A computer built directly into a keyboard, sans display, starts making more sense as Meta Quest’s HDMI Link enables seamless streaming to preferred standalone VR headsets.
The Raspberry Pi 400 is a compact, affordable computer that combines the functionality of a standard keyboard with the capabilities of a Raspberry Pi 4 processor, priced between $70 and $100. The PC features a dual-Micro HDMI setup for seamless display connectivity, as well as a USB-C port for power delivery and three USB-A ports for seamless integration with peripherals.
Here is the rewritten text: Paired with my VR headset, Quest 3, I’ve employed retractable USB-C cables to streamline connections seamlessly between my keyboard, power source, and headset. The setup is achieved using a variety of USB hubs, a micro HDMI-to-HDMI adapter, and a Shadowcast 2 seize card.
My explicit system features a 1-terabyte MicroSD card that runs a standard Raspberry Pi Linux distribution on a typical Raspberry Pi device. As nostalgia pangs strike, I can simply swap out the memory card for a fresh start, putting away my VR-honed writing desk with its stories drafted in virtual reality, and replacing it with a Retropie gaming console, running backups of my beloved classic game cartridges. You may create a custom card designed specifically for a theatre experience running on the Kodi platform.
Here’s an alternative way to phrase your text: You can accomplish this feat effortlessly with the help of a Steam Deck and its accompanying decktop keyboard, which I explored in my previous article. Enjoy a vast library of Steam Deck-verified games on the large screen, and effortlessly navigate the open-source universe through Steam Deck’s intuitive desktop and the Uncover app, which continuously delivers new skills and content.
Born after 2000, you may have only encountered file management systems like those used in iOS apps, Google Docs, or tools with limited storage, where prompts remind you to delete files or upgrade your capacity.
Raspberry Pi is utilized to deliver an introductory course on the basics of non-public computing, commencing with an open-source Linux operating system installed on a microSD card in a keyboard-powered PC. This setup seamlessly extends the desktop display to a 1080p show that, coincidentally, happens to be a VR headset.
Keyboard PCs For VR Headsets & AR Glasses
A standalone VR headset could greatly benefit from an integrated keyboard and a deck of digital playing cards for an immersive gaming experience. The Oculus Quest series may feature at least one HDMI port and one HDMI input for seamless connectivity via USB-C cables to compatible display devices, including the Meta Quest HDMI Link.
A built-in trackpad would significantly enhance the usability of this headless portable laptop, particularly when combined with optional Bluetooth control over nearby devices, seamless Wi-Fi casting, and effortless AirPlay functionality. With seamless ease, navigating between the PC’s desktop, VR headset, and a captured HDMI device, such as a Steam Deck on charge, should be accomplished with a single button press. Some Logitech keyboards feature intuitive simplicity, with select keys serving as trackable objects compatible with Quest headsets.
A few additional USB inputs, allowing for seamless connections to external storage devices, mice, and other peripherals, would be extremely beneficial as well. While the Raspberry Pi 400 may not be as cutting-edge as some newer devices, it still offers impressive specs for its price point, including three usable USB-A ports and a generous 4GB of RAM.
What would a future-oriented Raspberry Pi 500, built upon cutting-edge laptop architecture, bring to the table? The integration of a high-speed NVMe storage slot could be the game-changer that propels this device to unprecedented levels of performance and efficiency.
While HTC has supported HDMI connectivity in some of its headsets for several years, recent updates to Meta’s Horizon OS and the introduction of features like Quest HDMI Link and Steam Link have effectively transformed Quest standalone VR headsets into fully functional portable personal computers. Within the immersive VR environment, customers have been leveraging the integrated show system to efficiently manage a range of devices, including drones and RC vehicles, as well as various computer systems within their immediate vicinity, all without departing from their virtual reality experience.
When combined with the expected decline in Quest 3S costs, keyboard PCs offer numerous advantages, further buoyed by Meta’s plans for additional software updates aimed at keeping pace with Apple and other industry leaders. Keyboard PCs allow for seamless data transfer to any display device of your choice. As the concept combines with standalone VR headsets, it becomes significantly easier to envision people using headsets in settings such as cafes or libraries.
