mirror of
https://github.com/Proteus-Typer/model-a.git
synced 2024-09-07 21:43:36 +00:00
51 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
51 lines
2.0 KiB
Markdown
# Model-A Homemade Computer Project
|
|
|
|
Here are the files used to build the case for my homemade
|
|
computer. You can see a lot about it in [this article](http://ralsina.me/weblog/posts/so-i-built-a-laptop.html) (or at least about it as it was in early march 2023)
|
|
|
|
The main gist is to use [CadQuery](https://cadquery.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)
|
|
and Python to build flexible, deeply parametric cases for computers based on
|
|
Single Board Computers (think Raspberry Pi and similar things).
|
|
|
|
## How flexible?
|
|
|
|
Suppose you buy a mechanic keyboard and use it as the base to build something like a classic C64-style wedge using a cheap 3d printer:
|
|
|
|
![Image of a wedge-style computer case](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtsB6wiX0AEqrHF?format=jpg&name=large)
|
|
|
|
Yes, you can do this using pretty much any mechanical keyboard you are willing to butcher.
|
|
|
|
And then you remove a few screws, replace a few components and turn it into a
|
|
Tandy Model-100 style laptop:
|
|
|
|
![Image of a Tandy style laptop case](http://ralsina.me/galleries/laptop/IMG20230302142042.thumbnail.jpg)
|
|
|
|
Or into a "normal" notebook:
|
|
|
|
![Image of something somewhat notebook-like](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtTFtMoXoAEblTb?format=jpg&name=large)
|
|
|
|
And what's inside?
|
|
|
|
* A SBC
|
|
* Maybe batteries
|
|
* Maybe a USB hub
|
|
* Perhaps a soundcard?
|
|
* Storage?
|
|
|
|
How would I know, you are going to be the one that builds it!
|
|
|
|
## How is it going
|
|
|
|
The basic concepts work, as proven by me building the damned things. But still:
|
|
|
|
* The software needs a lot of work
|
|
* It has to be made much more user friendly
|
|
* All the "lids" are pretty custom one-offs (they need to be made more parametric)
|
|
* The component library is very limited (just the things I am using in my build)
|
|
|
|
None of those things is an insurmountable problem, and I am working on them,
|
|
and I have plans to fix it all. Eventually. Some day. I only do this on
|
|
lunch breaks and weekends folks.
|
|
|
|
In the meantime, if you want to use any of this and need a hand, just contact me at roberto.alsina@gmail.com and I'll try to help.
|