Skip to main content

This brilliant $150 device stuffs an entire PC into a keyboard

Pentaform, a London-based computer company, is developing the Abacus PC, a complete Windows 10 computer that fits in a keyboard. The project recently raised over $400,000 on Kickstarter to manufacture the concept, which only costs $149 each.

Pentaform’s Abacus is similar to a stick PC, but integrates all the components into a sleek keyboard/trackpad device, giving a nod to Sir Clive Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum, a 1980s-era personal computer that was equally compact and affordable.

Pentaform's budget PC is a complete computer.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The only extra component needed to make this a usable PC is a screen. This mini PC supports 4K resolution at 30 fps (frames per second) when connected via its built-in HDMI port. There’s also a VGA connection so older monitors can be used, keeping costs at a minimum. You can even detach the computer portion from the left edge of the keyboard for easy connection to a TV, while you use the keyboard and trackpad from a sofa, or it can stay attached to the keyboard when using it within reach of a monitor.

The Abacus PC is a complete solution in that it comes with Windows 10 installed, works with Microsoft Stores, and even supports Linux. The hardware includes an Intel Atom X5-Z8350, 2 to 8GB of memory, and 16 to 128GB of storage. The Intel Atom processor can usually only access 2GB of memory but Pentaform has found a way to expand it to 8GB capacity. A MicroSD card allows removable storage to be added as well.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

As you may have guessed, the Intel Atom chip the Abacus uses was first released in 2016, so this won’t be a fast computer. The focus was on holding the price to a minimum.

The device supports Bluetooth 4.3 and Wi-Fi 5 802.11 ac for wireless connections. A trackpad is included at the right of the keyboard, and there’s even a built-in speaker.

Pentaform's Abacus PC can connect to TVs.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rounding out the connectivity, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, gigabit ethernet, two USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, and USB-C for supplying power to the Abacus PC. For experimenters and developers, a 40-pin GPIO allows access to the hardware for custom accessories.

Pentaform’s Abacus PC case is molded from tough, recycled ABS plastic with plans to source the material from ocean waste collectors. The Abacus PC is estimated to use only 31 kilowatts per year if plugged in constantly, so this low-cost PC is also an environmentally friendly solution.

As with any crowd-funded product, there is a chance that production might be delayed or even prevented for some unforeseen reason. Pentaform says the most significant challenge is securing enough semiconductors to meet demand. The Abacus PC was introduced in a Kickstarter campaign last month, and demand was so high that the project was fully funded in 2 hours. The first computers are expected to ship in January of 2023.

Alan Truly
Computing Writer
Alan is a Computing Writer living in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, Alan stays current on what is…
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
A Brother printer on a counter in front of a brick wall.

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you'll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That's why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Read more
The 5 best Wi-Fi adapters for PC in 2024
The Ugreen AC1300 Wi-Fi adapter in a desktop PC.

Whether you're designing it yourself or getting a pre-built PC, it can be easy to get a computer and realize that it doesn't have a native Wi-Fi adapter. Or, maybe it does, but you're internet speeds are getting faster, game downloads are getting bigger, you've already upgraded your router and need an adapter to match your newfound power requirements. No matter the situation, an external Wi-Fi adapter that you can add to your PC setup or even laptop setup will be worth your time. Here, we investigate the best Wi-Fi adapters for PC use. Most are incredibly affordable and just snap into a free USB port and start working.
The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC in 2024

Buy the

Read more
How to pin a website to the taskbar in Windows
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Windows includes many interesting tools, but if you’re like many people, more and more of your digital life is happening in your web browser and nowhere else. That being the case, you’ll want to keep your most important websites close at hand. The easiest way to access them in Windows is the Start menu and the taskbar, treating them more or less like programs in and of themselves.

Although easy overall, getting a website from your browser to your taskbar is slightly different depending on which browser you’re using.

Read more