ClockworkPi DevTerm

The ClockworkPi DevTerm is a modular portable terminal launched in 2021, built for programmers, makers and fans of Linux and retro-computing rather than as a classic games console. It blends the look of vintage terminals with modern internals. The compute module is swappable, with ARM or RISC-V options, and memory ranges from 1 GB to 2 GB or 4 GB of LPDDR2/LPDDR3 depending on the chosen core.

Because CPU and GPU depend on the module you install, performance varies. On capable configurations it runs everything up to SNES Super FX titles and 3D PlayStation games at 60 FPS. Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS are playable but can be laggy. The supported platform list is long, from Atari, Commodore 64, Amiga, MSX, ZX Spectrum and MS-DOS to ScummVM, Pico-8 and arcade via MAME and Final Burn Neo. A fan and ventilation cutouts help keep the system cool under load.

The 6.8-inch IPS screen has an unusual ultra-wide 8:3 aspect ratio, 1280 x 480 resolution, about 201 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate. That shape suits terminal sessions, code editors and lightweight desktop apps, while classic 4:3 games will not fill the full width. There is no glass lens, only a screen protector.

Input is built around a full QWERTY keyboard, a trackball and three mouse buttons. For gaming there is a d-pad made of separated buttons in the upper area and four face buttons. There are no analog sticks, no shoulder buttons and no rumble, so 3D titles that expect them are less comfortable. Volume has a dedicated button, while brightness is set through the menu. The plastic body measures 195 x 150 x 30 mm.

Power comes from two swappable 18650 cells charged over USB-C. Connectivity is generous for a handheld, with three USB-A ports, an expansion port, Micro HDMI video output and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also offers WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. Dual internal stereo speakers handle audio.

The DevTerm runs Linux and supports Clockwork OS, with storage on microSD cards (microSDHC and microSDXC). You can switch operating systems quickly, try several Linux distributions, back up easily and fully customize your environment. It is not a plug-and-play product; it rewards users who want full control.

Ideal for: developers, Linux learners, open-source and DIY tinkerers, and retro-computing fans who want a pocketable workstation that also handles emulation up to PlayStation.