DevTerm modular, portable Linux terminal initially designed for modules based on Raspberry Pi CM3 form factor, can now work with Raspberry Pi CM4 for extra performance and memory thanks to a $19 adapter.
The Devterm was initially launched in 2020 with a 6.8-inch IPS screen, a keyboard with 67 keys, and a battery module, all connected through the ClockworkPi v3.14 carrier board taking a choice of core modules based on Allwinner H6 or Rockchip RK3399 (now supported in Armbian), besides the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 mentioned above. More recently, it also got an Allwinner D1 RISC-V module.
The Raspberry Pi CM4 module should bring performance similar to the Rockchip RK3399 module for most tasks, although it may vary a lot depending on workloads, and for regular Raspberry Pi users, software that will be more familiar, and may be better supported.
I’ve just a bit surprised it took so long, as this type of Raspberry Pi CM4 to CM3 adapter was introduced as soon as Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 was announced in October 2020.
Maybe that’s because there are some caveats:
- Raspberry Pi CM4 modules without on-board WiFi/Bluetooth module will NOT be able to use wireless connectivity, even though there’s a WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 module on the ClockworkPi v3.14 mainboard.
- Raspberry Pi CM4 modules with built-in eMMC flash cannot make use of the SD card socket on the ClockworkPi v3.14 mainboard.
The recommended modules are Raspberry Pi CM4 Lite and any Raspberry Pi CM4 with at least 8GB eMMC flash. We also learn that battery life should be 5 to 6 hours with the Raspberry Pi CM4 DevTerm in the Twitter thread that announced the adapter.
The adapter with a WiFi antenna and ultra-thin heatsink set can be purchased for $19 plus shipping on ClockWorkPi website, or alternatively, you could purchase a DevTerm kit for $238 with everything you need minus the Raspberry Pi CM4. The most tricky part may be finding a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 for sale…
Via Liliputing
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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