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title: 8 Linux Handheld Computers You Can Splurge On | daily.dev
description: A curated roundup of eight Linux-powered handheld computers from indie makers and small hardware outfits, ranging from fully assembled devices to...
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# 8 Linux Handheld Computers You Can Splurge On

**[It's Foss](https://daily.dev/sources/itsfoss)** · 7 min read · 4 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

A curated roundup of eight Linux-powered handheld computers from indie makers and small hardware outfits, ranging from fully assembled devices to bring-your-own-board kits. Devices covered include the CardputerZero (Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero), Mecha Comet (NXP i.MX 8M Plus or i.MX 95, Fedora-based), Orange Pi Neo (AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, delayed), PocketTerm35 (Pi 4B or Pi 5), piBrick PocketCM5 (open-source DIY kit with CM5), Pilet (CM5-based, Kickstarter-funded), RootBoard (open hardware shell for Pi Zero), and MNT Pocket Reform (swappable CPU modules, ships with Debian). Most are open hardware with published schematics and firmware.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://feed.itsfoss.com/link/24361/17376876/linux-handhelds>

## Questions this post answers

### What processor does the piBrick PocketCM5 use and what keyboard is paired with it?

The piBrick PocketCM5 pairs a Raspberry Pi CM5 with a BlackBerry BBQ20 keyboard that includes an integrated trackpad, fitted inside an 80 x 145 x 19.6mm shell. It has a 3.92-inch AMOLED display at 1080 x 1240 with a 90Hz refresh rate, full-size HDMI and micro-HDMI outputs, and USB 3/USB 2 ports in both Type-A and Type-C. All schematics, the case, and firmware are published openly on GitHub.

_daily.dev surfaces maker-hardware builds like this for developers tracking open-source handheld projects._

### What CPU options does the MNT Pocket Reform handheld support?

The MNT Pocket Reform lets you pick between three swappable processor modules: an NXP i.MX8M Plus, a Rockchip RK3588, or a Qualcomm QCS6490, each mounted on a removable card rather than soldered down, so the CPU can be swapped later. It ships with Debian preinstalled alongside custom GNOME and Sway desktop options, plus a 7-inch display and mechanical ortholinear keyboard.

_developers evaluating swappable, repairable Linux hardware can find comparisons like this on daily.dev._

### Why is the Orange Pi Neo Linux handheld delayed?

The Orange Pi Neo, a joint effort between Orange Pi and Manjaro Linux built around an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U chip, has been delayed partly due to a recent hike in DDR5 RAM and SSD prices, with Manjaro project lead Philip Müller saying they are waiting for a good time to launch. It was originally planned to feature a 7-inch 120Hz display and Steam Deck-style dual touchpads.

_daily.dev keeps builders following delayed hardware launches like this updated on release status._

## Similar posts on daily.dev

- [6 Raspberry Pi Handhelds Worth Exploring \(If You Have Money to Spend\)](https://daily.dev/posts/6-raspberry-pi-handhelds-worth-exploring-if-you-have-money-to-spend--wyw1o9pzb) · It's Foss · 1 upvotes · 0 comments
- [Mecha Comet – Modular Linux Handheld with Snap-On Modules](https://daily.dev/posts/mecha-comet-modular-linux-handheld-with-snap-on-modules-kqplslumz) · omg\! ubuntu\! · 0 upvotes · 0 comments
- [piBrick PocketCM5 – An open-source handheld Linux computer kit for Raspberry Pi CM5](https://daily.dev/posts/pibrick-pocketcm5-an-open-source-handheld-linux-computer-kit-for-raspberry-pi-cm5-banlhyszj) · CNX Software · 0 upvotes · 0 comments
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- [Reddit Strangers Built an Open Source Linux Handheld, And They Want Your Help](https://daily.dev/posts/reddit-strangers-built-an-open-source-linux-handheld-and-they-want-your-help-ga32k2yit) · It's Foss · 1 upvotes · 0 comments

---

Tags: [#linux](https://daily.dev/tags/linux), [#raspberry-pi](https://daily.dev/tags/raspberry-pi)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/8-linux-handheld-computers-you-can-splurge-on-rbababvli)

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