Raspberry Pi Laptop: Great execution, terrible timing

SUMMARY

Jeff Geerling reviews the Argon ONE UP Raspberry Pi laptop, praising its upgradable design and solid hardware but criticizing poor timing amid rising CM5 prices and competition from cheaper Intel/AMD alternatives.

STATEMENTS

The Argon ONE UP laptop allows easy upgrading by swapping the Raspberry Pi CM5 compute module in seconds, fulfilling a long-desired modular design for single-board computers.
Raspberry Pi's recent AI-related RAM shortages have driven up CM5 prices from $120 to $200, making the full laptop build cost around $600, which competes unfavorably with $400 Intel N150 laptops.
The laptop's hardware features a solid aluminum chassis, multiple USB ports, HDMI output, a 55Wh battery, and decent speakers, though USB-C functionality is inconsistent and documentation is lacking.
Despite good build quality, Raspberry Pi OS lacks native laptop support for trackpad settings, battery management, and sleep modes, relying on community hacks for basic functionality.
Battery life tests showed 7 hours and 34 minutes for 1080p video playback, aligning with claims, but idle power draw remains high at 3.3 watts with screen off, limiting standby efficiency.
The keyboard offers comfortable typing at 100 words per minute, while the trackpad is functional but inconsistent for physical clicks, making it suitable for basic Linux tasks.
In real-world use, the laptop excels for niche applications like teaching electronics with Linux or portable SDR scanning, but it's outpaced by used M1 MacBooks or budget Windows machines.
The design emphasizes right-to-repair principles, similar to Framework laptops, allowing longevity through module swaps, though current market conditions diminish its value.

IDEAS

Modular compute modules like the CM5 enable rapid hardware upgrades, potentially revolutionizing laptop longevity beyond traditional soldered components.
Rising RAM prices due to AI demand highlight how broader tech trends can unexpectedly inflate costs for hobbyist and niche computing projects.
Poor documentation and locked forums from manufacturers like Argon40 create barriers for users, underscoring the need for better open-source community integration in product support.
Raspberry Pi OS's desktop origins make it ill-suited for laptops, revealing a gap in optimizing embedded systems for portable, power-efficient computing.
A 14-inch IPS display at 1920x1200 with 250 nits brightness provides solid visuals for a budget build, but dimness limits outdoor usability.
Including GPIO breakout on a laptop bridges maker projects with everyday portability, opening doors for embedded tinkering without separate hardware.
Battery replacement is straightforward with just four screws, exemplifying user-friendly repairability in contrast to proprietary laptop designs.
Real-world testing with tools like HackRF SDR demonstrates the CM5's viability for specialized tasks like radio decoding, despite general performance limitations.
Competition from $400 Intel N150 laptops exposes how ARM-based Pi systems struggle in a market favoring x86 efficiency for general use.
Future CM6 modules could revitalize such designs, suggesting that timing and ecosystem evolution are critical for niche hardware success.

INSIGHTS

Upgradable modules like the CM5 shift computing from disposable hardware to sustainable ecosystems, fostering longer device lifespans amid e-waste concerns.
AI-driven supply chain disruptions illustrate technology's interconnected vulnerabilities, where server demand ripples into consumer and maker markets.
Inadequate support infrastructure in open-source hardware reveals a paradox: innovation thrives on community, yet commercial products often fail to nurture it effectively.
Optimizing OS for hardware form factors is essential; Pi OS's shortcomings emphasize that embedded roots don't translate seamlessly to mobile power management.
Niche utility in education and prototyping highlights how specialized devices excel where generality falters, prioritizing flexibility over raw speed.
Right-to-repair features in laptops like the OneUp promote user empowerment, potentially influencing industry standards toward modularity and away from planned obsolescence.

QUOTES

"Ever since these things came out, I've wondered why nobody made a laptop you could upgrade by just swapping out one of these."
"It's launching at about the worst time in Raspberry Pi's history."
"Raspberry Pies and Raspberry Pi OS are not really built for laptops."
"The OneUp is like a different take on the framework, but it achieves the same right to repair goal."
"If we ever end up in a sane world again, that might change, especially if there's ever a newer, faster CM6."

HABITS

Conduct thorough hardware teardowns before full reviews to assess internal build quality and modularity.
Test battery life by looping resource-intensive tasks like 1080p video playback at full brightness to simulate real usage.
Use the device in travel scenarios, such as conferences, paired with specialized tools like HackRF for field-testing practical applications.
Integrate the laptop into teaching sessions for programming microcontrollers, favoring Linux over restricted OS like Chrome OS.
Maintain spare components, like extra CM5 modules or thermal pads, for quick prototyping and repairs in a studio environment.

FACTS

The Raspberry Pi CM5 with 16GB RAM price jumped from $120 to $200 due to AI-related RAM shortages.
The Argon ONE UP battery capacity is 55Wh, yielding 7 hours 34 minutes of 1080p video playback at full brightness.
Speakers produce over 80 dB without distortion from one foot away, comparable to mid-tier laptops but lacking bass.
The display is a 14-inch IPS LCD at 1920x1200 resolution and 60Hz, with 250 nits brightness.
Idle power draw is 8 watts with screen on and 3.3 watts off, estimating 17 hours of standby from the 55Wh battery.

REFERENCES

Argon ONE UP Laptop Shell and Compute Module integrations from Argon40.
Raspberry Pi CM5 with WiFi and eMMC storage.
GitHub issue for Argon ONE UP support and notes.

HOW TO APPLY

Purchase the Argon ONE UP shell separately to avoid bundled costs, then source a CM5 module with WiFi for compatibility.
Apply a 1mm thermal pad between the CM5 heatsink and module during installation to prevent overheating, as it's not included.
Flash Raspberry Pi OS onto an NVMe SSD or external drive using a USB Type-A port, since USB-C OTG may not function reliably.
Run Argon40's Python script post-setup to enable battery monitoring and lid-close screen blanking for basic power management.
Connect the included GPIO dongle to a USB-C port for accessing Pi pins, enabling hardware projects like sensor integration on the go.
Test all ports immediately upon assembly, using Type-A for reliable data transfer and HDMI for external displays to bypass USB-C issues.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

The Argon ONE UP offers innovative modularity for Pi enthusiasts but falters amid high prices and unoptimized software.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Wait for CM6 release and stabilized RAM prices before investing in Pi-based laptops for better performance and value.
Prioritize devices with robust documentation and active forums to avoid setup frustrations in open-source hardware.
Use the OneUp for niche Linux tasks like education or SDR projects rather than general computing to leverage its strengths.
Combine with external accessories like Ethernet adapters if opting for non-WiFi CM5 variants for reliable networking.
Consider alternatives like used M1 MacBooks for ARM efficiency if needing a portable Linux machine under $600.

MEMO

In a world where laptops are often synonymous with planned obsolescence, the Argon ONE UP arrives as a breath of fresh air—or at least a clever hack. Built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5), this 14-inch portable from Argon40 lets users swap the entire brain—CPU, GPU, RAM, and more—in mere seconds via a bottom panel. Reviewer Jeff Geerling, a seasoned YouTuber known for dissecting tech gadgets, assembled his unit for around $600, including a shell, module, SSD, and charger. Yet, as he tears it apart in his video, the excitement tempers: this "first true Raspberry Pi laptop" launches into a storm of misfortune.

Timing, Geerling argues, couldn't be worse. Raspberry Pi's CM5, once $120 for the 16GB version, now fetches $200 amid AI-fueled RAM shortages that ripple through the supply chain. At that price, the OneUp competes with off-the-shelf bargains like the $399 NIMO Intel N150 or $599 Lenovo ThinkBook, both boasting faster processors and mature OS support. Geerling's build, while featuring a sturdy aluminum chassis and ample ports—two USB-A 3.0, dual USB-C, HDMI, and more—stumbles on execution. USB-C promises power delivery and display output, but testing reveals glitches; no OTG mode for flashing, spotty monitor support. Documentation? A scant pamphlet and a locked forum leave users like Geerling scavenging forums and GitHub for answers.

Hardware shines in spots: a 55Wh battery endures 7.5 hours of video playback, speakers hit 80dB without distortion, and the keyboard invites 100 words-per-minute typing. The trackpad, though, clicks inconsistently, a minor annoyance for Linux tinkerers. But the real Achilles' heel is software. Raspberry Pi OS, designed for desktops and boards, ignores laptop essentials—no sleep states, rudimentary battery hacks via Python scripts. Idle draw lingers at 3.3 watts with the screen off, draining power during downtime. Geerling praises the GPIO dongle for maker appeal but laments missing thermal pads and WiFi mandates.

In practice, the OneUp carves a niche. Geerling hauled a prototype to California's Open Source conference, pairing it with a HackRF for radio scanning and ADS-B airplane tracking—tasks where its portability and Linux purity excel over ChromeOS walled gardens. For teaching electronics, it trumps cheap Windows laptops by running Thonny IDE seamlessly. Still, for everyday use, it's no match for a $400 used M1 MacBook Air, which offers superior efficiency and ecosystem polish.

Ultimately, the OneUp embodies right-to-repair ideals akin to Framework laptops, promising upgrades via future CM6 modules without e-waste guilt. But in today's market, Geerling can't endorse it outright. "If you already have a CM5 burning a hole in your pocket," he says, it finds purpose; otherwise, hold out for saner prices. As computing evolves toward modularity and sustainability, devices like this hint at a future where hobbyist ingenuity challenges Big Tech's disposability—provided the economics align.