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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Pico Computer 3: Keyboard edition

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matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11988

Posted: 10:24am 13 Oct 2026

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I thought it might be fun to re-do the Pico Computer 3 in a form that could be built into a keyboard. This is the identical circuit with the addition of an internal USB header, a 5V header, and a 3.3V header. I haven't built it but if anyone is interested I can post the gerbers. It passes all the design rule checks and as the circuit is the same it should just work.
The idea is that you could take a usb or bluetooth keyboard and with a bit of modification build this circuit into it. Everything you need is accessible along single edge of the board.
The board is 225x48mm

hhtg1968
Senior Member

Joined: 25/05/2023
Location: Germany
Posts: 242

Posted: 11:06am 13 Oct 2026

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cool idea.

I am searching in the internet for a keyboard case/ housing. or for a version to print in 3d...

I like my old amstrad cpc 464 and c64 very much.

perhaps it fits into an eyisting keyboard...

what is the height of the board incl. components?

perhaps you can arrange the usb ports side by side (not above)?

matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11988

Posted: 11:19am 13 Oct 2026

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height is identical to a normal PC3 which is the height of the USB connectors, just under 20mm from the biggest solder blob to the top of the usb connector

hhtg1968
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Joined: 25/05/2023
Location: Germany
Posts: 242

Posted: 11:44am 13 Oct 2026

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thank you.

and what is your opinion to usb ports side by side to reduce hight?

RENATO
Newbie

Joined: 17/08/2026
Location: Italy
Posts: 1

Posted: 12:10pm 13 Oct 2026

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Good morning! I'm writing from Italy. Congratulations on the idea of bringing it to a "keyboard" format. I'm working on a mechanical keyboard with customizable linear mechanical keys...

Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 9181

Posted: 12:11pm 13 Oct 2026

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It takes up a lot more space along the back. A bit more than twice as much as using two doubles as you have to leave an extra gap. The double ones are about 15mm high from the surface of the PCB. A single horizontal sticks up a touch under 7mm.

For comparison the RTC battery holder sticks up about 8mm above the board and male pin headers around 9mm.

Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini

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