What RootBoard Is and Why It’s a Great Raspberry Pi Handheld Base
A Raspberry Pi handheld built around the RootBoard is a pocket-sized, DIY portable Linux PC that combines a Raspberry Pi Zero board with a 3.5‑inch color display, a compact hardware keyboard, and battery power so you can carry a fully functional pocket computer for development, retro computing, or portable projects wherever you go.
Think of RootBoard as a ready-made shell for a DIY pocket computer. It brings a 3.5‑inch color display, a 70‑key thumb QWERTY keyboard with function keys, a built‑in speaker, and a row of ports in a small handheld case. You provide the brain: a Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero W, or Zero 2 W, plus storage and power. The result is a pocket-sized Linux handheld that boots Raspberry Pi OS or another GNU/Linux distro and lets you type, code, and tinker on the go.
This guide is for anyone who has a spare Pi board, likes the cyberdeck aesthetic, and wants a portable Linux PC without designing a case and keyboard from scratch. The only real caveat: RootBoard is a kit, not a finished computer. You’ll be dealing with open-source design files, basic electronics, and Pi setup. If you’re comfortable installing Raspberry Pi OS and slotting a board into a case, you’re in the right place.
Parts You Need Before You Start Your DIY Pocket Computer
Before you touch a screwdriver, you need the right parts. RootBoard ships as a handheld computer kit, but it does not include CPU, memory, storage, or a battery. The idea is that you reuse a tiny Raspberry Pi you probably already own—ideal if you bought a Pi Zero for a project that never quite happened.
| Component | What It Does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RootBoard kit | Enclosure, 3.5" display, 70-key keyboard, speaker, ports | Keyboard is non-touch; use keyboard or external mouse. |
| Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W / Zero 2 W | Main computer board | RootBoard is designed specifically for these boards. |
| microSD card | Storage and operating system | Needed for Raspberry Pi OS or another GNU/Linux distro. |
| Single 3.7V 18650 cell | Battery for untethered use | Required if you want to use it away from a power source. |
You’ll also want a basic toolkit: small Phillips screwdriver, tweezers for headers, and, if RootBoard exposes them, a USB cable for initial flashing. According to the creator, "documentation, design files, and source code will all be available in a GitHub repository" so the community can study and modify the design. That open-source approach is what makes RootBoard interesting—once you’ve built the stock Raspberry Pi keyboard display handheld, you can tweak layouts, extend ports, or even redesign the shell.
Step-by-Step: Assembling Your Raspberry Pi Handheld With RootBoard
Let’s walk through turning the kit and parts into a working pocket-sized Linux handheld. The RootBoard arrives with the casing, keyboard, display, and ports already integrated, so you’re mostly installing the Pi, adding power, and getting the operating system running. Work slowly; the only real gotcha is treating the small connectors and the 18650 cell with care.
- Prepare your Raspberry Pi: flash Raspberry Pi OS or another GNU/Linux distro to the microSD card, then insert it into your Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero W, or Zero 2 W.
- Open the RootBoard shell: remove any back cover screws and carefully lift the rear panel so you can access the internal Pi mounting area and connectors.
- Mount the Raspberry Pi board: align the Pi’s ports with the RootBoard’s internal connectors or openings, then secure the board using the provided standoffs or screw points so it doesn’t move.
- Connect internal cables: attach any display, keyboard, and audio cables or headers from the RootBoard to the corresponding pins or ports on the Raspberry Pi, double-checking each connection for a snug fit.
- Install the 3.7V 18650 battery: place the cell into the battery holder, minding polarity, and ensure the battery terminals make solid contact to power the handheld without an external supply.
- Reassemble the case: close the shell, reinstall screws, and confirm that all external ports, the 3.5‑inch display, and the 70-key keyboard are correctly aligned with the openings.
- Power on and configure: switch on or plug in power, wait for your portable Linux PC to boot, then adjust keyboard layout, display settings, and network configuration in the OS.
RootBoard’s display is not a touchscreen, so plan to control your DIY pocket computer with the built-in keyboard or an external mouse. The keyboard layout images aren’t final and will gain dedicated arrow keys in the production version, so check the documentation for your exact keymap. Take your time on step 4: mis-seated display or keyboard cables are the most common source of boot-up surprises, and they’re easier to fix before you close the case.
Putting Your Portable Linux PC to Work: Use Cases and Mods
Once it boots and the keyboard feels comfortable, you effectively own a pocket-sized Linux handheld. RootBoard is designed for Raspberry Pi OS, but "there’s nothing stopping users from trying other GNU/Linux distros" on the Pi. That means you can tailor this Raspberry Pi handheld to whatever you care about most: coding, retro games, or field projects.
For development, treat your DIY pocket computer as a portable terminal for remote servers or embedded boards. The RootBoard’s creators say it can connect to "ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico, Arduino, STM32 sensors, or IoT devices", which makes it handy as a field programmer or dashboard. For retro computing, install emulators and classic tools; the 3.5‑inch display and thumb keyboard evoke the feel of old palmtops. For portable projects, pair it with sensors or a small robot and use your handheld as the control console. Because the design files and source code are intended to be open, you can tweak case geometry, adjust the Raspberry Pi keyboard display angle, or even design alternate modules.
The main thing to watch for here is power and thermals: the single 3.7V 18650 cell powers the handheld away from the wall, but heavy workloads and wireless use will drain it faster. Keep an eye on charge levels, and if you expand the design, consider adding better battery monitoring or easier access to swap cells.
Is Building a RootBoard Handheld Worth It?
You end up with something very specific: a Raspberry Pi handheld with a 3.5‑inch display, 70‑key keyboard, speaker, and decent ports that fits in your bag and runs a full Linux OS. If that sounds like a fun mix of cyberdeck style and practical utility, RootBoard is a solid shortcut compared with designing your own case from nothing.
There are a few caveats. RootBoard is a crowdfunding project, and like many such campaigns there’s a chance it may not ship on schedule or match early expectations. You must also bring your own Raspberry Pi Zero, microSD card, and 18650 battery cell. But if you’re comfortable with that risk and already own the Pi, building this DIY pocket computer is a satisfying weekend project. The takeaway: watch the documentation, treat the battery with care, and think of RootBoard as a base you can modify rather than a finished, locked-down gadget.
