DevTerm Kit: Portable computer gains Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 compatibility

Clockwork has released a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) adapter for the DevTerm and ClockworkPi v3.13 mainboard. Introduced in November 2020, the DevTerm takes the power of a Raspberry Pi and puts it to use as a portable computer. While Clockwork designed the DevTerm for Raspberry Pi CM3 compatibility, its adapter allows the DevTerm to work with the CM4, despite the Raspberry Pi Foundations' decision to change the Compute Module's form factor.

As the images below show, Clockwork's adapter gives the Raspberry Pi CM4 SO-DIMM connectors, matching its predecessor. For context, the Raspberry Pi CM4 has a Broadcom BCM2711 chipset with four ARM Cortex-A72 cores that can reach 1.5 GHz. Also, the device has up to 32 GB of optional eMMC flash storage and support for Bluetooth 5.0/WiFi 6 connectivity. Incidentally, Clockwork has included a heatsink and Wi-Fi gain antenna with its adapter. 

It is worth stressing that there are two caveats for Clockwork's adapter. On the one hand, Raspberry Pi CM4 modules cannot use the ClockWorkPi v3.14's microSD card reader if it has built-in eMMC flash storage. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi CM4 modules cannot piggyback on the mainboard's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Purportedly, the DevTerm should last up to 6 hours between charges when paired with a Raspberry Pi CM4. Currently, Clockwork sells the Raspberry Pi CM4 adapter for US$19 and the DevTerm Kit for US$238.

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