Compu-tor, designed by [Henry Edwards], One of those things that doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It’s a clamshell-type portable computer, though unlike most laptops, it doesn’t come with a built-in battery. It has a sleek custom-designed case, but doesn’t look like futuristic sci-fi like CyberDeck. The keyboard can act as an input device, but it can also become a musical instrument.
In short, it’s a bit of that stuff, but the most interesting part is the nicely machined mahogany case. The two halves are connected by two cowhide friction hinges and a silicone ribbon cable: the lower half has a keyboard, speakers, USB port and power connection, while the upper half has a raspberry pie and a 10 touchscreen. The display bezel has a curved shape like a CRT monitor, which fits nicely with the dark wood environment of the 1970s.
Another reverse touch is the connection between the various circuit boards and the front panel switches: [Henry] Wire-wrapping used, something we haven’t seen in a while. The keyboard is a simple grid of identical keys with handwritten labels. Other labels, such as power connectors, are made from traditional embossing tape.
Compu-tor runs Debian, and it seems quite usable as a compact laptop. It even comes with a USB port for connecting external devices and with an ordinary 12 V input it should be no problem to find an external power source for it. Wood seems to be a popular ingredient in making raspberry pie-based laptops: we’ve seen them range from wooden cigar-boxes to laser-cut plywood and even incredibly small boxes.