More than 30 years ago Commodore released a computer-in-a-keyboard called the Commodore 64. It sold for about $600 at the time, making it one of the most affordable and compact personal computers available.

These days you can buy a tiny PC the size of a pack of cards for $35.

But if you still like the idea of a PC-in-a-keyboard there’s a new option: the OneBoard Pro+ is a mechanical keyboard with the guts of an Android tablet.

oneboard_08

The OneBoard Pro+ sells for under $300 at sites that export Chinese products internationally, including AliExpress and Banggood.

It’s powered by a Rockchip RK3288 ARM Cortex-A17 quad-core processor with Mali-T764 graphics, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage.

The system has an SD card slot, HDMI output and DVI input, a headphone jack, two USB ports, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0.

oneboard_06While the OneBoard Pro+ runs Android 4.4 software and can be used as a standalone system when you plug in a display and mouse, you can also use the system as a keyboard for your PC.

Just run a DVI cable from your PC to the keyboard and an HDMI cable from the keyboard to your monitor. Then you can quickly switch between Android (running on the OneBoard Pro+) and Windows or another operating system (running on your PC).

via AndroidPC.es and CNX Software

Support Liliputing

Liliputing's primary sources of revenue are advertising and affiliate links (if you click the "Shop" button at the top of the page and buy something on Amazon, for example, we'll get a small commission).

But there are several ways you can support the site directly even if you're using an ad blocker* and hate online shopping.

Contribute to our Patreon campaign

or...

Contribute via PayPal

* If you are using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin and seeing a pop-up message at the bottom of the screen, we have a guide that may help you disable it.

Subscribe to Liliputing via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,543 other subscribers

16 replies on “OneBoard Pro+ is an Android PC-in-a-keyboard”

  1. I’ve always liked the idea of the computer inside the keyboard. My bank got some a few years ago from the company that bought the Commodore name. Unfortunately, that company is no longer in business. I haven’t seen any models from a US based company since then.

  2. We need another real one bored pro to do the next OneBoard Pro+. I’m liking this very much. Neatest way to separate my own desk from wife :p. Instead of Android (a user here btw), why not just go for proper desktop Linux or hell straight up Win? Maybe just use either Broadwell, MT6752 or RK3368 call that a day? Still 10 points to these guys for trying though.

  4. An Android PC built into a keyboard with Cherry MX black switches… why linear switches? Give me some MX browns or blues and chop about $100 off and then maybe we’ll talk.

  5. I think that is really neat. The price might be a little on the high side for me.

  7. Low cost computer-in-keyboard style all-in-ones were very common in the 80s and early 90s, particularly in the home computer market – everything from ZX Spectrums to Amigas.

    A common idea for them was that you just plug into a TV, to keep the costs down from having to purchase a dedicated computer monitor. Funny how things come full circle – now that TVs are high resolution, you can just take one of these and plug into a TV…

  8. Here’s a question about this device (and similar) for everyone here, since this seems to be a pretty in-the-know group. If something like this supported Miracast, would you essentially have an Android PC with a wireless display? Or is there a better wireless HDMI solution for this?

    The media/theater room I’m currently designing will have an overhead projector and the typical AV rack at the rear of the room. I want a good solution that will let me have not only a typical keyboard and mouse at the seats, but also USB ports for things like game controllers and jump drives. My current best idea involves running a very long USB cord under the riser, attaching a hub, and hoping for the best. Thought it might work better to use something like this and connect it wirelessly to the receiver.

    1. i think u shoukd wait and see how good this wireless hdmi is and then consider something in the nuc line or similar

    2. I might run a wire for the jump drive if you really wanted that to be at the seats. Otherwise I think the technology is much more mature to wire the display and use wireless controllers and keyboard.
      I’ve not used Miracast so maybe it’s brilliant. From the cursory reading I’ve seen I do not think I’d hang my hat on using it for the the default full time video output of an media setup.

      1. I haven’t had much luck with wireless controllers and older game emulators – otherwise, I wouldn’t be coming up with crazy alternatives like this.

  9. i would like to see an zotac pico pi320 or something equivalent built in a keyboard like this so that the pc keyboard line can rise again.

  10. Neat idea.. its a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard, with lit LED keys.. its a bit of a premium device but a really nice, if not sort of niche android tv box. I could see this as a decent little computer for sure, as android continues to evolve

  11. I’m interested in something like this, but the keyboard would have to be decent quality. I’m not sure this is something I would buy without being able to play with it first.

Comments are closed.