Whether you're teaching programming in the classroom or want a small desktop for light browsing, there's a good chance you can find a Raspberry Pi to suit your needs. Those looking to create an all-in-one without the hassle of gathering components individually should look at Vilros's latest product: the PiDock , a docking station compatible with the Raspberry Pi 400.
The PiDock debuts at $239, and it's worth emphasizing that because this is a dock, it does not come with a Pi 400. Despite having the design and form factor of a laptop, it does not have a battery. It reminds us of the CrowPi2 , another Raspberry Pi-powered laptop experience that's worth a look if the PiDock has piqued your interest.
Although it doesn't come with a Pi 400, inside the PiDock, you'll find a custom PCB that powers the 13.3-inch 1080p display panel and all the other components. It also includes a mousepad so the unit can work as a regular laptop, taking the peripheral nature of the Pi 400 and transforming it into something compact.
The package includes an assortment of cables that let you customize the setup. You can connect things like gamepads, speakers, etc. It also includes a power supply for the PiDock that will power the Pi and all of the other components in the laptop housing. Vilros says you can easily route cables under the Pi 400 keyboard to reach the PiDock ports.
Staying true to the maker nature of the Pi, Vilros has ensured the GPIO pins are completely accessible. This means you could use the PiDock as a standalone machine or a device for tinkering and building Raspberry Pi projects . The system is confirmed to work with Raspberry Pi OS, but you could experiment with other operating systems.
Visit the PiDock product page at Vilros for more details and purchase options. As of writing, the PiDock is available for $239.
