An undeniable feature of modern Single Board Computers (SBCs) – quite a few of which can run RISC OS – is their small size, making them eminently portable if put in a suitable case. For example, I usually have a Raspberry Pi-based computer in my bag alongside my normal work laptop when out and about. There is a compromise with that portability, though, and that’s to do with connectivity – I can use the laptop as is, with nothing else attached. But that Pi? Not so much. I need a power supply, keyboard, mouse, and screen. I can only use it when at a desk, where these things happen to be.
A solution to this problem has now been introduced by RISCOSbits, with their new RiscDOCK.
RiscDOCK comprises a 14″ laptop, a suitable (UK) charger, a docking cradle, and a separate RISC OS ‘Computer Module’, and there are a number of optional extras such as a high-spec Linux module, extra docking cradles, a desktop cable set, and so on.
The laptop component solves the question of what to connect the RISC OS hardware to – the OS doesn’t run on the laptop itself, but on the computer module; that plugs into the laptop unit allowing that to provide power (via its LiPo battery), screen, keyboard, and mouse (or rather touchpad).
Available to pre-order, RiscDOCK has a launch price of £299.00 including postage – and RISCOSbits says that if you pre-order now, delivery should be in time for Christmas (though it’s not guaranteed).
