This package transforms a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W into a pocket computer that includes a keyboard and monitor

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is a small, multipurpose computer board that, owing to its quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, can run much of the same software as its somewhat larger siblings. However, without additional gear such as a keyboard and monitor, the $15 computer board is useless.

ShaRPiKeebo is an add-on that combines both of these features in a tiny device that fits in your pocket, thereby transforming the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W into a portable computer or gaming console. The ShaRPiKeebo, which was first unveiled in January, is now available for pre-order for $150.

Sulfuroid has produced a unique printed circuit board with built-in switches that can be used as a 56-key keyboard for thumb typing and a D-Pad arrangement of additional keys that may be utilized as gaming controllers.

A Sharp memory LCD display with a 2.7-inch, 400 x 240 pixel, daylight-readable black and white display sits atop the board. You may use the gadget for testing whether or not you've connected to WiFi thanks to a long-range wireless transmitter.

The gadget is only 115 x 66 x 20mm (4.5′′ x 2.6′′ x 0.8′′), making it smaller than most smartphones (but a little thicker and more... bare looking).

The ShaRPiKeebo is a battery-powered device featuring on-board battery management, a LiPo battery connector, and a charging module that allows you to charge a battery using a USB-C charger. If you choose a 6,000 mAh battery, you may expect up to 6 hours of active usage, or roughly 3 hours if you use a 3,000 mAh battery.

Sulfuroid, the project's developer, has been uploading photographs and brief videos of the gadget on Twitter for months, explaining the technology and demonstrating how it works. Sulfuroid claims that every component's availability has been confirmed, and fabrication and assembly partners have been identified.

So the next stage would be to produce a limited batch of devices for testing and certification, with the goal of distributing units to supporters within three months of the campaign's finish... Although there's no certainty that this will happen because crowdfunding always involves some risk.

This isn't the first attempt to transform a Raspberry Pi Zero into a pocket-sized computer we've seen. The PCB and keyboard remind me of the SnapOnAir Raspberry PI Zero PCB, which has been available since the beginning of 2019. ShaRPiKeebo, on the other hand, stands apart because of its unique keyboard layout, screen, and long-range wireless radio.