This latest project offers something for people who want to turn the Pi into a traditional computer with a twist, a 'laptop' so small it'll fit in your pocket. 

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In its cheapest incarnation, the $35 Raspberry Pi is a computer in the simplest sense of the word, nothing more than a bare board. 

The reason for the stark appearance of the Pi is that the board is a canvas for its owner's ideas, a raw material for hundreds of different Pi-powered creations, everything from robots to retro arcade machines. 

This latest project offers something for people who want to turn the Pi into a traditional computer with a twist, a 'laptop' so small it'll fit in your pocket. 

This 'ultra-mobile PC' (UMPC) is not much bigger than the credit card-sized Pi itself, and can be put together for just over $100, which includes the cost of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B.

The laptop's case is 3D printed.  Those who have a 3D printer can download the case designs from here and print them out, while those who don't can order the parts from here, which will add about $50 to the build price. 

The video below shows the UMPC running the Pi's default Raspbian desktop OS.  However, while the PC looks useable and the screen perfectly readable, it's likely you wouldn't want to spend too long using what is a desktop PC OS on a five-inch display.  Typing on the tiny ADK-100 keyboard will also be no match for using a full-sized alternative and a separate mouse is needed to use Raspbian's GUI. 

The process of building the 'ultra-mobile PC' will also require a degree of skill with hardware, including being comfortable with soldering and desoldering, necessary to remove the Pi's default connectors and install a pair of USB ports that will fit in the case. 

Instructions for how to build the Raspberry Pi-based 'ultra-mobile PC' and a full list of components are available here or via the project's Thingiverse page. 

If you want a similar-sized Pi-powered device you could also check out the Zero Terminal project. 

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