen keyboard to accomodate the mobo and
> port holes for 3d printing. A search online didn't yield evidence that
> it has been done yet. But if this thing with it's massive heat sync can
> fit in this small keyboard, it shouldn't have issues fitting in  full
> sized keybord.
>
> Found a teardown video and saw a custom ribbon cable utilized to connect
> the keyboard to the mobo - so that's a complication. After a bit of
> searching, they utilized one of the four usb ports in the hub for the
> keyboard logic.
>
> Has anyone managed a similar project with the experience to share?
>
> Daniel

Well, I'm still on the quest for my modded Pi400. I'm currently on one
of the keyboards that seemed promising in terms of shell depth
(Logitech K120 with silicon membrane). The illusion, I realize, is in
the full-sized keys and their travel with the membrane below. I'm sort
of addicted to this thing, as it's plugged into my pi400.

Anyway, after work I'll be making a voyage to the next city over from
mine and their goodwill. Going to buy up any potential keyboard from the
electronics area and see if any will fit a pi400 mobo.

At some point, I will give up on doing a simple shell mod and design an
extended lower shell for 3d printing. The big challenge for me is the
size limitation on the printer areas. They don't seem large enough to
fit an entire length of a full keyboard. I'll have to design a two-piece
shell and rely on the screws.

I have three of a particular model of Dell keyboard SK-2885. So far,
it's the closest thing I have that's moddable. I made a little video
about it on rumble, check it out.

https://rumble.com/v5unst5-homebrew-raspberry-pi-400-hackconversion.html

For five minutes I considered hacking a pi5 but realized it would be a
serious undertaking of engineering, a skill I lack.

D

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