A compact PC setup with a tiny motherboard and essential components.
A compact PC setup with a tiny motherboard and essential components.
Hey, I’m a programmer with a fresh concept today. I imagined a compact unit combining CPU, RAM, and SSD—like a laptop—where you can connect the "peripheral" part (screen, mouse, buttons, etc.). It would be a mini PC that fits in a phone, tablet, or TV size while keeping the same storage capacity. Since I’m comfortable with software, I plan to handle the OS myself, even though hardware knowledge is limited. My first idea was a Raspberry Pi, but I’d prefer a more powerful CPU/GPU and bigger storage/ram. I think using laptop components or a full motherboard would be best for learning, though finding those parts might be tricky (maybe on eBay). If I skip Windows or any current OS, an ARM-based processor could work—especially if I can source one like a modern smartphone chip. It’s definitely a challenging project, but I’m eager to learn.
In short, it's essentially an Intel NUC. Building one from scratch isn't practical—you'd need to gather every component separately, which isn't straightforward since laptop parts aren't easy to source, and creating your own motherboard adds complexity. You could look on eBay for parts, but availability might be limited.
I found some ideas, but I need a fully made‑up chassis. It shouldn’t run Windows and should support a battery. The parts are tricky, but I think Snapdragon chips are the best option I can find right now. For memory and storage I’m still figuring it out. I saw something just an hour ago and it’s pretty close to what I need. My goal is a more powerful device with a dedicated connector—no single USB port allowed.
That means your main option is likely purchasing a NUC and tailoring the chassis to include a power supply. You might also clear out the existing windows. The issue is that as you increase power requirements, the size keeps growing. Honestly, you could try modifying components from a smartphone instead.
These are quite powerful for my intended use and aren't designed for mobile use (they're meant for desktop CPUs). The size matters too. Yes, I think phone performance is what I'm aiming for—I feel they have enough power for my needs and don’t require a huge battery. I wonder if the datasheet for these components isn’t available online? That seems like a common issue, even though it’s expected. Still, there’s a smaller option with a phone-sized motherboard. You could replace any other device (like a swappable laptop battery) in its place. The compute stick you showed is an ideal example; I could have simply asked how to build one myself without needing the USB connection.
try a compact latte panda that fits in a large battery for some time. I've noticed people attaching graphics cards, perhaps a Raspberry Pi, but I haven't seen anyone do it with a graphics card yet—definitely achievable!