Linux Journal | December 2012 | Issue 224 - ACM Digital Library

COLUMNSTHE OPEN-SOURCE CLASSROOMPlus, if you build a custom case out ofLEGO blocks, you can add wings, rocketsand LEGO dudes sitting on top.that can provide at least 700mAh.Remember, when it comes toamperage, more is better, so don’tworry about a one- or two-amppower adapter ruining the unit. Itwill draw only as much as it needs.If the power supply doesn’t provideat least 700mAh, however, theRaspberry Pi will not be reliable.Most problems with the RPi tendto be related to a weak or faultypower adapter.Don’t Box Me InOnce you connect power to your RPi,you’ll quickly find that it’s awkwardto handle. I didn’t bother talkingabout a case first, because we allknow building a case is not the firstthing anyone is going to do. Still,if you want to keep your Pi in goodshape, protecting it with some sortof case is important. Thankfully,there are more case options thanstars in Hollywood.Case Option: Buy One Youbought the Raspberry Pi, and it wasonly $35. It seems only logical tospend an additional $10–$15 on aprebuilt case to house it. There areclear cases, colorful cases, expensivecases and cheap cases. Most of thecommercially available cases areplain, square boxes, but the RPi is alittle square device, so that makessense. Buying a case also guaranteesa snug fit and proper-fittingconnections. If your Pi is going to behandled a lot, a fitted case is a verygood idea.Case Option: Steal from theNursery The Raspberry Pi is small,and it really lends itself to a LEGOcastle motif. Seriously, when it firstcame out, there were more LEGObasedRPi cases than anything else.If you have access to the right sortof LEGO blocks, it’s surprising howsturdy those little suckers can bewhen properly built. Plus, if youbuild a custom case out of LEGOblocks, you can add wings, rocketsand LEGO dudes sitting on top.Besides, who wouldn’t want to havea desktop computer system that candouble as a toy space station?Case Option: 3-D Printing Ifyou have a 3-D printer, I can’tWWW.LINUXJOURNAL.COM / DECEMBER 2012 / 49