Meet the Argon ONE UP A New Kind of Laptop Idea
Argon, a well-known maker of handy Raspberry Pi cases, is making a laptop called the Argon ONE UP. This laptop is not like the rest. It lets you swap out its Raspberry Pi 5 Compute Module (CM5) heart. This means you can change its parts inside as you like.
Why We Need a Modular Model
The big idea with the Argon ONE UP is giving you choices and keeping it up to date. While other laptops lock in your processor and RAM, this one lets you pick the CM5 that you want. You can get CM5s with:
- 2GB to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM.
- Up to 64GB of eMMC space.
- You can add WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 if you want.
You start by picking how fast it will be. Plus, you can upgrade later if new, fitting Compute Modules come out from Raspberry Pi or other makers.
Main Laptop Features
The laptop body has these great parts:
- Screen: 14-inch, 1920 x 1200 pixel IPS LCD.
- Input: Lit-up keyboard and a wide-touch trackpad.
- More Space: An M.2 2280 slot for more NVMe storage.
- Camera & Sound: A 1080p webcam and two speakers.
- Extra Parts:
- 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-C (for extras)
- 1 x USB-C (just for power)
- 1 x HDMI (up to 4K/60Hz)
- 1 x microSD card slot
- 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
What Sets It Apart An Outside GPIO Header
The ONE UP stands out because it has an added part. This plugs into the two USB 2.0 Type-C spots to add an outside 40-pin GPIO header, just like the ones on Raspberry Pi boards. This lets the laptop handle Raspberry Pi projects. The GPIO module can turn off to save power when not used.
Shape, Easy Use, and Carrying It
The Argon ONE UP is strong, made of aluminum alloy. It sizes at 265 x 233 x 26.3mm and weighs about 1.3 kg (2.9 pounds). Getting inside is easy; just remove a few screws from a panel at the bottom to reach the Compute Module and M.2 slot for quick changes.
How to Buy the Argon ONE UP
You can't buy the Argon ONE UP yet. It's set to start being sold on a future Kickstarter campaign. You can see a preview of this campaign now. Price details and battery life are still to come.