Pi 500 Maker Build: Raspberry Pi 5 Keyboard Computer

Raspberry Pi 5 fitted in a custom-built keyboard case, with internal M.2 SSD and full-size HDMI connector. And painted the colour of an Amiga 500!
My initial review of the Raspberry Pi 5 is here: • Raspberry Pi 5
And the video in which I did my first Raspberry Pi 5 cooling tests is here: • Raspberry Pi 5: Video ...
Finally, my “Ultimate Raspberry Pi 4 Rig” video is here: • Ultimate Raspberry Pi ...
The Pi 500 keyboard case was constructed using the following materials and parts. Note that all links are affiliate to Amazon UK, and that I may earn a commission from any purchases you may make.
3mm ABS plastic sheet, sometimes known as “plasticard”. Specifically, for most of the parts I used: amzn.to/3SCwjXH
The ABS sheet was glued together using Humbrol liquid cement: amzn.to/3MJ7qWz and filled with Humbrol model filler: amzn.to/3u8LduO
The keyboard I used was this one: amzn.to/40xlGY4 - and do note that it is very hard to take it apart and put it back together without breaking anything. This is sometime to attempt at your own risk!
The USB extension cables were these: amzn.to/3stsutm The Ethernet extension was this: amzn.to/49yVKzk The micro to full-size HDMI extension was this: amzn.to/49p17kG And the USB-C power extension was this: amzn.to/47vjQtk
For additional ExplainingComputers videos and weekly updates, you can learn about becoming a channel member here: / @explainingcomputers
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
/ @explainingcomputers
You may also like my ExplainingTheFuture channel at: / @explainingthefuture
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 And so it begins (parts & materials)
04:46 On the Case (initial construction)
07:28 Fit Test
10:58 All Finished
14:45 Wrap
#Pi500 #RaspberryPi5 # #ExplainingComputers

[@JeffGeerling]

I set my clock by EC videos! I would love to see the Pi 500 have an integrated M.2 NVMe slot... and full size HDMI. Having a more sturdy frame would be nice but probably impossible for cost reasons :(

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

I have an alarm set on my phone for one minute before a new video drops 🤭 Worth it!

[@neatodd]

Maybe design a case and get it 3D printed by a company like PCBWay?

[@danielpicassomunoz2752]

Hopefully they hear you at the foundation

[@anthonyrussano]

he said it did have a full size hdmi

[@JeffGeerling]

@@anthonyrussano - I mean when Raspberry Pi makes a new model, fingers crossed!

[@langam7017]

Love the beige colour. Really went for the retro aesthetic. If you hadn't shown the build process, I wouldn't believe it's not an off the shelf case.

[@wktodd]

'80s beige , matches the hair-cut ;-)

[@willmatthews878]

I thought it was, too. I looked at the thumbnail for the video, and my first thought was "Where did he get that?". Personally, I think it should run RISC OS on it, as it looks a bit Acorn computers...

[@johnm2012]

​@@willmatthews878RISC OS runs brilliantly on any model of Raspberry Pi, even the original single core one with "only" 256 MB of RAM. There's no need to use a Pi 5 for it.

[@lorenztor1990]

same

[@hankhulator5007]

This is not beige, this is egg color. (beige is a very light brown).

[@nicklukens7569]

I appreciated seeing a non-3D printed construction method. The pillars for the bottom mount screws were a great solution!

[@robertfletcher3421]

This has been one of the best EC episodes. I hope this will encourage more versions of Pi500 and to upload the finished results. You did so well, Chris.

[@brick6347]

It kind of looks like the love child of a BBC Micro and a spectrum! Love it

[@anon_y_mousse]

Part of what I really love about these projects that you keep doing is that you don't need a 3D printer to follow along. So many people these days will just say "and here's the model files to print off" or something along those lines, but you keep proving that sheet stock is faster and easier.

[@gregclare]

Awesome! What I really liked was the truely Retro case build! When everyone else would 3D design and print a 3D printed case these days, Chris surprised me by building a case just like we had to, back in the day. Nicely done, and very professional result! Hopefully an official Pi500 isn’t too far away.

[@IanHodgetts]

The colours are spot on and don't need altering at all. To me, it looks like the lovechild of an Amiga A500 and a BBC Micro.

[@JohnSmithYoutube]

This is amazing, Chris! This took me right back to the 80s, especially seeing the ventilation holes with the metal grill over them, literally every big electronic device back then looked like that! All that's missing now is a big kerchunkerchunk power switch on the side where you'd put the floppy disk, and maybe some raised keycaps. It's nice to see someone actually make something without just hitting print on their 3d printer, too!

[@DoctorOnkelap]

before the printing part of a 3d print comes the designing part, which i quit similar to the physical cutting and pasting in this video.

[@ccricers]

I 3D print most of my designs but there is something really great about building your own cases a more traditional way, with things you can just buy at a crafts store or hardware store.

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

Like an IBM switch ? 👍

[@MaxGoof]

What a fun and unexpected video! I hope Raspberry Pi Foundation sees this and and makes your improvements official, such as the full size HDMI port and m.2 support. I can understand they don't necessarily want people to be opening up the case for a finished product, but they could always make a panel for the m.2. Thanks again for a fantastic video! Also, good job Stanley!

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for this. And I agree -- a cover over an M.2 slot on the base of the final official product would be an excellent idea.

[@Tabletop_Epics]

That's fantastic! I miss the wonderful old beige days of personal computing.

[@TheDarkelvenangel]

That's a wonderful build. I never thought about using plastic card for a build like this. Very impressive how it turned out.

[@catriona_drummond]

Chris you have outdone yourself. This was such an eye opener. No 3D printing shenanigans, just good craftsmanship. you have indeed ben incredibly inspiring. Yesterday I cleaned the old grubby workbench in my shop and NOW I know what to do with it!

[@Randrew]

I appreciate your construction techniques. Watching this reminded me of my father who was an architect and industrial designer. For many projects, like buildings, houses, cars and industrial vehicles, he would build very detailed scale models. His base material was usually dense, thin cardboard, but much of his finishing materials and methods were very much like yours here. Thanks for showing this to us - the end result is very nice!

[@klaxoncow]

Haha. Love it. I was one of those people asking if there was going to be a Raspberry Pi 500, and you've delivered us the dream, Chris. Top notch work. Seriously, if Raspberry Pi do make a 500, then I doubt it'll be as fully featured - with M.2 and full-size HDMI - as your home-brew 500.

[@ExplainingComputers]

It would be great if they could be nudged in the full-size HDMI direction . . .

[@Pumpkinhead77]

I wonder how many people even use 2 monitors with a Raspberry Pi. I doubt I ever will.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Agreed. A lot of people I think prefer a Pi with one full size HDMI compared with two micro.

[@dylanwilsonYT]

What an incredible result Chris, the keyboard looks great. Must be really satisfying!

[@t.v.9696]

Well, I'm pretty sure this is one of the best, if not THE best, DIY builds out there. Well done, Chris 😉👍! A few extra things I"d prefer in this computer: ✅a faster storage connection (no USB adapter) ✅some audio circuit and a couple of little speakers on the sides of the case ✅a crimson stripe on top to show there's a "Raspberry" inside 😁

[@ff1077]

Imagine if it was a mechanical keyboard instead of a chiclet keyboard. Put in some pretty loud and heavy mechanical switches that get a bit closer to the buckling spring keyboards and it will give it an extra vintage feel and sound. I would love to make it once I can get my hands on a Pi5.

[@RoboNuggie]

Absolutely fantastic, its like a mini Acorn Atom - you should make a deal with a manufacturer to have these available for sale on the various Pi outlets.... This is a quality job..... please do more on this.....

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks for this. I do wonder if any manufacturers will respond to this. A generic case that could take any SBC would not be that hard to make . . . As a channel member you will see "more on this" in the next member's only video. :)

[@RoboNuggie]

@@ExplainingComputers Thank you!

[@michaelcloutier2225]

The colour he chose make me think it needs Retrobrighting. That is some inception level of retro nastalga, at least in my mind. Love this build. It is very well done like all his projects!

[@abzhuofficial]

You sound like the 8 Bit Guy hahahahahahaha 😜

[@sprint955st]

No he doesn’t or it would be like some weird mish-mash of an old VIC20 that will never sell. Perhaps there should be a paint shade called ‘80s Benson & Hedges lung tar’ after the shade that cigarette smoke turned everything…

[@psihozefir]

It would be nice to have two built in speakers above the keyboard and replace the GPIO connector with L-shaped pins to have it be accessible on the back panel of the computer, just like in the old 8-bit era. And perhaps a power button and a serial debug port on the side, if I'm not asking too much. 🙂 Really nice project and build, tho!

[@johnr625]

Excellent project Chris. I am truly impressed by your skills and knowledge and your presentation and the way you explain things on E.C. is first class....nobody out there comes close. Keep up the good work.

[@MrHyde911]

This channel is underrated

[@davidnotonstinnett]

Pi and other single board PCs are about to give us a new era of “all in one - display” computers.

[@PenryMMJ]

That looks fantastic. If it was me, I'd keep the case beige but try to find a black Keyboard. Then it will look like a modernised Acorn Atom, the first computer from the company that ultimately became ARM. 😁

[@kote315]

Oh wow. Looks even better than many Soviet ZX Spectrum clones.

[@dcc1165]

What a great build! What I like the most about it is you are completely transparent with your "I don't know yet how I will do that" comments throughout. Most videos show only the "successful" footage of build(s) (especially the woodworking ones). They don't tell you about the trial-and-error process it took to get the final product . I'm sure you have some footage that ended up on the cutting room floor, but the final video takes us along on your "noodling through the process" journey. EXCELLENT!! (as usual, of course :).

[@raspberrypi]

Christopher, you are amazing. This is definitely going on the blog.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks. :)

[@ericfielding668]

I wonder how much time (hours) it took for you to design / make / redesign ... such a wonderful project. Your passion for these projects shows and is fun to watch.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I would guess there were 30 to 40 hours invested in this case (plus various thinking lying in the bath after I came up with the idea!). However, had to keep stopping to film things.

[@Kwales66]

Nice one sir

[@feliksszyszka]

Absolutely amazing project, Chris! Please do make more project videos like this one...

[@surfhark3230]

​@@neenernoodleThanks for refraining from those cheap jokes in the future. Totally unnecessary.

[@fredneedle123]

​@@ExplainingComputers eurika moments always happen in the bath. Allegedly. 🙂

[@zebrasprite]

Awesome work, Chris. Retro style SBC builds are my favourite uses for the little board. This now takes the cake as one of my favourite videos from the channel!

[@panickedmechanic7536]

I love the build! I saw the finished product in the intro and assumed it was going to be your largest 3d print ever. When you went right into the plastic sheets I loved it even more. You're not spending day in CAD when you could just get right to work. Awesome build, sir. Well done.

[@sid_gm1949]

It's an exciting project indeed. Good to see Stanley the knife 🔪 helping you in this amazing project. And greetings on exiting Sunday !

[@moogik1892]

refreshing to be able to make this without having access to a 3D printer. Thanks Christopher.

[@ExplainingComputers]

No problem 👍

[@GoIdenApple]

Cruising towards a well deserved 1 million subs Chris, congratulations, hope you are going to celebrate. Still enjoying my raspberry pi 4 build which has streaming the internet to my TV for two years now without missing a beat so thanks for that as I built one just like our 4 with the Curley USB connector to strap the ssd underneath the board

[@mlongval]

Wow Chris! Another great video! This is the kind of thing that I love to see. Simple tools and materials, a little elbow grease and some imagination and voilà you have yourself a one-of-a-kind creation (no expensive/finicky/fire-hazard-prone 3D printer or laser cutter required). This is what great educators like you do; the project is interesting and cool yet accessible to all who are determined enough, even if you don't have access to fancy tools. MORE MORE MORE!!!!! Cheers from Canada!

[@m8hackr60]

Here we see creativity and innovation come together in a beautifully crafted retro-looking build. Fantastic work Chris!

[@DumahBrazorf]

Great build, and done without a 3d printer is a rarity nowadays.

[@sprint955st]

And without a £1000 Chinese CO2 laser which coincidentally some vendor ‘hooked him up with’

[@feliksszyszka]

😂 as with most videos nowadays

[@cdl0]

This is the best episode from Explaining Computers for a long while. I love the 1980s aesthetic. The only thing it lacks is a built-in floppy drive; the pair of external USB sockets count as cartridge slots and expansion ports, I suppose. 🙂

[@ExplainingComputers]

Adding a FDD would be a very interesting challenge!

[@bertblankenstein3738]

Just use a USB based fdd. You can fit it in the case (if required) with some more arts and crafts.

[@catriona_drummond]

Using a keyboard with a numpad, thus making the case wider, one might get the needed space. Might need some internal extra support pillars but still workable I think. I mean, formfactorwise this is more a Pi 600, not a 500. ;)

[@cdl0]

@@catriona_drummond It would be a Pi 5010, of course. ;-)

[@KarenNakamura1]

BRAVO! I thought it was a premade case and was amazed when you made it. True old-school hacking and bodging to the finest degree! KUDOS!

[@EarnestWilliamsGeofferic]

Just dropping a comment because I came back to this video. Great resource.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks! :)

[@donaldduck5731]

brilliant, and without 3D printing. Does need a "Explaining Computers" logo on it.

[@cashmoney2493]

Very cool! I love the whole build process you used! It's definitely my style! Very well done! Cheers!

[@richardthunderbay8364]

I have to say, I was expecting that you were going to assemble some pre-existing kit, not do something as homemade as you did in this video. You're a lot more handy at this sort of thing than I'd be.😊

[@garmar704]

Chris, yours is the best techie channel on the internet. I'm inspired!

[@BaumInventions]

The colour is nice. Looks a little bit yellowed like real retro computers :D Reminds me a little bit of a Apple IIc+. The "clearly not Apple" Apple keyboard helps with that too :D EDIT: You need a "EC" case badge.

[@Colin_Ames]

Great work! I must admit I would never have considered using ABS sheet for such a project, but now that I’ve seen this video it will be a definite contender.

[@jameskilpatrick7790]

Very nicely done. Congratulations on the first Pi 500 in the wild!

[@michaelbecker7093]

Haven't even gotten my PI 5 yet and here you are building a complete system. EPIC!

[@joeldawsey]

Awesome build Chris! Not just explaining computers, but also building them. 😊

[@rickster2317]

Hey Chris. Love the video! It really reminds me of the old Commodore 64 I had, and had made many modifications to back in the day. Although your Pi 500 runs circles around the old Commodore, it still has that Retro look and nostalgic feel to it. Thanks for another great Video!

[@JediBuddhist]

Beautiful and true to the craft. & thanks for the Sunday Lols.. Thats how real Tec enthusiasts behave Linus.

[@gilliebrand]

Blue Peter meets Explaining Computers...excellent job! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@danielpicassomunoz2752]

Woooow, this could be coupled with the mechanical keyboard stuff to make ultimate, customizable raspberrypi pc

[@ExplainingComputers]

It could indeed . . .

[@DLiberator78]

This is an amazing build Chris, I love it. I was hoping you would build a Pi5 case like this and you have certainly built a beauty. It does remind me of the Amiga 500. Great video as always.

[@fram1111]

I love your design, I can almost hear the gears moving as you were describing it. I like it.

[@ExplainingComputers]

:)

[@idowebwork]

What a way to start the day. Pi500 build, yes!🎉

[@justinsheppherd1806]

Lovely work, Chris. I like the colour choice. Almost looks like it's in need of some RetroBright work ;-)

[@jwbowen]

I like the beige color to bring back warm computing memories :)

[@johnbeer4963]

Hurrah! Stanley The Knife! This almost brought a tear of joy to My evening.

[@jimcabezola3051]

That computer is modern and retro at the same time. I couldn't ask for anything more than this (except...perhaps...for stuffing in some more Raspberry Pi 2 boards for a Kubernetes cluster, lol). Excellent build. It's much better than anything I could think of. Cheers!

[@hoagy_ytfc]

What's modern? Nothing in the last 20 years would have a keyboard at that angle, and that thick off the desk (especially at the back).

[@jimcabezola3051]

@@hoagy_ytfc Indeed, you're right. The keyboard angle IS the retro part. It reminds me of my VIC-20. The shape and colour, too, are retro. The modern part is the Raspberry Pi 5 from ...this year. Not to mention the cute li'l keyboard. The whole thing makes me tingle...in a good way.

[@SG-br9vj]

Very impressive Chris, well done 👍And already looks like it needs some retrobright 😉 The shape reminds me good old Atari 800XE!

[@SG-br9vj]

Atari 800XL of course 😅

[@MINKIN2]

Love this build! We do often forget how sophisticated Pi builds can be, and it's nice to go back to "basics".

[@TrollingAround]

love the 80's vibe, thank you.

[@peterthepanda]

Looks like one of those retro Keyboards minus the keycaps. Very nice.

[@gedgicat2063]

A great video, reminds me of a BBC/Electron Computer, your build shows what can be done without 3D printing whichbis a nice change. Really good to see how it goes together and the process involved. I'm off to buy some ABS sheet for a Christmas lights project. 👏

[@paulkelly5035]

Glad to see Stanley flexing his creative chops. He is usually limited to defeating packaging despite his many skills.

[@ExplainingComputers]

So true! This was something to get his blade into.

[@klepow]

I like the retro beige color. It's a form factor from that era. It just seems right.

[@trevorford8332]

It reminds me when I was a kid, just to see how things work. Weirdly they didn't work after, I wonder why. Nice DIY kit by the way.

[@ajslim79]

so that is what manual 3D printing looks like :D

[@gaptastic]

Great thinking, I wouldn't have thought of this design with materials used. Thanks for sharing!

[@1983Chriso]

Thats a really nice and neat package good job Chris it looks really good. i love the finished colour an it was good to see Mr Scraper helping out!

[@rutkowskir]

Hi Chris. This is a wonderful project! You need to do more maker videos. The next improvement would be to maybe think about connecting the monitor to the case and have it fold down like a laptop. But the options are endless to this build. Maybe you can also get a Raspberry Pi sticker to cover the Windows key😀 In any event, your version looks great! My Raspberry Pi 5 is finally on its way! YAY! Thanks again for some great ideas! Stay well! Rich

[@mxg75]

Nice build. I might consider using an L connector to expose the GPIO pins on the back of the case, but if you don’t plan on using them for anything, probably best not to have +5 V pins hanging out the back.

[@joeblow229]

This is really cool! The only additional thing I could see it needing, besides an on-board chunky power switch like the Commodore 64 with indicator light would be an extension for the GPIO header so those could be accessible from the back like the Pi400 has :)

[@rivertees]

A really inspiring video which opens up other ideas for me. Materials are not ones I would have thought about but will in the future. Thank you for this video.

[@johnhunt1725]

Only thing missing is a GPIO port.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I almost added one using an old IDE ribbon cable. :) It would be an easy addition to the back panel.

[@SomeKidFromBritain]

No intake fan?

[@waynefong5960]

At least the pi has its own heatsink and fan

[@ExplainingComputers]

One could be added behind the grill.

[@SomeKidFromBritain]

@@waynefong5960 Yeah, Pi are unusable without heatsinks imo.

[@Praxibetel-Ix]

Apologies for the third comment but congratulations on getting featured on the Raspberry Pi blog! 🎉🎉🎉

[@JohnnyJTav]

Very Nice... Got my RP5 with 27v brick and active cooler the other day.

[@Chris.Brisson]

If you include MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports, you could put the Atari ST out of business,

[@ExplainingComputers]

Ah . . . nice thinking!

[@chuckmuckamuck8001]

The project videos on this channel are the absolute best, thanks!

[@quarteratom]

Good job showing off a case made out of plastic sheets. Most of us don't have access to 3D printers, and this helps a lot planning cases. The final product looks awesome.

[@jacobnoori]

That turned out surprisingly polished, Chris. Well done.

[@korchevatel]

Methinks the color is perfect, goes well with the Spectrum-style form factor. What it does need though is the power button since Pi5 now has one. And also getting rid of the Windows logo on the keyboard. THIS takes priority.

[@Geekzmo]

AMAZING! you level up with this one! It is missing 1 thing thou.... a Pi500 custom label 😄👍👍

[@ahmad-murery]

That's amazing, I cannot add anything more than what others said in the comments. but as soon as I saw it, I directly linked it to the Amiga, the shape and the color, we only need a beige monitor. Thanks Chris!

[@RetroJack]

I love the finish as it is - it actually reminds me of certain Acorn computers.

[@iandron7119]

Brilliant project Christopher. Nice to see Stanley the Knife getting a good workout and being joined by Penny the Pliers.

[@max10eb]

This video was so cool, i just had to watch it again, Congrats Chris. :)

[@voneschenbachmusic]

Love the beige retro look - best RPi ever!

[@zoltanr15]

Beatiful Construction! Love your handiwork!

[@GeeEmJay]

The PI organisation should adopt your model and credit you!

[@dossaer]

A thing of beauty. So glad that Stanley got some serious work to do! 🔪 ❤️ 😊

[@ExplainingComputers]

He even had two changes of blade!

[@mradminus]

Great project, the color is perfect, looks very retro!!

[@ritmo1130]

You did a fantastic job Cris, congratulations 👏👏.

[@perrymcclusky4695]

I'm impressed! Also, I like the beige color. It has a very retro old, yellowed computer case look that in my opinion is perfect. Liked some of the build decisions you made. Looking forward to your next video.

[@mtbevins]

Nice Job. The current color takes me back to the PC cases I used to build in the 90s.

[@SpikeBlighty]

You sir, are an ABS plastic magician. Great job.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Thanks 👍

[@tekk9995]

Amiga 500 color ftw! Nice project

[@WoollyMittens]

I really appreciate the arts and crafts instead of 3D printing. Although it makes it a lot harder to replicate.