Maker Jeff Merrick has launched design information and directions for a “writerdeck” impressed by Epson’s traditional PX-4 moveable laptop: the Typeframe PX-88.
“The Typeframe challenge is a set of open-source {hardware} and software program for constructing writerdecks/cyberdecks,” Merrick explains of the challenge and its first public launch. “The primary mannequin, the PX-88, is a portable-ish laptop impressed by the Epson PX-4. The aim was to create a writerdeck that might be used with trendy web-based editors.”
The general design of the Typeframe PX-88 may be very very like that of the Epson PX-4 that impressed it — a conveyable laptop launched in 1985. There are enhancements, nevertheless: in contrast to the unique’s fastened show the PX-88 has a 7.9″ ultrawide full-color display that may be angled for consolation, with capacitive contact to take away the necessity for a mouse or a touchpad, and the keyboard is a 65% mechanical-switch mannequin — which, apparently, may be faraway from the primary physique of the PX-88 if desired.
The Typeframe PX-88 wears its Epson PX-4 inspiration proudly, however with significantly extra energy below the hood. (📷: Jeff Merrick)
Contained in the 3D-printed housing is a Raspberry Pi 4 Mannequin B 4GB single-board laptop, chosen to be highly effective sufficient that it might probably run web-based wealthy doc editors like Google Docs with out apparent slowdown. There is a 32GB microSD Card with a custom-made working system designed besides straight right into a distraction-free atmosphere, and a lithium-polymer battery so the gadget can be utilized on the transfer.
“That is my first time constructing one thing of this scope,” Merrick admits of the amazingly-slick system, “particularly with CAD and electronics. I’ve tried to doc all the things intimately, so somebody like myself with restricted expertise can deal with the challenge as nicely. If I can do it, you possibly can too!”
Extra particulars, together with an meeting information, can be found on the Typeframe web site; {hardware} design and 3D-printable information, plus the software program sources, can be found on GitHub below the Artistic Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Worldwide license for the {hardware} and GNU Common Public License 3 for the software program.
