The Raspberry Pi is small, low-powered, and with a battery, portable. Wouldn't it be great if you could turn your own Raspberry Pi into a homemade laptop? Well, you can!
We've found nine ways you can turn a Raspberry Pi into a laptop using manufactured kits and/or 3D-printed plans.
Why Use a Raspberry Pi as a Laptop?
It's compact, easy to set up, and capable of being connected to a variety of hardware devices. The real question is, why wouldn't you use a Raspberry Pi as a laptop?
Two key options present themselves: a (relatively) high-powered Raspberry Pi 4 or the ridiculously low-priced and slim-line Raspberry Pi Zero.
Just imagine the possibilities. With a Raspberry Pi-powered laptop, not only do you have a portable computer you can use for productivity, you can employ it for coding projects too. Better still, many Pi laptop projects provide access to the GPIO, letting you easily connect to other devices, just as you would if it was sat barebones on your desk.
The following examples can all turn a Raspberry Pi into a laptop. If you're looking for some smaller uses, see our look at projects that make your Raspberry Pi portable.
1. pi-top [3]
A modular laptop featuring a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ (although you can order without), the pi-top is amazing. In short, it is a laptop chassis with a keyboard that slides out, exposing the insides. You won't find much here, other than a PCB to connect your Raspberry Pi to.
The pi-top has been around for several years now, with the latest version compatible with the Model 3B+. By mounting the connector board and Pi on a rail, other devices can be attached alongside, such as a breadboard. These are all hidden when you slide the keyboard back into place. When the mood takes you for some DIY electronics, simply slide back the keyboard and attach another device.
There's even a special heatsink to keep your Raspberry Pi cooled, and the pi-top has its own operating system.
2. Piper Raspberry Pi Laptop Computer Kit
Another portable Raspberry Pi kit that focuses on electronics and programming, the Piper comes with a self-assembly wooden case. There's a non-touch display, loudspeaker, and compartment for the Raspberry Pi and a breadboard. All the wires, LEDs, and switches you could need are also included. The kit also includes a rechargeable power supply, making it truly portable.
While the addition of a compact keyboard lets you use the Piper for standard Raspberry Pi-based productivity tasks, it is the dedicated version of Minecraft-Pi that sets this kit apart.
Not a standard Raspberry Pi 3 laptop, the Piper is a useful educational tool that can go anywhere.
3. Raspberry Pi and Arduino Laptop
With a full keyboard, DIY trackpad, and 7-inch display, this DIY build will result in your own Raspberry Pi laptop. This project uses a Raspberry Pi 3, but you could easily swap this with a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+.
A detailed video (above) accompanies this build. You'll learn how to build the battery pack, connect a charger and boost converter, and even extend a USB port to improve accessibility.
The Arduino component, meanwhile, displays a status for the battery charge, as well as providing connectivity for sensor modules. It's a useful all-in-one approach!
With a keyboard from a 7-inch tablet case, this Raspberry Pi laptop is built from reinforced cardboard.
4. CrowPi 2 Raspberry Pi Laptop Kit
A chunky laptop chassis with space for a Raspberry Pi 4 (a 4GB model is included), the CrowPi 2 is a superb kit. Shipping with a power supply, dual game controllers, an integrated electronics workshop board, and a bunch of components for STEM development, the CrowPi 2 is a bit of a hobbyist's dream.
The integrated electronics workshop board alone is enough to keep you going, while the "loose" components---many of which can be breadboarded in the workshop---can help you push your learning further.
Overall, this is a great Raspberry Pi laptop kit with a heavy focus on learning, ideal for over 12s.
5. DIY Raspberry Pi Pocket Laptop
Using a keyboard, IPS display, portable battery recharger and a Raspberry Pi 3, this laptop seems simpler than it is. A switch is attached to the battery, enabling easy switch on. As with most Pi's however, shutting down should be done from within the OS (to avoid a corrupt SD card).
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this build, however, is the plastic chassis. While it doesn't have space for the chosen Bluetooth keyboard (others may be more suitable), it's a surprisingly perfect fit.
What's particularly interesting about this project is that it is pretty barebones. Only the absolute basics are included here, which gives you scope to make your own spin on it.
There's no link for this Raspberry Pi laptop project---everything you need is in the video.
6. LapPi Raspberry Pi Laptop
A self-assembly DIY acrylic laptop for the Raspberry Pi, the LapPi comes in 5- and 7-inch variants. Furthermore, you can buy the kit with or without the Pi, and there is also a version that includes a collection of shields (PiTraffic, PiCube, PiRelay, and PiTalk Shield).
LapPi is compatible with any consumer model of Raspberry Pi you can think of, and includes a capacitive touchscreen. There's also a keyboard, Li-Ion rechargeable power bank, and speakers. Four colors are available: red, blue, yellow, and black.
As both kits are particularly small, the LapPi isn't a typical productivity laptop. It is, however, designed to help you turn your Raspberry Pi into a great mini laptop.
7. DIY 3D-Printed Raspberry Pi Laptop
What could be more DIY than a 3D printed laptop powered by a Raspberry Pi?
Featuring a Raspberry Pi 2 and a 3.5-inch TFT display, this build employs a miniature Bluetooth keyboard. There's also a Li-Ion battery, and Wi-Fi dongle, but with more recent Raspberry Pi models, this wouldn't be required. Everything about this build is small, and the result is a pocket-sized Raspberry Pi laptop.
While closer in size to a smartphone than a netbook, the choice of keyboard makes this build easy to use. A 3D printed frame houses the keyboard, screen, and Raspberry Pi, while 3D printed hinges hold the two halves together.
Need to make your Raspberry Pi portable? If you have the urge to 3D print your solution, this is the way to go. Find the full instructions in the project's Instructables page.
8. Nano Pi2 UMPC Mini Raspberry Pi Computer
Looking for a DIY Raspberry Pi laptop that you can slip in your pocket? This minicomputer combines a Raspberry Pi 2, display, keyboard, Adafruit Powerboost 1000, a battery, and 3D printing to achieve the smallest Raspberry Pi-powered system yet.
Once assembled, the Pi 2 lives under the keyboard, and the whole unit folds up, just like a full-sized keyboard. While the 4-inch LCD is compact, if you need a Pi in your pocket for easy access, this is ideal.
All the details and 3D printing templates you need can be found in the Nano Pi2's Thingiverse project page.
9. Lego Raspberry PiBook Laptop
Finally, a Raspberry Pi laptop project that anyone can build---providing you've plenty of plastic bricks from Denmark.
Developed by Peter Howkins, the Lego Raspberry PiBook has USB port access, and a door to change the microSD card. It consists of standard bricks and Technic pieces and is built on two 16x24 stud Lego baseplates.
Head to Peter Howkins' website to learn more and start building your own DIY Raspberry Pi laptop with Lego.
Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Laptop
With so many potential options for your Raspberry Pi laptop project, you should find enough to replicate here. It doesn't matter which model Raspberry Pi you own, there is a build to suit every form factor and budget.