I know. It is yet another Blackberry Q20 keyboard retrofit Raspberry based pocket computer. It is just like Beepy, ColorBerry, and an awesome HackberryPi by ZitaoTech. It even fully inspired by latest Zitao HackberryPi-CM5.

I have known about these retrofit devices for a long time. I love the idea. I even had many use cases for using such a device a long time ago. The only problem is the lack of horsepower from every released device, because it has come with Raspberry Zero(w). There is also the uConsole by ClockworkPi with Raspberry CM4. It is awesome and powerful enough. However, it is much bigger. The landscape display on handheld devices is a bit awkward (subjectively).

Then a couple weeks ago, ZitaoTech released a HackberryPi-CM5. I instantly fell in love with it 😍. It has an awesome square display (720x720px), aluminum body, NVMe slot, and proper pocket size. It sold like a hot cake. I late 15 minutes from drop time party, but eagerly enough to wait for next weeks for another drop, but until now (I wrote this post), the next drop is yet to come 😔. (And I still waiting for it btw).

In my spare time, I explore everything on HackberryPi-CM5 GitHub. For your information, the HackberryPi-CM5 is not fully Open Source, but there is a lot of information like schematic & BOM. I also read a bunch about Raspberry-CM5. I read about the display specifications. I find component parts on Alibaba. At that time, I had an idea to design my ideal HackberryPi-CM5 device on my own.

And here is the early design:

The PocketPi ( The lazy naming or codenaming ).

It includes all things that make HackberryPi-CM5 awesome. It adds my ideal needed features. I fix and change things that I subjectively think were problems. It also removes unnecessary things (like dimension).

FYI: this is completely new design from scratch, HackberryPi-CM5 schematic is used only for references.

From that early design, there is main goal:

  • Non Commercial: It means I design it not for commercial goals. If someone or some company wants to produce or do business with me about it, I will gladly accept. I welcome the commissions😆. However, the project should keep on the GPL3 license.
  • Non Crowd-Source: It just annoying to do.
  • Open Source HW: Will be fully open source at least when I think it’s is ready to alpha test it.
  • Open Source Software/Driver: I will open source all firmware and linux driver, but I avoid coding any linux driver needs.
  • PCB Easy Orderable: Any individual can easily order and build it themselves from many chinesse PCB & 3D printing (or cnc) manufacturers, but I recommend JLCPCB, because I design the PCB on EasyEDA and part selection on it (JLCPCB, When will you sponsoring me??? 😚).
  • 3D Printable Case

Commercial manufacturing sources parts at lower prices for mass production. I design the product to incur lower costs on individual orders. I try to use as many JLCPCB basic components as possible. This reduces the order price. I also use only single side parts placement. I also find the best components for the extended ones. User can also change any components on BOM when ordering it.

The main star is Raspberry Pi CM5. I am trying a different approach than HackberryPi. I will add a dip switch or jumper to select boot. Anyone who wants to use the non-lite (with emmc) version can just attach it to PocketPi. They can then select the boot jumper/switch to boot from USB and install it to emmc.

I also change one USB-A to Type-C (USB 3.0) and keep one USB-A (still usable), it may make some confusion for users because only one USB-C (the 2.0 one) that will be able to charge the device, but I found something similar on a lot of game console emulator, and everyone know which port is for charging right away (maybe only for a couple mistakes). But the benefit of USB Type-C with USB 3.0 is bigger than that initial confusion 😆.

Port location is also optimized and moved to a top side. This change acknowledges that it is not a phone. A lot of time, I will use it to connect to other devices for troubleshooting. It will become a productivity beast for me.

The biggest extra feature is the rotary encoder and 2 personalized side buttons. A rotary encoder can be used for scrolling. It will be satisfying. The encoder also has a push switch. I’ll find the best implementation for it later.

The device is targeted for hackers and thinkers. Therefore, the extension port is always welcomed in its design. I’ll add at least one (or maybe two) internal USB 2.0 port with 4 pin connector(s). Everyone can use this to add another functionality with ease. Hacking options include adding SDR, GPS, or a modem. I will try to add some space to place an extension board even when it is limited.

One thing that makes me a bit don’t like the HackberryPi CM5 is the sound. It uses the Bluetooth method. This method is a smart and hack-like solution, but it feels a bit out of place. I change it to USB-sound card ic, with audio jack 3.5mm, internal speaker and internal microphone from blackberry Q20 keyboard (hey it have a mic inside it).

Early 3D design just to make sure all fit together, and all main dimension is correct & possible

There is still a lot of things to explain from the design image above. These include reduced PCB size and overall device size, focus on signal integrity, EMI reduction, stable power and battery management. There is also M2 dual size support for 2230 and 2242, and an internal USB hub (4x) on USB 2.0 for keyboard, sound card, and extensions. But it can wait until next update.

For now, I think it already have a good concept. I also already ordered some pcb (not yet finished) for research and open sourced it at https://github.com/amarullz/BBQ20Breakout

Let me know if you have any idea, questions, or want to help with this project.

Thanks, and keep tinkering.