Ever since the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 was introduced, I wondered why nobody built a decent laptop chassis around it.



You could swap out a low spec CM5 for a higher spec, and get an instant computer upgrade. Or, assuming a CM6 comes out someday in the same form factor, the laptop chassis could get an entirely new life with that upgrade.

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The Argon40 ONE UP is a modular laptop built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, allowing easy hardware upgrades by swapping the CM5. Priced at $400 for the shell or $550 with an 8GB CM5 and NVMe SSD, it features solid build quality with aluminum construction, decent speakers, a 14" 1920x1200 display, and 7.5 hours of battery life. However, it lacks proper laptop features like sleep mode and native battery management, requiring Python scripts for basic functionality. At around $600 for a complete setup due to recent Pi price increases, it struggles to compete with similarly priced Intel or AMD laptops that offer better performance and native OS support. While the hardware is well-designed and achieves right-to-repair goals similar to Framework laptops, the value proposition is weak in the current market.

The first good Raspberry Pi Laptop

For 50$ more you can get a Macbook Neo that has way more power than a CM5.

Yeah, I agree with the last sentence in the synopsis - “offer is weak in the current market.”

Because Raspberry and it’s modules are overpriced, that’s why.

Thanks for sharing! It was interesting to me!