Meet the piBrick PocketCM5: Your Next Cyberdeck Fits in Your Pocket

Meet the piBrick PocketCM5: Your Next Cyberdeck Fits in Your Pocket

Ever wished you could carry a full, uncompromised Linux desktop right in your pocket? Forget clunky laptops or oversized tablets. The piBrick PocketCM5 is a smartphone-sized, open-source handheld computer built around the brand-new Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5).

Whether you’re a sysadmin needing a portable terminal, a developer testing hardware on the fly, or an open-source enthusiast who loves a sleek DIY build, this tiny powerhouse is a dream come true.

piBrick Pocket CM5

What Makes the PocketCM5 Tick?

Designed by creator Ahmad Amarullah, this pocket-sized computer packs surprisingly high-end hardware into a tiny 80 × 145 × 19.6 mm footprint.

Here is a quick look at what’s inside:

  • The Brains: Raspberry Pi CM5, giving you desktop-class Linux performance on the go.
  • The Screen: A gorgeous 3.92-inch AMOLED display boasting a sharp 1080 × 1240 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 5-point multitouch capability.
  • Tactile Typing: A physical BBQ20 QWERTY keyboard paired with an integrated trackpad (giving off major classic BlackBerry vibes).
  • Physical Controls: Two side rotary encoders with push switches and 5 programmable user buttons for quick navigating.

piBrick Pocket CM5 Hardware Overview

Versatility Overload: From Handheld to Desktop

Don’t let its size fool you. The PocketCM5 isn't just a toy for retro gaming—it’s built for real work.

  • Ultimate Portability: Powered by a user-supplied 5,000 mAh LiPo battery, it runs standard Raspberry Pi OS or your favorite Linux distro anywhere.
  • Instant Workstation: Need a bigger screen? It includes full-size HDMI and micro-HDMI outputs, meaning you can hook it up to an external monitor, plug in a mouse, and use it as a standard desktop computer.
  • Bonus KVM Feature: Thanks to an onboard RP2040 auxiliary controller, you can plug the PocketCM5 into another computer or server via USB, and its keyboard and trackpad will instantly act as a standard USB-HID keyboard/mouse. Talk about the ultimate field tool!

piBrick Pocket CM5 PCB top and bottom

Storage, Ports, and Customization

Storage bottleneck? Not here. The PocketCM5 completely bypasses the limitations of standard handhelds by offering massive flexibility:

  • Storage: Supports internal CM5 eMMC, a MicroSD card slot, and an M.2 NVMe slot for high-speed SSDs (supporting 2230 and 2242 formats).
  • Tons of I/O: Features USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C ports, internal USB expansions, a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and an onboard accelerometer.
  • Camera Support: Upgrading to the Full Camera Kit gives you an integrated front-facing Raspberry Pi MIPI/CSI camera.

100% Open Source and Ready to Build

Because the project is fully certified open-source hardware (licensed under GPL-3.0), you are completely in the driver's seat.

If you like sourcing parts yourself, you can grab the schematics, EasyEDA Pro PCB design files, and STL files for the 3D-printable enclosure on GitHub. Doing it entirely from scratch costs roughly $172 in raw materials.

But if you want a shortcut to a polished, premium build without the headache of custom PCB printing, Ahmad sells a standard kit on Tindie for $240. The kit includes a fully assembled piBrick mainboard (PCBA), the AMOLED screen, the keyboard, speakers, and a professionally printed SLA-3D enclosure. You just need to bring your own Raspberry Pi CM5 chip, storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery!

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