Portable LattePanda Alpha Handheld Emulation/ Gaming Machine - Part 1

[@The2808erik]

I would open that controller up, route the connection through the latte panda case and glue the 2 halves in place. As for the Battery I would use a Anker Powerbank attached via Velcro to the case. With a 20k mAh battery, the battery life would be sick.

[@alexrussell8308]

^ This guy gets it.

[@romds2786]

Lmao the weight of that handheld would be sick too

[@saxonsaxonsaxon1]

20k mAh might be a little heavy, but your thought process is spot on

[@The2808erik]

@@saxonsaxonsaxon1 A 20k mAh Powerbank is about 200-250 grams. I don't think that's too heavy, but he has to test how much battery life he gets out if it with heavy use, maybe half will be enough. I thought of Velcro because you can easily hotswap Powerbanks, maybe he can get away with two 10k ones.

[@saxonsaxonsaxon1]

@@The2808erik The Anker 20k mAh battery is 12.5 Oz. Which is honestly not as heavy as I thought. I wonder how much extra weight is added with a complete power-bank vs just the raw batteries? One 18650 cell is 45 grams so at 180 grams total how much extra weight would he need to add to make it usable? But the 10k anker power-bank is also 180 grams so that might be better. The 20k power-bank at 350 grams doesn't seem so bad now that I see the numbers lol

[@jubeh]

this is cool. the difference between people like you and me is that you say you're gonna make something as you're drawing a plan and ordering parts whereas people like me get ideas and never make any of them happen. but you videos are great inspiration, keep them coming

[@mikemercer5808]

I have a love/hate relationship with this channel. He shows all the gadgets I would love to be building, but just don't have the funds to attempt.

[@bENOFFICIALMASSIVE]

Same! I watch most of them and think dang!

[@TriniChiniese]

any update on this project. would like to see the complete build.

[@unforgivenk07]

yes I'm really interesting on this project, also with lattepanda delta and little display in order to reduce cost of project and put two speaker and battery also to complete handheld mod. :)

[@TheMode911]

@@unforgivenk07 Late but you could be interested in the new jetson Xavier nx, only run Linux but with a top class GPU and more memory

[@MrJleonp]

@@TheMode911 That's an ARM processor, i will limit the amount of games it can run.

[@neurobioboy]

Fun! Sure it is expensive, but this is a really fun project.

[@ronbaer67]

right. save around 150 and you dont get any help if it doesnt work right

[@Maximus20778]

EXPENSIVE!

[@NewAgeDIY]

Thanks for this update. I just received my case from them yesterday. $16 for the case and a lot more for shipping duty and tax to Canada. Had to bring it in from China. No Canadian distributors had stock ☹️ The case fits nice but I found it to run hot when pushed. Also had to remove the M.2 drive due to overheating. I have my Alpha attached to the back of a 10" HTMI touch screen. Not planning to run it off batteries. Using a XBOX controller running low-end windows games. So far it's working. I may order in the touch screen later and make your design after you get things working. I like the size and built in controller idea. I'm sure someone will design a all in one case for the Alpha. Then I will try printing it out. Until next time....

[@phoder1]

how are you not more successful? you channel is the most interesting channel I watched in a while, and the only one covering seriously none conventional PCs.

[@Nerd_hut]

Great Idea, was looking for this a looong time ago! waiting 4 part 2 !

[@pankaik]

same!!

[@ezg8448]

You took me comment! 😃😄😀

[@o0kaelas]

Love the project. Ive always wanted to build my own thing simmilar to this. Inspiring to see the parts exist out there in the world for purchase.

[@JimmieZ89]

Awesome idea! You really need to invest in a good quality 3d printer, if you haven't already. That way you can just create all the extra parts needed to make it work in a more uniform fashion. Just a shame that the over cost is so high for this. Though something more powerful that a pi in a handheld would be awesome. My biggest want is a hand held that can play up to at least dreamcast games very well. Looking forward to part two.

[@rastamouse7861]

The batteries inside of tablets are nice and slim and have great density. Pair it up with a decent adafruit regulator and you a nice slim power solution.

[@Gigator]

No need for any regulation, since the LP seems to accept a range of voltages (he mentions 5.8 V to 14V), so just running off the normal battery voltages (as long as it's at least a 2S configuration) is fine enough and avoids any switching conversion losses. Only thing you should look out for is a way monitor the voltage of the batteries (charge and discharge). Either get protected ones or get a nice little ciruit board with the necessary chips. Maybe the LP even has some software battery voltage detection, not sure.

[@maverickmadison7392]

@@Gigator Yes it does have a battery voltage detection so that you can see how many % left on your OS. If u use multiple cells of 3.7v battery in series, you need a regulator.

[@lafields86]

So cool... I've been wanting to build this myself for some time. Can't wait to see the finished product. Great job... big fan of your content.

[@archlocker]

I am doing something similar with a Rpi4, 7inch non-touch, and hopfully a modified Saitake 7007X. The lattePanda is not as tall, that helps alot! Good luck Prime.

[@HandheldHardware]

I would love to see the Rpi4 version! I too am making one but with the alpha

[@archlocker]

@@HandheldHardware right on! With the rpi4 I am banking on N64 emulation to get alot better... My parts have started trickling in, so I've started CAD and test printing for fitment. I wish you the best with your project!

[@michaelclay3958]

GREAT vid, This is one of those projects that a 3D printer would really be great to help print out the brackets, and too help with aesthetics of the finished product.

[@PhaQ2]

PAM8403 tiny class D, 3 watt stereo amplifier for $.99 and some decent drivers will make this thing rock!

[@gendragongfly]

Cool idea making a portable out of the LattePanda. I don't have one myself but I made a Pi-Tablet for RetroPie and programming purposes, so I know its not easy to make a decent portable product yourself. My idea's on the battery and sound are: The battery you described would get you less than 2 hours of use, I would suggest getting rid of the entire middle of the Ipega controller and using the extra space to double up on the battery capacity if you want to use the 18650's or just go straight for the Lipo batteries (nearly twice the capacity per volume). Consider using the battery as a structural piece to keep everything together, especially since in your design its right in the middle of everything. For the audio, I think the quality of the sound will be mainly determined by the direction the speakers are facing. If you intend to put them behind the screen or put them rear facing I would recommend making a channel for the sound to come out the front of the device. Small changes can definitely make a big impact when it comes to sound, so definitely try out the placement of the speakers before mounting them in their final position. Also make sure to use a dampening material went mounting the speakers to prevent resonance/rattling from occurring (thick double sided tape usually does the job well). Love your video's and I'm looking forward to the result of this project :)

[@maverickmadison7392]

Yeah, if using 18650 X 2 cells, the battery gonna depleted fairly quickly. 6 cells(with balancer circuits) should be great, but sacrifice the bulkiness, aesthetic & weight. For sound, its a personal preference, I would just use a bluetooth earphone, easier, simpler, no clutter & it sounds great!

[@joawesome2319]

For decent audio, I would recommend buying iphone speaker replacements from amazon, iphone 6 or above. I've done this and wired them to a pam8403 amplifier and they bring decent audio.

[@BonfireOvDreams]

Can't tell ya how much I appreciate your content. can't wait to see future videos on this device!

[@jameslewis2635]

I have been doing a similar project for a while using a Rhaspberry Pi with a 7" screen and Ipega controller which is very similar to the one seen here. I decided that the easiest way to power it was through a battery bank. The screen kit I got included a set of stereo speakers and amplifier / screen controller board. The point where I got stuck was with the casing but I have just had some thoughts on how to tackle that from this video although it depends on what happens when I dismantle the Ipega controller.

[@ETAPRIME]

+James Lewis the problem here is a battery bank wont power the panda. It won’t boot on 5-5.2 volts even a Qualcomm quick charge bank won’t work.

[@skumomcbee1255]

Retro overkill in the best way possible!

[@bENOFFICIALMASSIVE]

Dang, this is sooo cool! Launchbox on a portable device? Daaaaam!!! You'll beat the Switch to having PC games portable if I'm right about Microsoft and Nintendo collaborating. I think anyway not sure if any other portable systems have Steam or PC games? I just thought, imagine if there where an Xbox Portable system. Be pretty cool having all those Xbox exclusives in portable mode or even full new games that are related to the series. Not sure about how much the Switch will use as far as Steam or PC games go. But this things gonna be really cool!!!!! Might get one after watching more. See if I'm keen. Id guess there will be tons of options as far as cases and stuff go. Could 3D print something too.

[@toohighstrung]

Very inventive, its gotta take a lot of work to keep pumping out thus type of content

[@mammlouk]

If you're going to be 3d printing connecting parts you should integrate some sort of audio ports to pipe the audio from your speakers to the front below the screen.

[@95RayDog]

Ive been working in similar project, except it involves a raspberry pi in a 5in case and i am going to water cool it like how NovaSpirit did but still keep it completely portable. As far as a sound, only optinon is headphones or a tine amp and speaker which is what im going to attempt.

[@HEY0KA]

wow this is freaking awesome. i cant wait to see part 2. and see what you do with this. another great handheld video man.

[@18minimus18]

Do use some lipo battery’s you can get some flat big flat ones with high mah, o can easy get them between the screen and the spring mechanism

[@DoomRater]

I must be tired- I saw the e-mail in my inbox and thought "ExplainingComputers is building a handheld emulation machine? What?" It's you! How are you Gentleman!

[@BEED0GG]

This makes me think about the Nvidia Shield tablet. I hope there is a new one coming soon!!

[@KingPepper41]

See my comment above..............about the Nvidia Shield Tablet K1

[@TheOneSkitzoGamer]

I was thinking of doing exactly this. Cant wait to see where you go with this

[@brandonnewell4552]

Very nice...I want one of the lattepandas after seeing that case. I would probably just use it for my tv though.

[@jud-asinsmith-stansell2022]

Battery idea.. Get a slim USB potable battery pack (20000+mah), a tinny 3v to 7v boots board and mount it to the back of the monitor. Then put the monitor/battery pack into the controler and the Panda on the bacl of the controler.

[@edwin8808]

Any similarity with the switch is just a coincidence!! :D

[@shuaibkhan8525]

Switch or wiuu

[@andyhello23]

Looks neat. You should also tell the people how much it weighs. Is it heavier, than a tablet to hold? People may say overkill, but for me, looks like a nice project, and better then what you can really buy. Launchbox runs better on that, then it does on my laptop.

[@jamesfrain8318]

Any idea when part 2 comes out?

[@IC4N7C]

This would be cool to build. I’d love to see a tutorial/Instructables, as well as the full price, compared to a GPD Win 2, and other devices. I’d love to see a kickstand added, for use with a keyboard and mouse. I agree that you should do a Raspberry Pi version. You can actually get Windows 10 for the Pi.

[@ladindustries1570]

Any idea of when the next video will be coming?

[@yunussaid9288]

Man your channel is the best

[@Sithhy]

Definitely a project on the expensive side... but still very cool

[@jrobertsz71]

I love BigBox and think it would be great to have it on handheld!

[@nicolasmoreno8174]

A headphone jack would be a great idea. You can use it when you cant use the speakers because you are on a silent room or something

[@drixom9805]

Nice looks good already. My only suggestion would be find somebody with a 3d printer and design a case to hold the screen batteries and speakers. Personally i think the 18650 batteries are fine. Plus with a lipo at 2s 4000 mah your talking significant increase in space needed.

[@jud-asinsmith-stansell2022]

Super cool! My kinda build.. Use horse power son! Backside protective case? maybe use those cloth things that you wet to activate the harder (the stuff kinda like body casts are make from)

[@dcford12]

Hoping to see this project progress.

[@keelanmcghee1315]

I would rather have a clamshell design with a smaller screen so you can close it up and keep the screen fairly safe when not in use. I've launched my Nvidia sheild across the room on accident (I knocked it off the desk) and everything has been intact as far as I know. I would also have a controller mounted to the usb port as well as the ability to use plug and play support like the shield.

[@NewAgeDIY]

Following your AlphaPanda video's for some time now. Happy to see that the case and screen are finally available. It was a long wait. Would be interested in looking at your 3D screen project. I printed novaTecks alpha's case but it's not as light as the new case. If you release your 3D project files I would be interested in printing them out. It would make for a great instructables project. Good luck on your AP gaming system.

[@doslover]

I've been wanting something like this to play lower-end Steam games on when I'm out and about. Curious to see how it turns out but I think if someone ran with the idea and made a ~$300 Switch-like portable gaming PC, I feel like it would sell well. At least I would buy one!

[@esurfrider7687]

I went with the silicone case for my lattepanda 4gb/64gb and it’s great, they should make more silicone case options for sbcs because personally I don’t like plastic. Nice project!

[@KingPepper41]

Hi Mr Prime, I bought a Ipega 9083 controller, to use with my Nvidia Shield Tablet K1, brilliant hardware for emulation, does Dreamcast & N64 full speed, no problem. But found a problem, with my setup, the power connector is on the left hand side of the tablet, right where the left hand side of controller is, SO.............. I cut a wooden block, with a groove on one side, and on the other i planed the edges off so it would sit inside, where the tablet would sit, then put the left hand side of the tablet into the groove of the block, thus allowing for the tablet to be connected to the power while playing. I must say, it looks really odd, but coating the block with black paint, would improve it no end.

[@BEED0GG]

Hopefully end of the year new Nvidia Tablet - laptop!! :)

[@NexusFantismo]

Brilliant stuff ETA Prime. Always pushing the envelope and getting better and better.

[@Micropops]

That looks awesome!

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

Sweet project! I'd love to do something like this but basically make a nice thin Latte Panda based tablet. I look forward to your next installment on this!

[@psionx1]

having the screen sitting unprotected in a gamepad holder is just asking for it to break. edp cables also fall out at the slightest touch. the best thing you can do is tape around the edp port so the cable so it won't slide out and get some moldable plastic like "suguru" and make a casing to protect every thing.

[@akseawolf6941]

What happened to part 2?! This looks amazing! Maybe a 3d printed handheld gaming console like the Alienware UFO concept with removable Bluetooth controllers like the Nintendo Switch and a 9 inch display!

[@muhammadqadeerhussain913]

Great Idea, was looking for this a looong time ago! waiting 4 part

[@arthurrose8588]

I've been working on a portable gaming rig for my Xbox one for a while now. Your video about using Parsec on the Raspberry Pi actually helped make it possible. Only catch was I had to plug in a standard controller and place the screen (Pi official 7" touchscreen) like a mini TV. Tried a soldering project with a taken apart controller... but that failed for a few reasons. Then this video pops up in my feed and I'm thinking epic solution. The only catch is the controller instructions are lacking on how to do a hardwired connection to the computer (ipega website says it can do that, but so far no luck). Just when I was inches from the finish line, it gets moved another mile out of reach. I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have... otherwise I've got a new dust collector on my shelf bought via a link from this video 😑

[@thetruejay20]

Anyway to reroute those ribbon cables? I'd be worried about snagging them.

[@benjaminmiddaugh2729]

I suspect the plan is to cover them with something. As he said, it's a work in progress. Once he mods the controller case and works out the battery situation, I expect additional covers to appear. He mentioned 3D printing parts, so my guess is that the covers for the batteries and cables are going to be some of those parts.

[@greenprotag]

We definitely need an affordable solution for portable gamecube. Currently every option involves really expensive gear. The closest thing to "affordable" mobile gamecube is an old used laptop... but that isn't really portable console territory. Honestly, I wish Nvidia would release a new shield product. Most small/handheld portable device builds involve: A) a 600-1200 phone. B) a GPD product @ $200-900 (@ $190 the GPD xD plus is BARELY 30fps gamecube and requires lots of work.) C) Less then handheld older used laptop. All this being said, ETA has said a million times... if you just need to game and it doesn't have to be portable or special, get a used PC for emulators. You would be surprised how many games play on an old office PC.

[@salehshanteer4970]

Use redmi k20 pro 360 dollars

[@financialcrisis3538]

Damn this is cool always wanted to make a portable gamcube/wii

[@CoalCoalJames]

The more I see that ipega controller, the more impressed I am. I'm gonna have to by a new tablet just to have an excuse to by it =P .

[@willymax416]

your the best... thank you for all your videos

[@ericklazo811]

With the battery power maybe look at other portables and see if you could try some of them

[@TheRollsen]

Looks awesome dude

[@bhirawamaylana466]

At last cool Case for lattepanda, to bad it's plastic.

[@riandisaputra2938]

did you make the part 2 ??

[@abymohanan2043]

Thanks for this video 👍🏻👌🏻✌🏻

[@danildyb7683]

Interesting idea, but it's so bad they don't put there any of GPU (like GeForce mx940/950/100/130) for better fps

[@flandrble]

because that would make it twice as big. Don't get started on cost :P

[@danildyb7683]

@@flandrble, well i know , but if you don`t care about its size , it still compact and lower price than use external GPU, i want smth like that (i know about UDOOO bolt, but its still not normal GPU)

[@flandrble]

@@danildyb7683 it would get to the point where buying a laptop with a gtx 1050 will be cheaper due to volume licensing fees etc, and just gut the main pcb from the laptop.

[@danildyb7683]

@@flandrble yeah you right, but those board not compatable with sensors display and arduino stuff

[@SpaghettiEnterprises]

First thing I'd do would be to take that controller apart. Who knows, there may be space for speakers inside where you put your palms

[@tronixfix]

You should try to fit a ~10000mAh li-po battery, it will need it. Also remove the battery from the ipega controller and wire it directly to the main battery with a small voltage converter in between.

[@Blendedasian]

Won't the two charger circuits (ipega & lattepanda) conflict when you charge the single lipo? He should seal off the ipega USB just in case, don't wanna see expensive gadgets go boom.

[@tronixfix]

@@Blendedasian yes, he would have to remove the port. But the circuit shouldn't conflict with each other, he just need to put one main charging circuit for the battery and then feed that into the power inlet of all the parts.

[@dairenanisinger]

Maybe you can try with the FRAMONICS joystick that has USB-C at same side as LP type-C port, so the portable game would get real with no delays.

[@jefffersonandoloko]

Great video waiting for part 2

[@ammccoy4131]

Woaaaaahhh.... Lattepanda dabest!!

[@DaKussh]

For better resource management with Windows 10, you should get a LTSC release, remove telemetry, superfetch and some other Microsoft bloatware to reduce the number of services and processes from 200 to around 70 and stop windows from hogging CPU and RAM resources. I got my LattePanda emulator a windows that use less than 5% of the computer resources instead of the 20+% a commercial release needs to run idle.

[@mvvo7366]

how about you add an mxm gpu through the m2 slot? would also need more power though. loved the video

[@DoomWalker42]

Just finished watching this video and I see you are doing exactly what I had in mind with that joycon-style controller. I was looking at hooking it up to a 5 or 7 inch screen kit from Amazon for the raspbery pi and then hooking it up to my gaming PC with a long HDMI extension cable plugged into my graphics card. Steam streaming doesn't work well on my Internet but then I could use it anywhere in my room and my PC is small enough so it would act almost like a laptop if I were to take it somewhere. But this is very cool and I might try this but without the Latte Panda Alpha. Though I would love to save for it and rig it up to a GTX 1650 somehow. It would be interesting to see you make a battery pack for it and I know on Amazon there are some 65 watt hour battery packs for tablets or macbooks would that be enough for the Panda Alpha?

[@BmXcat902]

Kool, wanna see part 2

[@devynfox2232]

Awesome build. Thank you for the awesome content.

[@super8bitable]

Will we ever get a part 2?

[@rxzero00]

This looks really cool. The only thing I would want to do is make a portal handheld that does arcade fighting/shoot em up style games with a control scheme that has 6 face buttons, two shoulder buttons, start and select buttons, and either the SEGA signature circular dpad or NEO GEO CD dpad with micro switches. I rather not see another Nintendo style layout and cross dpad that we see in so many retro style handhelds. I'm definitely tired of the Gameboy aesthetic. It also should have Netplay of some sort but you could solve it via WI FI. However local netplay would be nice if there's no internet access. Since the LattePanda Alpha can run Windows 10, you can put PC games that are fighting/shoot em up style and even the bullet hell shoot em up Touhou Project games. That would be really expensive to try but I think it would be really cool to have a portable arcade handheld that can connect with another handheld for multiplayer.

[@dewbieZ]

Check out the the RG ARC Anbernic just came out with. . . you'll appreciate it.

[@CHNDLRvideos]

PART 2 WHERE ART THOU!

[@cliffordgallagher4531]

New subscriber, Loving the Creativity!

[@hauenpappe3383]

Awesome project! Looking forward to the next parts. But I wanna know something. I have the Ipega PG 9023 but I can't adjust the deadzone of the sticks and the preconfiguration is horrible. A large deadzone and suddenly it leaps from 0 to 100 without any shades of grey. I'm wondering if the Ipega 9083 has the same issue and hope that somebody can help me.

[@pcislocked]

do something about the cables and the screen. it looks very fragile

[@onebitterbit]

this is a real cool project!

[@zaybeee]

Have you checked out the UDOO Bolt v3/8 yet. I think it is the great one.

[@ETAPRIME]

Still waiting on a sample to ship.

[@zaybeee]

ETA PRIME can’t wait to see.

[@gregyance9901]

Great project , I´m curious , do you know of any SBC with AM4 socket ? , I know there are some with Intel sockets

[@dmick9168]

Personally, I think the sound should be powered by 1 additional battery- by itself- which yes... You would need to charge with a separate cord. However, you'd end up with much higher end sound quality, and possibly a convenient headphone jack.

[@dmick9168]

Something like this

[@tylerlovejoy8638]

I would love to do something similar but instead of using that alpha board, using one of the canyon nuc pcs, and get a true gaming pc on the go

[@lucasmoulin]

This is a great project! It'd be a dream to have the same computer for mobile and desktop gaming, it's like the PC version of a Switch. I wonder how CS:GO runs on this machine.

[@ladindustries1570]

So... is their ever gunna be a second video? I have been awaiting it for a while and have been wanting it to help me make my own handheld using a jetson nano 2gb. Or is their at least a ETA (lol) for the next video?

[@ramchandyalamanchili8258]

Connecting external gpu slows down the wifi on lattepanda alpha. Maybe m.2 and wifi share same pcie lanes. I have tried this on both m.2 slots same situation in both cases.

[@michaelrenshaw2742]

What do you think of the new 800s series coming out? I'm thinking of doing something crazy and putting one inside of my spare Wii U game pad...I started with a pi, then got an xu4, and now I realize I don't want to just stream my Steam library. At least most of it.

[@johnsontheshade]

Have you completed this project? I am trying to do something with hackboard after your review. I'm using the same screen and it would good to see what those who actually know what they are doing have done as a proceed.

[@soberizzgood]

Have you tried dual 26650 batteries, or maybe a couple of lipo packs?

[@paulhunt9522]

Did you have time to finish this project. I have looked for part 2 but I don't see it anywhere.

[@juvi427]

Is an atomic pi version of this something we may see down the road as well? Can't wait to see the finished product and any iterations in between. Started rubbing my hands together in anticipation as soon as I heard "3D print a few parts..."

[@tronixfix]

Maybe try to put a small 4G modem in it so you can also stream games from steam and your main pc and also just use it for internet access.

[@philippklei]

could you maybe try to run a VR Headset with the Lattepanda and an external GPU

[@emmanuelgallardo9811]

It will cracked the lcd monitor because it's clip on the gamepad. It doesn't have a rubber pads on the left and right side for safety use.

[@williamchuacuco8052]

Still looking forward to this project

[@bentlikeitsmaker]

So how comes this awesome project