Hacksmith Turned Retro Speaker Into a Micro PC with the Help of a Raspberry Pi

Urian B., Tech Times 06 October 2022, 04:10 am

Being able to transform one gadget into another is usually a fun thing to do for a lot of hacksmiths. A new project surfaced involving the transformation of a retro speaker into a micro PC with the help of a Raspberry Pi.

The Use of Raspberry Pi for Different Types of Projects

Turning one gadget into something else with the help of small computers like a Raspberry Pi can be a really fun thing to do. This was done with a retro speaker, which looks like an old retro computer, and was turned into an actual computer.

To avoid confusion, basically, there was a retro speaker that looked like a computer, and the hacksmiths decided to turn it into a real computer with the help of the Raspberry Pi. Not only does the project scream retro, but the small screen also shows just how portable this micro PC could be.

A Retro Speaker was Turned Into a Micro PC

According to the story by Hackaday, the project comes from Carter Hurd, who was able to create a tiny retro PC that comes with not just a working display but also a working keyboard as well. Yes, even the keyboard was mini and in-theme with the whole project.

The original object for the unique project was a retro-themed Bluetooth speaker that came with six buttons and a bright screen. The speaker was actually sent to Hurd by the company for him to create a project with when he decided to decline to review it.

How the Project was Achieved and What Parts Needed to be Replaced

After receiving the device, out went the speaker and electronics, and "in went a USB Blackberry keyboard" that reportedly came with a custom bezel where the keys of the speaker had been located.

The display was a simple 4-inch LCD that was designed specifically for a Raspberry Pi. The interesting thing about the display was that Hurd was able to trim its corners down in order for it to fit inside the retro-themed speaker.

A Full-Size Raspberry Pi was Inserted Into the Unit's Base

In order to successfully make the curved CRT-style display front, the hacksmith reportedly had to vacuum from plastic as well as a new 3D printed display bezel. Of course, the fun part was fitting a full-size Raspberry Pi inside the unit's base.

The hacksmith admitted that although he was able to fit the Raspberry Pi inside the retro speaker, it was not his tidiest job. The article by Hackaday notes that using a Raspberry Pi Zero might have achieved better results.

Video Shows the Project from Top to Bottom and How It Looked Like in the End

Either way, the project still came out successfully, and a video was uploaded to YouTube showing exactly how the project went and how it worked after Carter Hurd transformed it into a Micro PC.