Making a Modular Framework 13 Handheld | Part 1: The Guts

Hey, I'm Tommy B and 2 years ago I made this project which is now in pieces.

This was a Framework 13 motherboard turned into a portable gaming device.

Now this project was awesome and had a great response from the community.

However, even in that video I noted there were a few problems that I want to address and that is what I'm here to do today. At the end of that video I

today. At the end of that video I actually gave myself a bit of an action item and that was to address the controller situation. I actually wanted

controller situation. I actually wanted to make a controller that could split and detach. So if you've been watching

and detach. So if you've been watching my channel you probably already know what I'm talking about and that is this.

This is my open split deck project which is an open source DIY project that is like a Steam controller and it splits.

The issue that this resolves in the new project and I won't really say resolves but the original Framework handheld was incredibly heavy and that wasn't something I actually could address. The

motherboard and the battery weigh a certain amount. There's nothing I can do

certain amount. There's nothing I can do about that. So for this version I'm

about that. So for this version I'm going to lean into it a little bit and let you be able to detach the controllers. I want the Framework to

controllers. I want the Framework to have flip out feet so you could set it on a table and attach the controller and play it like it's a miniature console.

Or if you want to play with it in your lap you can put it on the sides, put it up on your knees. It's kind of actually how I use my Steam Deck and play it that way. So I feel like it's a good

way. So I feel like it's a good compromise from how heavy the controller is. That the last one just didn't really

is. That the last one just didn't really have any options. It was kind of a lap gaming situation always. However, there

were a few other issues with the Framework gaming handheld that I wanted to address. First is that I felt like it

to address. First is that I felt like it had really lost its identity as being a Framework device. You couldn't really

Framework device. You couldn't really open it and customize it and it there was no modularity to it. So this version is going to be modular. Second issue and this is a big one, no pun intended, but

you needed a very large 3D printer to print something this big. So this

version here is going to be tailored to fit on all standard size 3D printers.

That's 250 mm. This video is going to be one of I think two videos and it's going to show a much more of the build process than I did last time. So, without any more hesitation, let's go right into the build.

Because of Sam Altman's endless quest to generate the most photorealistic picture of a cat girl, there is a global supply shortage of memory. Luckily, I had some foresight, and I bought this memory for

a little way too much, but what I did not buy was an SSD. So, unfortunately, we are going

an SSD. So, unfortunately, we are going to disassemble the original Framework to handheld. Honestly, I'm not super upset

handheld. Honestly, I'm not super upset about it. I have not used it in a long

about it. I have not used it in a long time, but I do want to prove to you guys there it is, it's still working. You'll

see the buttons have gotten a little faded or sun-bleached. Uh it seems to not like the sunlight. It was sitting in a bit of direct sunlight for a while, but we are going to sacrifice this one for the greater good and build the new

Framework Deck. So, let me go ahead and

Framework Deck. So, let me go ahead and turn this off. Because I am recycling a lot of the parts here, I'll be able to take the Wi-Fi card, the battery, and the SSD, and that'll save me a ton of money and effort. It was an awesome

project. I will totally repurpose this

project. I will totally repurpose this Framework motherboard. Woo, this has not

Framework motherboard. Woo, this has not been opened in a long time.

So, this here is the little video adapter that I did this the HDMI cable.

I'm going to try to figure out a different solution for this. There is a way to hook up an adapter straight to like the integrated display port on the Framework motherboard. We're also going

Framework motherboard. We're also going to take the speakers with us.

You know, this is what's so cool about Framework is cuz even though this motherboard is from like 3-4 years ago, it might even be older. Uh these parts are still going to work with the new one. Can I say that? RAM won't because

one. Can I say that? RAM won't because this is DDR4, and the new one's DDR5, but the other parts will still work.

Oh.

I take the Wi-Fi card.

Oh.

You can really see here the sun damage that happened to these cuz you look at the side did not touch sound perfectly white and nice.

So, there's my SSD I'm going to use in the new one, Wi-Fi card, battery, and the antenna, speakers. Let's get this all cleaned up and then let's start putting it in the new board and see how

it goes. Huge shout out to Framework for

it goes. Huge shout out to Framework for sending me over this board to use for this project. This is their newest

this project. This is their newest Framework Laptop 13 motherboard. It uses

the AMD AI 300 series. This is a top-of-the-line one, the AI 9 HX370 board. So, this might be the most

board. So, this might be the most powerful handheld to exist, honestly.

And the other star of the show for this project, I really wanted to ball out and so I went on AliExpress and bought an OLED screen by some company called Wise Coco. And I've already tested it and

Coco. And I've already tested it and messed with it a bit. It's beautiful.

You see I've already put it in a little 3D printed frame to hold it. But, this

is a big, big screen which should better match the width of the main board. This

is going to be bigger. Uh it's got a touchscreen integrated and it all has one driver board. But, yeah, the big downside of this screen is that it is 60 hertz, which is average for most screens and will be fine for [snorts]

gaming on a handheld, I think. I mean, a higher refresh rate screen is of course preferable like the Steam Deck OLED has a 90 hertz screen. I just can't find them like available to buy higher refresh rate screens in these smaller

sizes. If you guys have leads, I mean,

sizes. If you guys have leads, I mean, let me know in the comments, but for right now I have this. This is an 11 and 1/2 inch OLED screen and it is beautiful and we will be messing with this today.

That is the big goal of the project today is to kind of get everything functioning together before we get it all into a case. So, I've already started my 3D modeling kind of design process and it was the same thing I did

last time where I started with the 3D model that the person made of like the tablet version and tried to expand from there. I haven't done much so these are

there. I haven't done much so these are still all the like experimentation pieces. I decided and it was requested

pieces. I decided and it was requested that I should show a little more of the design process. So, here's where I'm at.

design process. So, here's where I'm at.

I've basically made pieces just to kind of try to like LEGO them together. For

example, this one here is for the battery. Totally forgot that on this

battery. Totally forgot that on this battery I had cut off the little part here that would fit right here. But

anyway, for the battery, the idea is that it'll just kind of slot in like this. I also forgot that the antenna was

this. I also forgot that the antenna was attached to the battery, so I'll have to adjust that to the battery fits in kind of like this. So that's that in there.

Now the motherboard should sit in here.

I haven't really fleshed out the design at all. And then we're going to put the

at all. And then we're going to put the screen in here, too. So hopefully we can get them all to interact and hang out.

The idea is once I have them in pieces, I can then put them together, you know, like literally just sort of like stack them and just see what's the best orientation that we can get it all to fit. That's sort of my idea this time

fit. That's sort of my idea this time around. So let's go ahead and open this

around. So let's go ahead and open this up. You can see it's sealed. I've not

up. You can see it's sealed. I've not

opened this.

Should I just pivot to an unboxing channel? I think people would really

channel? I think people would really like that. Fits in perfect. You can see

like that. Fits in perfect. You can see it actually lines up the USB ports right here. Let's go ahead and attach the SSD.

here. Let's go ahead and attach the SSD.

We can hook up the speakers, this, and then you just kind of see how it looks.

So this is only 16 gigs of RAM. And

that's just because even though I did get in right as RAM prices were going up, it still was just an absurd price.

Let me talk a little bit about my idea here, though. I want the battery to be

here, though. I want the battery to be on the other side of the motherboard this time, so that theoretically the back of the handheld could come off and you could access this stuff easily. Part

of the issue I really disliked on my old one is that I lost a lot of the customization ability of the framework.

So if I can get better access to this, where you could open it up easily and replace this, replace these, which is I think it would it would really help with like the identity of what this product is really supposed to be. So that means

that the battery is going to be on this side is sort of the intention. All

right, so that means this connector needs to come in over this way. And then

something because, you know, since I'm going to mount it on the other way, airflow might be different. I want to actually make it tilted a little bit, and so I can route air have air come in from here, have it come across, and then pulled into the fan here, which then

it'll spit out this way. Kind of my general idea. Okay, I'm not going to

general idea. Okay, I'm not going to plug this in just yet. First, we're

going to Well, let's plug in the speakers while we're here. And then, we will set up the screen. So, I've already been messing with the screen. You see I already have it in a little 3D printed frame. This is just an updated version

frame. This is just an updated version of that, where it which should mount the driver board. And then, I have a little

driver board. And then, I have a little back to it just to keep it protected.

It's not actually how it's going to be in the case, but just to keep it protected. Cool. So, now I have the

protected. Cool. So, now I have the screen in here. It sits flush with the surface. I mean, the blue tape kind of

surface. I mean, the blue tape kind of hides that, but it's actually fits perfectly in here.

Driver board's in. So, now these little ribbon cables will fold gently. So, one

thing about this, I feel like maybe people watching think I know what I'm doing when I'm doing all this stuff. I

really don't. I am just making this up as I go. And sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. This case here just goes on the back. I actually made it so I could put heat set inserts. I'm

not going to do that. I'll just put some tape. Let's see if this HDMI cable thing

tape. Let's see if this HDMI cable thing will work. So, this screen is actually

will work. So, this screen is actually 1440p screen, and these little cables, I don't think are actually rated to do a resolution that high. So, I will will see how it works out. This is just for

testing. We'll of course find better

testing. We'll of course find better ways to connect this. But, this will work. This will work. And then, this is

work. This will work. And then, this is actually going to wrap around kind of like this. I think now you're going

like this. I think now you're going getting an inside look at how really scuffed this actually is when I start assembling things. This I had messed

assembling things. This I had messed with in the last video. What this is is a little adapter for the embedded DisplayPort to HDMI. Oh my god, this is

insane. All right. So, all I'm going to

insane. All right. So, all I'm going to do now is just give it some power and see if it boots. I'm a little scared.

This SSD does have the Ubuntu image from the old one. A lot of people gave me flak for Ubuntu. We are going to wipe it and put Batocera on it. Don't you worry.

But, for now, we're just going to see if it can boot.

Go ahead and plug in the Framework mainboard. All right, we're getting

mainboard. All right, we're getting lights. I think those lights are Is it

lights. I think those lights are Is it the chassis intrusion switch? No. Well,

similar to the last one, there's a little switch here that I can use to turn it on directly. Fan is spinning.

Fan stopped spinning. Seems to not be happy with me. What am I missing to boot? I have RAM. All right, I'm going

boot? I have RAM. All right, I'm going to Google it. It's flashing blue and red. Oh, apparently this is memory

red. Oh, apparently this is memory training. That would make sense. So, I

training. That would make sense. So, I

think I have to give it a little bit.

So, let's give it a little bit and see what happens. I'm going to turn off the

what happens. I'm going to turn off the camera, but I'm just going to let sit and see if anything changes. Okay,

literally as soon as I turn off the camera, the fan started spinning. Now

it's flashing green. Okay, back to this, but fan is spinning. I'm going to just leave the camera rolling at this point.

The screen has done nothing.

A few hours have passed. Let me fill you in on what's happening. I was able to get it to boot and it boots fine on this screen here. Let me demonstrate. But,

screen here. Let me demonstrate. But,

this is a crappy little like 800p screen and this is over a little USB adapter. I

was actually able to get this screen to boot with these little eDP-HDMI adapters. This worked. There it is,

adapters. This worked. There it is, straight Ubuntu. So, that is working.

straight Ubuntu. So, that is working.

So, it was making me think that this screen isn't working. But, I checked this screen with my Steam Deck and it does work. But, what I think is going on

does work. But, what I think is going on is that this screen has a resolution of 1440 by 2600, very specific. I think

that if it's not getting that resolution, it just doesn't want to turn on. That's my best guess. I plugged my

on. That's my best guess. I plugged my phone into it, nothing happened. I

plugged this into it, nothing happened.

That's with both the eDP-HDMI adapters or this USB-HDMI. It still won't boot.

The only thing that'll actually get this screen to turn on seems to be my Steam Deck and I haven't tried yet, but probably my laptop, too. I'm wondering

if maybe I try to get this to boot with two screens and then I can manually set the resolution of the other one if it'll let me, or do I just need to find a different option altogether?

It just sucks cuz this screen was really expensive and it's honestly like when I have booted up with my Steam Deck, it's beautiful, it's a beautiful screen. But,

this is just such a headache now. I

don't know. At least I've confirmed my Framework motherboard does work. I'm

going to have to keep experimenting with this and see what the is going on with it. Um but, I might have to buy

with it. Um but, I might have to buy another screen. Cool. Cool cool cool

another screen. Cool. Cool cool cool cool cool. Cool cool cool. Well, I guess

cool cool. Cool cool cool. Well, I guess next time I see you guys, I'll have figured out what I'm going to do about my screen situation.

This is frustrating.

[bell] All right. So, it's been a couple days,

All right. So, it's been a couple days, and I have since picked up this. Now,

this is about as generic and uh as you could get.

Can I say that? This screen actually has the exact same resolution as this one.

So, you would think it might have the same problem I was discussing before.

But, let me describe it a little further. The The resolution of the

further. The The resolution of the screen, I don't think is the problem. I

think it's actually the driver board itself. So, like this That's this board

itself. So, like this That's this board right here. And that the driver board is

right here. And that the driver board is having trouble negotiating a resolution with the Framework that works, at least through the adapters or through the EDP to HDMI boards. However, this one, even

though I think it is the exact same display because it's the same size, 10 and 1/2 in and same resolution, which is like 2600 by 1400 1200 something like that. I forget.

They're probably identical panels. I

mean, they even kind of look like it.

I'll compare here in a second. But, this

here actually supports just a USB type C cable for the video and touch, which that driver board doesn't, which tells me there's a different video driver board in here. Now, I've already tested this, and it works with my phone. It

works with the Steam Deck. It works with my laptop. We'll have to see if it works

my laptop. We'll have to see if it works with the Framework. I'm assuming it will. Let's take a look at this. It does

will. Let's take a look at this. It does

come with this fun little stand. So,

maybe we can find a way to incorporate it into my final design, right? So, I

can have a stand. But, anyway, we don't need it. Now, this is a portable

need it. Now, this is a portable monitor, as they call it. And it does actually simplify the whole project a lot. And maybe that's a good thing.

lot. And maybe that's a good thing.

Rather than playing with raw displays that if someone wants to recreate this, they they just buy this ready-made thing and just slot it into place. So,

actually going to be simpler. It's only

going to use the one USB connector for everything. And I don't know, it's

everything. And I don't know, it's self-containing. It does have its own

self-containing. It does have its own speakers on the side. So, that means I don't have to use the speakers for the Framework, so it'll simplify the part list for this. And it has its own headphone jack, so I won't need to get the headphone jack board for the

Framework either. So, maybe this is for

Framework either. So, maybe this is for the best. It simplifies the project a

the best. It simplifies the project a bit, which will make it easier for people to reproduce. So, maybe that is the right way. But anyway, yeah, let's go ahead. I'm going to plug this in

go ahead. I'm going to plug this in through a type C cable to that. So, with

the one cable solution, it's going to do touch and video, which means I won't have to play with this eDP to HDMI adapter, because I'm going to need to use a USB port anyway for touch. And

since it's all over one cable, I am simplifying things a bit. You know, the the other solution would be if I get the little shim board here that gives me access to the USB that's on this little connector, I can then run HDMI as well

and then have all four ports. But I

don't know if that's really worth all the trouble that it'll be. I mean, this really simplifies the design a lot. So,

I'm going to plug in the Framework main board and see if we can get a display on here. Please work.

here. Please work.

Please work. I'm sure you guys can notice that I'm really trying to look at the positives here. I'm trying to be an optimist about my whole headache.

Another thing about this screen that is cool, this is cheaper than that one.

Even though I'm fairly certain it's the exact same panel. Like literally, that's got to be the exact same panel, right?

The bezels are the same. So, these panel do look identical. They have the literally the same bezels. But for

whatever reason, this was $118 on Amazon. This, I don't want to say how

on Amazon. This, I don't want to say how much I spent on it, but it was a lot more on AliExpress. And this is a whole self-contained unit. This is a raw

self-contained unit. This is a raw display and a driver board. So, this

might just be a better solution overall.

I don't know if that's cope. It might be cope. I don't know if it'll just boot

cope. I don't know if it'll just boot straight out. All right, I'm going to

straight out. All right, I'm going to push the power button.

It's got no battery connected, so it might not be happy with me. I don't

know. Fan spinning.

You You what? It might be doing memory training again because it's been without the battery. We'll give it a minute.

the battery. We'll give it a minute.

Oh, okay. It just straight booted into here. Does the touchscreen work?

here. Does the touchscreen work?

Touchscreen works. So, this is an OLED screen. I was worried it wouldn't be for

screen. I was worried it wouldn't be for $118 on Amazon. This is functioning.

How's my audio? It's off those speakers, but I'm sure I can adjust power sound.

I'll I'll figure that out later. This is

huge. This all does work together. Of

course, I I can assume it works with the battery. I think next step here is I'm

battery. I think next step here is I'm going to get to my desk and do a little more 3D modeling. Let's think about the angle we want that battery to be to provide a little bit of breathing room.

One thing with this screen, too, when I was messing with it, I noticed it get warm down here. This should be able to cool passively, but it needs access to the air outside. So, just some vents on the bottom, I think, is really all I

need. Awesome. I'm happy with this.

need. Awesome. I'm happy with this.

Let's get to the desk, do a little 3D modeling, and print out some more parts.

So, everybody, we're all going to first agree to not make fun of Tommy B and his super messy office right now. This is

also doubling as storage in my place, and I need to organize it. We're going

to all agree that that Tommy B is awesome. We're not going to make fun of

awesome. We're not going to make fun of his uncleanly office space and desk.

Nevertheless, this is what I've got right now. Because we're not going to

right now. Because we're not going to use this display anymore, we can just go ahead and and get rid of it. So, this is really what we got. This is that battery sled and motherboard. You'll see the motherboard will face out. This is the back case, I call it bottom sled. This

is the back casing, which still figuring it out. What I'm first going to do is I

it out. What I'm first going to do is I need to figure out how much I can tilt that battery. And to do that, I want to

that battery. And to do that, I want to find like how thick can I really make this? I'm going to use my Steam Deck

this? I'm going to use my Steam Deck controller, obviously, to be the controller for this project. So,

starting from here, it's going to have to slot in on the sides and hopefully actually be covered a little bit cuz it needs that strength to be able to pick it up. So, I want it to be bigger than

it up. So, I want it to be bigger than this like width-wise so it can wrap around. These are of course the

around. These are of course the connector pieces of the Steam Deck controller, right? These pieces. So, I

controller, right? These pieces. So, I

want to know the the width of this. This

is 21, call it 22. I make it about 2 mm thick on each side, which should hopefully be strong enough. Then we're

looking at 26 mm in total. This is just battery and mobo, what are we looking at? That's 16. I can go another 10. How

at? That's 16. I can go another 10. How

thick is my portable monitor? 9.4. This

could be perfect. Okay, but like I was mentioning, I want to tilt that battery to give it some room off the back of the mobo and also to give it some room off the back of the display. Just to get let

everything breathe. I don't know what

everything breathe. I don't know what I'm doing, but it just seems like a good idea, right? All right, if I just do

idea, right? All right, if I just do 5°. That seems like

5°. That seems like if anything too much. What if I did just minus two? That's a bit of space in

minus two? That's a bit of space in there, right? That should be enough for

there, right? That should be enough for it to be able to breathe. And then if I measure here to here, what's that look like? 4.5.

like? 4.5.

You gain some thinness by actually moving the case down to where the battery actually connects. I can slice that off. Is that enough angle for it to

that off. Is that enough angle for it to breathe or does this make it too thick potentially? All right, next step I need

potentially? All right, next step I need to make a 3D model of the screen I have.

Luckily, it is just a rectangle with rounded corners. I don't expect to get

rounded corners. I don't expect to get this exactly right. I'm going to be able to print more things. So, I'm just trying to get as close as I can first try and I'll adjust as needed. I'm going

to call it 9.4 cuz that was the thickest side. Cool. And I can name this OLED

side. Cool. And I can name this OLED screen.

All right, well you get the gist of what I'm going on here. Let me line everything up more and print out some more stuff. Next time I'll see you I'll

more stuff. Next time I'll see you I'll have something that more resembles what we're doing. Okay, so here's what I've

we're doing. Okay, so here's what I've kind of come up with for now. Basically,

what's going to hold the things into the place are these side pieces and I've added holes in them so they can uh screw into the different pieces. So there's

kind of three main parts, your motherboard, your battery sled, and then that top panel. So if I hide all these, you'll see that these are kind of slotted in a way for things all to fit together. I think this will make

together. I think this will make assembly easier because of the fact that the screen comes in this metal case, it's very light. But the metal case should help also help add a lot of rigidity to the whole system. So I'm

hoping that does help, too. The bottom

of the screen here isn't covered by anything, which is good did get a little bit warm. So it'll have space to

bit warm. So it'll have space to breathe. And then I'll have this empty

breathe. And then I'll have this empty space from here to here, which I'm hoping to add maybe some legs that can fold out so that this thing can stand on its own. I'm thinking this is coming

its own. I'm thinking this is coming together. Cool. Well, let's 3D print

together. Cool. Well, let's 3D print some stuff and then see where how it goes from there.

Well, it's been a couple days and I've had a couple issues. Let's not worry about that. I

issues. Let's not worry about that. I

did figure it out. It was my fault, usually my fault. I have printed out some parts. So what I did is I made a

some parts. So what I did is I made a new motherboard tray. I made these side pieces, and then I also made a new battery tray. So the new battery tray

battery tray. So the new battery tray here just is a little smaller so that this antenna can fit. And it fits exactly how it did in the other one. And

that should be okay. I do realize looking at this that I probably need some sort of physical structure to kind of keep the battery from like sagging in here. But that's something to improve

here. But that's something to improve later on. This is of course not a final

later on. This is of course not a final version. I've been thinking a lot about

version. I've been thinking a lot about how to make this project simpler. I

think that was one of the big problems with the original version is that it was so complicated. So this version will be

so complicated. So this version will be a lot simpler and will even have a way to press the power button without needing the shim. I didn't actually incorporate it yet, but I've made a sort of this will be like a back panel. I'm

of course going to make it look better.

But because there's the the power button on the motherboard, I can make a sort of print-in-place button that goes on the back panel. So you won't need the

back panel. So you won't need the special shim that fits in there, which is super cool. For now, I'm going to assemble it with these self-tapping M3 by 6 screws. I want them to be longer

and more robust and maybe have a version with threaded inserts as well. But for

now, this one's going to work. We're

just kind of doing a dry run seeing how everything fits together. And again,

nothing's final or perfect here, but this is kind of the idea of how it fits in. So, I'll put in three screws here.

in. So, I'll put in three screws here.

Cool. That actually

feels pretty good. And then this will kind of slide in like that.

So, next I want to put in the battery.

And then quite simply, this should sort of pop in here. I'm realizing now that I don't have a spot for my antennas to come through. Again, again, again, this

come through. Again, again, again, this is a dry run. I'm not expecting everything to sort of go perfect, but I am expecting to get everything in and be able to boot. So, we'll hope that we can get that far. Because of the weird

spacing on this, I'm not able to put screws into these holes. So, actually

the back panel, when it goes to mount in, it has these pegs that will go in and help hold the motherboard in. Just

for the time being, I'll probably figure out a better way to mount it. There's

plenty of space down here. This is past the battery where these top two bolts would be. So, I'm going to just use like

would be. So, I'm going to just use like a M3 and a bolt with a nut to just be able to mount this in. And actually

here's what I found, just a couple These are M3 by eight, some washers, and then little nuts. The issue is, to reiterate,

little nuts. The issue is, to reiterate, that these bottom holes are just too close to where the battery is. And I

don't want screws poking the batteries, right?

Cool. So, now the idea is to put this on. I wonder how tricky this will be. I

on. I wonder how tricky this will be. I

feel like not too bad. Yeah, just sort of slides into place.

This might not be the best way to do it.

Maybe I can find a different cable solution that's a little more can be a little more direct. It does need to be USB 3.1 at least, though. The battery

should have some charge. So, should I just press the power button? I can't

reach the power button.

I was hoping I could go through one of the holes. Okay, okay, okay. Oh, it's

the holes. Okay, okay, okay. Oh, it's

booting. Okay, I'm putting the back on now. Look at that. It's booted.

now. Look at that. It's booted.

Touchscreen. Touchscreen works. Hi.

[laughter] Can you imagine?

Can you imagine? It'll probably mount something like this, you know, as close as I can. That's pretty big, but Okay, it sees it and some of the buttons are working. I think Steam is in an old

are working. I think Steam is in an old version. Also, this this operating

version. Also, this this operating system is very weird because it's old, it's Ubuntu, and it was for a different computer. So, I think next thing we're

computer. So, I think next thing we're going to do is actually install Batocera on here. Once we install Batocera 2, I'm

on here. Once we install Batocera 2, I'm going to open it up and check the temperature of the battery, just like surface temperature, and make sure it's not getting overheated. I would like to add some shielding anyway, but Okay, I'm going to get Batocera on a flash drive

and let's start loading it up on here.

Okay, so I did actually connect the Wi-Fi card. It's held in decently, but

Wi-Fi card. It's held in decently, but I'll just be careful. I have a little dongle for keyboard mouse, and then this is the the Batocera image. So, of

course, I have to do this again because I'm an idiot.

I went into Ubuntu. Okay, this is attempt number two. Turns out that the keyboard wasn't being recognized for whatever reason, so I'm using my other keyboard, and the image was bad, so I remade it with a different thingy

and stuff. Okay. It's frozen. I don't

and stuff. Okay. It's frozen. I don't

know. Okay, I got to mess with this more. Third time's the charm, right?

more. Third time's the charm, right?

Booting. Launch Batocera installer.

Kernel panic. The internet says it's because Ubuntu's on there. Okay, okay.

Some time has passed, but turns out my flash drive wasn't working good, so I got this one. I brought this SSD onto my you know, in a little thing, hooked up to my computer, and deleted everything.

Booting. Launch Batocera installer. Will

it kernel panic?

Okay.

Oh my god. Okay, I'm going to go with my alternative plan of installing Batocera on a different computer. Yeah, I'm going to do that. Install Batocera.

All right. How many tries has it been?

Like six, seven? I installed Batocera using my laptop and that USB, which I do want to show you this little USB. See

how it's shaped funny? Because it's the horns of a little dragon. It's a little dragon. Anyway, I don't know what to

dragon. Anyway, I don't know what to expect. But something.

expect. But something.

A few moments later. Look at that. Let's

continue. I'm going to turn off the camera and I'll come back once it's installed. Ho ho, I'm booted. I'm in.

installed. Ho ho, I'm booted. I'm in.

I'm in.

Let's check that this works. It's recognized

as working. So now I just need you to imagine right here and here. Of course

the screen is bigger than controller, but that's kind of the idea. I mean this all actually works really well. The

sides of the battery and the sides of the screen line up and those are the two widest things in the old one. All right,

so the next thing would actually be to hop into some gameplay. So let's try this out. Just kidding. That's for next

this out. Just kidding. That's for next video. So you're going to have to wait

video. So you're going to have to wait until the next one to see how this thing performs. I'm going to go ahead and play a game though. I'm going to just turn off the camera first. That's all I have for you today. Here's what we've got so far and we've made great strides in this

project. Of course the next thing is

project. Of course the next thing is attaching the controller, cleaning things up. Easier said than done, but I

things up. Easier said than done, but I think there'll only be one more video. I

have no current timeline on when that video will come out, but it should be pretty soon. But if you can't get enough

pretty soon. But if you can't get enough Tommy B and you want to see some more, I've actually started a second channel where I'm going to be uploading mostly skateboarding content. It's a little

skateboarding content. It's a little different than what we have here. Feel

free to subscribe to that and if you haven't already, you should watch my videos on my Steam Deck controller or even the video I did with Linus himself.

And that's it. That's all I got for you.

that's it. That's all I got for you.

Thanks for watching and you know, like and subscribe and those things. Those

things are good. Helps my ego.

And I have a big old ego.

So I did take the screen off real quick just to see the battery. Battery is a little bit warm. Nothing too concerning.

I still think I'm going to make it just a little bit thicker to add some extra space and then probably heat shielding for the battery just to, you know, improve the longevity. This getting this warm is not a concern for me, but it

might not be good for the batteries, you know, overall lifespan.

Ow.

Bit me.