ClockworkPi DevTerm | HARDWARE REVIEW

We take a look at the ClockworkPi DevTerm from the perspective of a Fantasy Console enthusiast

Dan Sanderson on Lexaloffle has some good DevTerm resources to get you started if you do end up picking one up:

Glitch art shown in the review by patriciogonzalesvivo:

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0:00 Introduction
1:13 Unboxing and Assembly
2:12 Size and Build Quality
5:59 Keyboard
10:24 Trackball and Console Buttons
12:44 IO
13:18 Core Modules
17:53 Software
21:49 Screen
24:44 Batteries
26:04 Handheld impressions
26:52 Bootup Time
27:55 DIY?
29:33 Printer
31:22 Price
32:31 Alternatives
34:41 Cyberdecks
35:57 Conclusion
36:42 Wish
37:38 Outro

#CyberDeck #Pico8 #RaspberryPi #DevTerm #SBC #Review

[LazyDevs]

⚠⚠ERRATA⚠⚠
4:10 - I've recieved reports that the battery flap is more stable in other units. It is unclear how prevalent this issue is.
15:11 - The A06 unit's Armbian system does have a package manager. So you can simply do "apt get-install" for a lot of software. In this video I'm referring to compatibility issues for software that isn't covered by the package manager - like Pico-8 or TIC-80.
24:33 - I was able to get HDMI-out to run after all. Seems like my problems might have been caused by the socket being inset too deep. The cable I used has a hard time making a proper connection. Heard other people having similar issues. If you encounter issues with HDMI-out, I recommend trying different cables.

[luccarodrigues]

This is a very honest and well-made review! I wasn't sure whether this device was actually worth purchasing, given the huge number of quirky design choices that were made, but after this review, I think it's best to leave it alone for now. It seems like more of a "toy"/novelty computer rather than something you could get work done or even use for playing retro games on - a jack of all trades, master of none, really.

[LeeOades]

I should like this video because you're talking about a cool gadget, software development on the Pico 8, Raspberry Pis and more. But actually, I LOVE this video because your review is thorough, asks all the questions, great opinions, laugh out loud moments and an excellent summary.

[prozacgodretro]

My expectation of the device based on the photos and the keyboard mad me feel like it was sized like the TRS80-100, and was a bit stoked... I feel like I'd rather have a more "full sized" version.

[aborne]

6:50. The "I made word play" gesture this time index is what made me love this video. I'm subscribing.

[RoamingAdhocrat]

that Sideshow Bob clip is the perfect illustration of almost every encounter I've had with a Raspberry Pi. apart from the handful of times something Just Worked.
I'd love something like this but good.

[wisteela]

I didn't realise how small it is. Here's hoping that improvements are made. I could totally see myself using one. Yeah, I'd use it a lot as a retro text terminal too.

[uytin]

this channel is Fantastic. this is what i called a 'product Review', unlike Many Channels like mkbhd or some other big names who are only making ads stamped as rEViEw. Keep it up!

[trouaconti]

Loved the detailed review. You touched all aspects one could think of, superb job here

[shayes.x]

Wonderful video! I have been eyeing the devterm since its conception, this video really helped me out. I hope that the company will watch this video and take to heart your criticisms, it would improve the product a lot!

[SianaGearz]

In most Linux desktops, you can just press ALT and click-drag a window in the middle to get to the hard to reach bottom part.

Probably don't swap out batteries with the device still running. So if you have depleted one set of batteries, they have a voltage of around 3.2V or something like that, but a cell fresh off the charger is 4.2V. So you have removed one cell, so far so good, now you insert a fresh cell in its place, and then you have compensation current rushing through to equalise the voltage on these two batteries, one will be discharging at inhumane speed and another will be charging at an inhumane speed, current-limited merely by a little bit of steel for the contacts in between! This is a great recipe to make them vent very hot gas. OK maybe they were smart and put in some polyfuses in there, but then, the device will shut down anyway.

Focused writing device? Maybe the likes of Psion V or Psion Revo. I have some Psion V units here. Haven't tried the Revo, but on the V, i can't thumb type, i can't reach the letters in the middle, but i can touch type. Revo's keyboard is a little smaller across, probably more thumb typeable. They are vaguely pocketable, for some types of pockets, presumably the lining pocket of a very expensive suit, i think the Psion V MX was like $3000.

Another very useful sort of device is just a late-2000s netbook. You probably get one for free if you ask around, everyone bought them, noone knows what to do with them. Plop some Linux with XFCE on it, boots instantly, emulates 16-bit consoles and Playstation, keyboards are actually made for typing. Screens are a little garbage. 6 hour active use battery life if not more. Maybe you can install some newer nicer cells into the battery, they usually have 3-cell batteries with 6-cell option. Opening the battery pack is very unnerving, but i was successful dunking the thing in gazoline outdoors and it seems to have softened the glue holding the thing together, and then i could just twist it open.

And yeah Devterm is definitely a Cyberdeck device first and foremost.

[dondubeau]

Always happy when I see one of your videos pop up. Super informative and entertaining as always!

[wtfusernamecrap]

Beautifully written and filmed, with a relatable conclusion. I'm looking forward to binging your Pico-8 videos.

[MaddoScientist]

I had preordered the devterm but in the end I cancelled it and ordered a gpc micro pc instead, didn't regret it and this video helped me cementing my decision, it's too bad the devterm didn't turn out to be as cool as it looked like it'd be

[legerdemain]

Great video. I'm on the same quest for the PocketChip 2021 model. There are so many retro handhelds like the one you killed for its CM3 module - it seems like someone would have put a split qwerty and some pointing device on one by now just to see if it would sell. That a pocketable, portable, open, cheap, qwerty linux device basically doesn't really exist feels like a gap in the marketplace.

I hope you'll try the Popcorn Pocket PC when it becomes available.

[danandtab]

I appreciate how honest this review is. I saw this device first on a different channel who makes every device sound amazing, and a lot of the big downsides of this were missed. I hope a new version of this is an improvement because I want one. :) specifically the version with the printer

[ChrisLincoln]

A gunpla fan and a Chumbawumba reference? We are dealing with a man of culture here.

[Xpurple]

Two years later and the company is still around, and it's been shipping the uconsole for a while now.

I'm glad to support a company that does cool stuff like this.

[camden]

Great video! Despite all its flaws, I still love my Pocket CHIP. Nothing can replace the fun of bringing it into lectures and having friends struggle to write a single line of C code with its keyboard.

[donoteatmikezila]

Excellent video. I was going back and forth on this device, and while it does look cool, I think I'll just enjoy it from afar rather than purchase one for myself. I really would get hung up on the built-in pointing and gamepad being unusably poor.