Introduction: Portable Battery-Powered Backpack Computer

By BruceRaf
About: Retired SW Engineer.

This is a "computer in a backpack." The idea is to have the portability of a laptop with the flexibility to mix and match different components.


With a laptop, if you want a more powerful CPU, you'll have to buy a new laptop. Want a bigger screen, a bigger battery, increase your disk space, a better webcam, want to play a DVD, want better sound, etc? Sure, you can attach these with "dongles," but then you have to manage all the cables and pack the devices away in a computer bag. Wait! Why not just put it all in a backpack, keeping everything connected?


The price isn't much different from a good laptop. But price is not the reason for this. Easy component upgrade is the main reason. When better, lighter batteries come out, no problem; just swap out the power bank. If you want a more powerful CPU, no problem, just swap the Mini-PC part, keeping all the rest. The concept is similar to the way good stereo systems are put together.


This is more easily implemented for people who use the Linux operating system. Windows will likely complain and have problems if too many things are moved around.

Supplies

The costs are examples of what I paid.

  • $189 Mini PC - Step 1
  • $226 Power Bank - Step 2
  • $110 Monitor - Step 3
  • $20 Keyboard - Step 4
  • $41 Input Device - Step 5
  • $19 Backpack - Step 6
  • $7 Cable Bushing - Step 7

$612 Total

Optional:

  • $7 USB Fan
  • $13, $39 Monitor Stand
  • $18 USB hub
  • $10 USB extension cables
  • $18 Speakers, if no speaker in monitor
  • $12 SD-Card-Reader
  • $7 USB Flash Drives
  • $85 USB Hard Drives
  • $30Webcam
  • $37 DVD/BlueRay Player (USB)
  • any USB powered devices

Step 1: Mini-PC

Pick a Mini-PC. Look for NUC boxes.

  • Match with Power Bank power output (see Step 2)
  • HDMI output - or Display, or USB video (see Step 3: Monitor)
  • USB ports (3.1 or more)
  • WiFi
  • Headphone jack
  • Bluetooth - nice, but not required
  • Ethernet port (RJ45) - nice, but not required
  • Fanless is recommended, but fast CPU PCs will need fans
  • DC power input
  • Note the power requirements. The specifications for the DC Voltage and Amps.

Example of what I picked:

  • $189 URL: https://www.newegg.com/p/2SW-0032-00006

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Step 2: Power Bank

Pick out a Power Bank that will match the Mini-PC power requirements.

  • Ideally, the Power Bank will have a selectable DC output. One of the voltages will need to match the Mini-PC's requirement.
  • There should be a USB-C port that can deliver 5V and/or 12V
  • Also, consider the power requirements of the monitor and other peripherals you'll be adding. Add up all the watts needed. Get "Watts" by multiplying Amps times Volts (P=I*E, Watts=Amps*Volts)
  • Alternate between Step 1 and Step 2 until you find a match.

Example of what I picked:

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Step 3: Monitor

  • USB powered
  • HDMI, Display, and/or USB video inputs
  • Optional, has speakers

Example of what I picked:

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Step 4: Keyboard

  • USB is preferred over wireless. The power is near and the cables are manged with the backpack.
  • Bluetooth is OK, but batteries need to be replaced or charged.
  • You could get a USB keyboard with a touch-pad. But make sure it will fit in the backpack. That is why I went with one that has no number pad.

Example of what I picked:

  • $20 URL: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053O9ZNQ/

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Step 5: Input Device

  • Get one or more of: mouse, trackball, or touch-pad
  • USB is preferred over wireless
  • Bluetooth is OK, but batteries need replacement/charging
  • If you go with a wireless device, be sure to have a wired mouse handy, so the device can be re-paired.

Example of what I picked:

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Step 6: Backpack

  • Pick one with multiple compartments.
  • One or two big ones for the monitor and keyboard.
  • Smaller areas can used to hold the computer and Power Bank
  • Backpacks for small computers are a good place to start looking.
  • Some backpacks come with USB power ports.
  • Plan how the cables will be routed.
  • Holes will be cut between the compartments.

Example of what I picked:

Attachments

Step 7: Cable Bushing

  • You will be cutting holes for cables between the different compartments in the backpack. These "bushings" will keep the material from fraying, and it will look better.
  • Duct tape could be used. Or you could sew fabric around the hole edges.
  • The images in Step 9 will show the holes and cables. The video in Step 10 will make this even more clear.

Example of what I picked:

Attachments

Step 8: Dry Assembly

  • First, configure the Mini-PC
  • Use the AC adapters for the PC and monitor.
  • If desired, replace the Windows OS with a Linux OS. I recommend the "MX Linux" distribution. Other good distributions: Pop! OS, Ubuntu, or Debian. This is way beyond the scope of this instructable. Directions for installing can be found at the distribution you choose.
  • Next, connect the Mini-PC to the Power Bank. First, make sure the Power Bank's voltage is set to what the Mini-PC needs.
  • Connect all of the other parts to the computer or Power Bank.
  • Turn it all on and get it running.

Step 9: Backpack Assembly

  1. Plan where the Mini-PC and Power Pack will be put in the backpack.
  2. Plan where to cut holes between the compartments for the cables.
  3. Consider how you will deploy the monitor and keyboard. Is there enough cable slack so you can keep things plugged in?
  4. Cut the holes. Then snap in the bushings. Or "seal" the hole edges with duct tape, or sew "bias strips" around the edges.
  5. The first image shows the computer connections. The computer will be put in the compartment that is shown open.
  6. The second image shows the keyboard and monitor in their stowed compartments. It also shows the cables routed to the Power Pack and to the computer.
  7. The third image shows the Power Pack connection. The power adapter for the Power Pack is also put in the same compartment. Mainly, make sure it is easy to get to the power pack's on/off button.

Step 10: Show How It Is Used

Unpack and startup

  • Show the backpack with everything put in the pack.
  • Unzip and pull out the monitor, keyboard, and trackball.
  • Setup monitor.
  • Unzip the power pack compartment and turn it on.
  • (speed up bootup and logging in)
  • Show final.

Shutdown and stow

  • Select shutdown (then speed up)
  • Turn off the power pack
  • Zip up the power pack and computer compartments
  • Stow monitor, keyboard, and trackball zipped up.

Show some construction details.

  • Unzip the compartments and show the holes with cables.
  • Notice I have a USB Hard Drive in one of the pockets.
  • Pull out the Mini-PC
  • Pull out the Power Pack and its AC adapter.

Slide for Instructable

  • Voice over - for part details and directions, see the "Backpack Computer" instructable.
  • Links can be found in the description.

Step 11: Optional Expansions

This is the main reason for setting this all up in a backpack; it is easy to add things. Sure, you could add all this to a laptop, but you'll have to connect and disconnect things. With the backpack, you can keep everything connected; only pull out would you need.


If you upgrade to a higher-powered Mini-PC, you will probably need to put a small USB fan at the entrance of the compartment that the PC is in.


The monitor might need a better stand. See

If you run out of ports, get a USB hub.

Some USB devices might have short cables, so get 1 or 3-ft cables.

USB powered Speakers

SD Card Reader

USB Flash Drives

USB Hard Drives

Webcam

DVD/BlueRay Player

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