This project uses Raspberry Pi and Kali to build a portable and usable handheld device.
I have always wanted a handheld Raspberry Pi. Most of the online videos needed instructions or proper guidance.
I am focusing on the attainability and usability of the product rather than just something that will sit in the back of my storage box.
I will link to the products I use and my justifications for choosing said products.
If you are following this project, you can use it as a guide to modify the product to your needs.
I have a lot of the things lying around that I am using, and I will also put links to other products I would want to use if I did not have them lying around.
I have always wanted a mini but functional keyboard for the vision of building something like this for years. I want to give a shout-out to "arturo182" and "solderparty" for making a useful and functional keyboard.
Raspberry Pi Model 4B 8GB -$74.99
I was lucky to get it at my local Microcenter in person. I understand this is not an ideal situation for everyone, but please do not pay scalpers as I have taken over 6 months to slowly gather everything I am using for this unless you need it for work and it is urgent or will make a significant quality of life improvement even if you overpay for it.
I am using an old 32GB Sandisk MicroSD lying around, but feel free to use any card with a minimum of 32GB or more.
As of writing this, I am ordering a Samsung 128GB microSD on sale for $9.99. Again, you do not need a card unless you have a specific need for storage. I might need to use it as a SQL server occasionally for my school projects, and don't want to switch cards all the time.
Link to Amazon OR Samsung
Now for the star of this show, it is this keyboard, made using an RP2040 and a Blackberry Q20 keyboard with an optical trackpad. Honestly, I have always wanted a similar product to this but never knew where to start. The optical trackpad is helpful for me. Tindie
The next item on my list was a Display. I am using an older display I had lying around that I never got to use for my 3D Printer. It uses a DSI interface and is 5 inches. I wanted a display that was readable and usable. Feel free to use any display you have lying around. I am using V1.0 of the BigTreeTech PiTFT 50, but V2.0 has a dial to control the brightness. MSRP $55.99
This is something I had to put some thought into. I wanted a battery that could give the Raspberry PI at least 15W of power.
I wanted something that was small and not bulky, with an option to charge from the side and a way to show how much battery is left on the Power Bank. The display should show the percentage, not just an LED light indicator.
The second priority was at least 10000mAh.
Charmast 10000mAh Color: A-black-S
I have paid $22.99 and would not an any more than that on a battery for this project.
You can feel free to use any you have lying around.
I am using the USB A to USB C cable that comes with the battery. As far as the cable for the keyboard, I had one lying around that met my needs, but it was bulky. I wanted an angled type C connector, so it took less space on the battery, but it is a bulky cable. I have looked on Amazon for alternate products and so far have come up with this: https://a.co/d/cbcase9 MSRP $6.98; price fluctuates; keep an eye out
I am using a heatsink and fan from some other projects and do not have the proper information, but I think this would make a great alternate product:
Waveshare Low Profile Raspberry Pi Fan
I had some lying around from other things around the house, but I am using this one.
Homedepot Link OR Amazon Link
I am also using Velcro to attach the keyboard since I want to use the keyboard on other projects simultaneously.
Amazon Link
You can also use the double-sided tape if you don't plan on using the keyboard again.
You do not need this item, but I can better integrate and attach the battery into the system by increasing the height with the stand-offs.
Adafruit OR PiHut
It will make your life easier by connecting/disconnecting from the battery and having an open connection for type-c input/output. Feel free to get any other products if they include a U-shaped connector. https://a.co/d/04ecHyK
Kali Linux for ARM
Download the latest 64-bit version
Kali for Raspberry PI has native support for DSI displays.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-arm
You can also choose to use Other OS from Raspberry Pi imager and select Kali
After I fully upgraded the OS using "sudo upgrade", the device exits out of the GUI. I recommend waiting until solutions are available. So far, I have not found a solid answer, so it's best to hold off on the upgrade unless you upgrade individual packages.
Take a piece of cardboard to cut off and decrease the gap from USB A to C cable for the Raspberry Pi.
Attach a small and thin piece of tape on the edge of the battery to provide some structural support for the Raspberry Pi.
This step is optional, but it takes out a lot of bulk and looks better.
Disclaimer: This guide is meant to be a guide for anyone wanting to build a similar device. None of the links I provided are affiliate links, and I am not responsible for any use case of this device. This is solely meant for educational purposes and contributing to the Open Source community, including Raspberry Pi, Kali, and Linux.