Like many of us, [Ramin Assadollahi] has a certain fondness for old-fashioned computers. Finding his itch for almost instant boot times and that bare metal programming wasn’t scratched enough by any of his modern devices, he decided to build the PortablePy: a handheld device that can drop it straight into a Python prompt. where and when the urge strikes him.

The device is powered by the Adafruit PyPortal Titano, which combines an ATSAMD51J20, ESP32, sensor array, and 3.5-inch diagonal 320 x 480 color TFT in one turnkey unit. The PyPortal is designed to run CircuitPython, but scripts are usually dropped onto the device via USB. This is fine for most applications, but [Ramin] wanted his laptop to be usable without needing a host computer.

For a truly mobile experience, he had to find a way to get Python code out on the device itself. The answer ended up being the M5Stack CardKB, a small QWERTY card that communicates over I2C. Once he verified that the concept was sound, he wrote a simple file manager app and minimal Python editor that could run directly on PyPortal.

The last step was to wrap it all up in something he could actually pull off the bench. He designed a 3D printed clamshell case inspired by the classic Game Boy Advance SP, making sure to leave enough room in the bottom half to store a charging board and LiPo battery. He had to remove some of the connectors on the back of the PyPortal to get everything to fit into the case, but the compact end result seems to be worth it.

Although being an overall success, [Ramin] note that there are some lingering issues. On the one hand, the keyboard is literally a pain to type. He plans to create a custom keyboard with softer buttons, but that’s a long-term goal. More immediately, it focuses on improving the software side of things so that it is easier to write code and manage multiple files.

That resembles [Ramin] doesn’t seek to compromise on its goal of making the PortablePy completely self-sufficient, but if your beliefs aren’t as strong, you can always connect a device like this to your mobile to make things a little easier.