Clockwork DevTerm: una mini PC basada en Raspberry Pi CM3 con impresora térmica integrada

MiniPC lovers are in luck: the Clockwork DevTerm is a tiny and amazing laptop with a 6.8-inch screen that is based on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 and includes everything you need to work and play. And even to print. This unique device includes a thermal printer that uses a 58mm roll of paper, but that's just one of its amazing features. It may not be an ultra-powerful miniPC, but of course by format and options it is difficult to find something like this on the market today. A modular miniPC that makes room for future external modules The interior of the DevTerm is as surprising as its exterior: the mainstay of its operation is, as we pointed out, an RPi CM3 with only 1 GB of RAM, but there are many more striking components that add to its particular internal design. In Clockwork they actually have versions based on other somewhat more powerful microarchitectures and configurations with more RAM.

In fact the "motherboard" is actually divided into two: on one side is that Raspberry Pi connected to another board that outputs various ports and also to the thermal printer, and on the other side we find other components that also allow connecting the so-called “EXT Modules”, external modules that allow adding additional functions (such as the printer) and that are an open door for developers and makers to present their ideas here. The kit that sells for $ 219 includes all the basic elements to mount this miniPC without problems, and there clearly stands out the display module, which consists of a 6.8-inch IPS panel and 16: 6 ultra-wide format.

The device also highlights the curious small-format QWERTY keyboard that is still very complete: it is where we also find a mini-trackball and, below the space bar, a series of mouse buttons (left, right, central). At the top left and right of that keyboard we even have a small gamepad made up of the arrow keys on one side and the traditional buttons (ABXY) on the other, which makes it possible to turn this miniPC into a nice console to enjoy titles. with retro game emulators, for example.

Everything is nice details, but basic issues such as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, as well as a MicroSD card slot (it is in it where the 16 GB card is included with the Raspberry Pi system, are not neglected. OS to rule that user experience), but also a USB-C port, three USB-A ports (USB 2.0), and even a micro HDMI port. Those who have been able to try the little DevTerm have been delighted with the experience although they also recognize that it is a pity that there is not a version with the more powerful Raspberry Pi CM4 that appeared more recently. That option may end up coming, but for now what is clear is that this miniPC is a small prodigy of miniaturization.