Raspberry Pi laptop dream turns into reality as reviewed by ArgonOne Up
The ArgonOne Up, a new Raspberry Pi laptop from Argon40, is making waves in the tech world. This innovative device offers a range of features that make it an attractive choice for both hobbyists and professionals.
Key Features
The ArgonOne Up is powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5). It boasts a 14-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, USB 3 ports offering 167.9MB/s transfer, and USB 2 ports providing 35.6MB/s. The device also features a 2MP 1080P USB webcam, an HDMI port for dual screen use, and an M.2 slot for PCIe-based storage or an AI accelerator.
GPIO and Safety
The ArgonOne Up's GPIO has an added safety feature that turns off the 3V and 5V pins when not in use, ensuring a safer user experience. The device uses the rpi-lgpio module to interact with the GPIO, and it's pin compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5 and most of the previous Raspberry Pi models.
Connectivity and Ports
The ArgonOne Up offers a variety of ports on both the left and right hand sides. These include USB Type C, HDMI, USB 3, microSD, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The GPIO attachment connects to two USB Type C ports on the left hand side.
Performance and Cooling
In a stress test, the ArgonOne Up lasted 4 hours and 29 minutes. The device's overclocked CPU temperature was 58.7C under stress, still below the thermal throttle point. The ArgonOne Up includes both passive (heatsink) and active (fan) cooling to manage heat.
AI Object Identification and Battery Life
The ArgonOne Up's built-in webcam makes it an ideal tool for AI object identification projects. In a YouTube test, the device's battery life was 5 hours and 59 minutes.
Pre-Order and Pricing
The ArgonOne Up is available for pre-order via crowdfunding. The Super Early Bird price is $300, the Early Bird price is $330, and the Normal Backer price is $350. For those who want to upgrade to the Core Unit, the Early Bird price is $420 and the Normal Backer price is $450.
A Note on 4K Output
It's important to note that the US and UK ArgonOne Up models differ mainly by keyboard, but the 4K output discrepancy points to a hardware or assembly issue in the UK model. Simple user-level fixes like reseating the CM5 did not enable 4K on the UK unit. The manufacturer needs to perform in-depth testing or provide a replacement to resolve this issue.
In conclusion, the ArgonOne Up is a versatile and powerful Raspberry Pi laptop that offers a range of features for both hobbyists and professionals. Whether you're interested in AI object identification projects, data transfer speeds, or battery life, the ArgonOne Up has something for everyone.
The ArgonOne Up, a new Raspberry Pi laptop, is leveraging technology to offer a 14-inch LCD screen, USB 3 ports, a 2MP 1080P USB webcam, an M.2 slot, and GPS for Navigation, making it an attractive device for various applications. The technology within the ArgonOne Up enhances its performance and cooling, ensuring it can last up to 4 hours and 29 minutes in a stress test, and still manage heat efficiently. The laptop's AI object identification capabilities and long battery life make it a versatile tool for AI projects and daily usage.
