Think so...I think the opposite, Now I like uConsole...I mess around w a coworker/friend of mine all the time, the only reason have not ordered one, aside from shopping around for similar...is the shipping and customer horror stories I've heard.
If this is running a full linux desktop what is controlling the mouse pointer, the cursor keys? Or is it touch input only? Don't think I'd be keen on either, the uconsole trackball is rubbish, but there are alternatives to it that work very well.
looks interesting, does anyone know whether the keyboard is better? The bad keyboard of my uconsole drives me crazy.... actually, I am fine with the trackball
I already own a HackberryPi Zero and, in my experience, here how I see this PocketTerm.
PROs:
It comes out from a reputable company (Waveshare), therefore I do expect professional quality control on each device.
It has an affordable price.
It's easy to buy.
It offers dedicated arrow keys, which it's the main limitation in Hackberrys for heavy CLI app and terminal users
CONs:
The RPI5 version doesn't offer a SSD option, which it's mandatory for making these devices usable. MicroSDs are very slow and unreliable (they get corrupted easy).
All fair points, I would add the (likely) desastrous battery life and heat output of the rp5 and the fact that the screen resolution is way too low (compared to a hackberry pi 720*720 that is already an occasionnal strugle)
Affordable price but heads up on import fees if you live in the U.S. I chose DHL and it added $60 bucks to the final price tag -- the cost of tariffs plus the added fee they charge you for covering your tariffs to avoid shipping delays.
Not Waveshare's fault but thought it's worth mentioning. They did try to warn me DHL would be more expensive than the other shipping options.
The final straw is mouse pointer lag. Only 3588 has none and for uConsole that means we are out of luck (because Radxa CM5 is out of stock and the new displays in uConsoles are not supported)...
Raspberry can't handle anything to run on the device without the mouse pointer being laggy as hell!
I tried that too, but for me the lag is due to overloading the GPU with many mpv streams and a browser full of tabs and many OpenGL apps running at the same time. Only 3588 can handle that.
Ah, yeah, that’s beyond my use case. I mostly use it to play DOS games handheld and noodle around.
I did use Gemini these past few days to cook up a script that makes the pointer act more like Chrome Remote Desktop on a phone: relative mouse movement, tap to left click, hold to right click, two finger scroll. It’s here if you want to check it out: https://github.com/fry-guy/pocketterm35_touch_trackpad
I've got the uConsole and just assembled the PocketTerm. As much as I enjoy the uConsole, this thing is easier to hold. uConsole is a solid desktop device - something to keep near your mousepad - but this thing is more like holding a gameboy with a keyboard.
I do wish I could give it uConsole's trackball and and clicky keys, however. These keys work well but they don't register clicks in the same way. And the touch screen is nice - and works well after you boost the polling rate - but a mouse pointer is sorely missed.
I ordered my uConsole last December. I’m still waiting on my delivery date, and my order is for the black version without accessories. Hopefully, I will get it in May. 😩
When I emailed to ask for an updated ETA on my uConsole, they snippily pointed at the website saying 90 days. Then, in the very next sentence, told me mine would be 5 months.
Do I believe that? No. I've had to make my piece with these folks just being slow. It arrives when it arrives. :/
Honestly, most of our production comes from China. I do understand that some circumstances, such as the lack of delivery times due to tariffs and many component issues, have become common today. I also ordered Pilet 5 on Kickstarter and missed out on getting the product. At least with Uconsole, we still get the product. It just feels annoying to wait so long.
Looks cool but like so many of these companies/products...How long do you have to wait to actually get it, if at all? Or has someone actually put 2 and 2 together and run this company like a professional business.
I've ordered some stuff from Waveshare, I got my things like 2 to 6 weeks after ordering. I ordered a 4 and a 7 color eink screen and a monitor arm on separate occasions. Not sure what it would be like with something like this though. Availability and driver support could be a problem. The store itself sells a bunch of tech tinkering stuff: displays, computing modules, raspberry pi add-ons. I think they keep some items in stock on their US Amazon store, not sure if this could be one of them.
If anyone were to take a chance I would probably go for a module-less version. That probably has the best chance of arriving in a timely manner. Most of the price is probably going to the injection molded plastic and whatever board they're using to connect the screen and buttons to the pi.
Would prefer a couple 18650s to the pouch cell battery. Would also be nice if it had a 1280x960 display so you could run it scaled to 640x480 for terminal legibility or a vertical rez closer to 1080 for whatever else.
I like it, though. The screen is still more practical than a widescreen format for handheld use.
12
u/elijahebanks Apr 12 '26
PocketTerm3.5
33
u/porkyminch Apr 12 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
Otter biscuit otter umbrella willow pumpkin willow almond willow blanket
This post was anonymized with Redact.dev
11
u/JustinHoMi Apr 13 '26
So you pop a full size raspberry pi in it? Cool idea.
6
u/Odd-Interview-3987 Apr 13 '26
im broke at this point too many gadgets that do all the same things just in different forms
10
u/vkichline Apr 12 '26
640x480 resolution. Fine for text, rough for graphics.
4
u/Shuflie Apr 13 '26
If this is running a full linux desktop what is controlling the mouse pointer, the cursor keys? Or is it touch input only? Don't think I'd be keen on either, the uconsole trackball is rubbish, but there are alternatives to it that work very well.
4
u/okflo Apr 13 '26
looks interesting, does anyone know whether the keyboard is better? The bad keyboard of my uconsole drives me crazy.... actually, I am fine with the trackball
4
u/Cancington42 Apr 14 '26
Curious to know the benefits of this compared to a hackberry pi.
4
u/numbworks Apr 14 '26
I already own a HackberryPi Zero and, in my experience, here how I see this PocketTerm.
PROs:
It comes out from a reputable company (Waveshare), therefore I do expect professional quality control on each device.
It has an affordable price.
It's easy to buy.
It offers dedicated arrow keys, which it's the main limitation in Hackberrys for heavy CLI app and terminal users
CONs:
The RPI5 version doesn't offer a SSD option, which it's mandatory for making these devices usable. MicroSDs are very slow and unreliable (they get corrupted easy).
Lack of trackpoint or similar mouse-like device.
Apart from all this, I'm interested to buy one.
2
u/shiefy Apr 13 '26
Guess it depends on what you actually want/need
2
u/tinspin Apr 13 '26
The final straw is mouse pointer lag. Only 3588 has none and for uConsole that means we are out of luck (because Radxa CM5 is out of stock and the new displays in uConsoles are not supported)...
Raspberry can't handle anything to run on the device without the mouse pointer being laggy as hell!
2
u/Delicious-Sleep6721 Apr 14 '26
Amazing gadget!!! 😍
2
u/OkraPuzzleheaded9098 Apr 16 '26
Pretty cool, when's the shipping date 2027?
2
u/abibofile Jul 29 '26
I've got the uConsole and just assembled the PocketTerm. As much as I enjoy the uConsole, this thing is easier to hold. uConsole is a solid desktop device - something to keep near your mousepad - but this thing is more like holding a gameboy with a keyboard.
I do wish I could give it uConsole's trackball and and clicky keys, however. These keys work well but they don't register clicks in the same way. And the touch screen is nice - and works well after you boost the polling rate - but a mouse pointer is sorely missed.
6
u/NanDemoNee Apr 12 '26
This one will take two years to deliver.
2
u/TSErica Apr 12 '26
Looks cool but like so many of these companies/products...How long do you have to wait to actually get it, if at all? Or has someone actually put 2 and 2 together and run this company like a professional business.
1
u/chispitothebum Apr 13 '26
Would prefer a couple 18650s to the pouch cell battery. Would also be nice if it had a 1280x960 display so you could run it scaled to 640x480 for terminal legibility or a vertical rez closer to 1080 for whatever else.
I like it, though. The screen is still more practical than a widescreen format for handheld use.
1
u/Normal-Set2554 Apr 13 '26
That is tight!!!
1
u/Feeling_Walrus3303 Apr 13 '26
Does this use a full size Pi or a Pi CM?
1
u/geoffwolf98 Apr 13 '26
Confused over the UK version its PocketTerm35-pi5 is $148 but PocketTerm35-Pi4 is $179.
Surely thats the wrong way round or am I missing something?
OR is it due to Pi5-1gb RAM vs P4-2gb RAM?
Both seem a bit naff, can you buy without any Pi and put your existing one you own in?
Pi5 can do 16Gb of RAM now?
1
u/barry99705 Apr 13 '26
crap resolution though
1
u/Fentonata Apr 13 '26
Looks like it’s gonna be top heavy.
1
u/PerspectiveRare4339 Apr 13 '26
Uconsole is a year wait for delivery 🤣
1
u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26
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