# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Layout the Parts

The Pi-Top is a cute kit that lets you add a monitor, keyboard, trackpad, to your Pi while making it easy to access hardware for DIY experimentation!

Come with us as we put together one....

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/933/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-1.jpg?1471721986)

The **Pi-Top includes** :

- LID - 13.3" screen
- Base
- Base Top (keybord/mouse)
- Acrylic slice
- Hub
- HDMI cable
- Micro USB cable
- GPIO Breakout cable
- Power Control cable
- Keyboard cable
- PCB Screws x8 (silver)
- PCB Spacers / Standoffs x8 (brass)
- M2.5 Nuts x9
- SML Allen Key (1.25mm)
- LRG Allen Key (2mm)
- Micro SD Card (Pi-Top pre-installed)
- AC to DC Adapter
- Mains Power Cable

The Pi-Top does not include a Raspberry Pi. You will want to pickup a [Raspberry Pi 3 Model B](https://www.adafruit.com/products/3055) or later for optimium performance.&nbsp;

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Pop Off Rail Covers

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/934/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-2.jpg?1471723766)

The rail covers pop right off with the small allen key. They are magnetic. These rails will be used to mount the raspberry pi and hub circuit boards.&nbsp;

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Lid to Base

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/935/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-3.jpg?1471723959)

The Pi-Top lid (which is the 13.3" LCD screen) snaps into the base by sliding it into the hinges. There will be a solid click. This requires some pressure.&nbsp;

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/941/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-5.jpg?1471724453)

Use the small allen key to secure the lid to the base. There are two pre-installed allen screws to tighten down. One in each corner of&nbsp;the hinges. Come in from the base.&nbsp;

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/942/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop4.jpg?1471724534)

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Hub to Base

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/943/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-6.jpg?1471724758)

Use 4x of the&nbsp;brass PCB spacers&nbsp;(not the silver ones). The brass&nbsp;spacers are standoffs. These can be hand tightened when and attached to the PCB.&nbsp;

Before securing the hub to the base attach the LCD connector shown above. Gently align, and secure with the locking bar.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/944/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-7.jpg?1471724950)

The silver PCB screws will be attached from the underside and they thread right into the brass spacers.&nbsp;

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Raspberry Pi to Hub & Base

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/946/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-8.jpg?1471725659)

Hand tighten&nbsp;4x brass PCB standoffs to Raspberry Pi.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/947/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-9.jpg?1471725731)

Connect the following three cables between the Hub and the Raspberry Pi.

1. HDMI cable
2. Micro USB cable
3. GPIO Breakout cable

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/948/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-10.jpg?1471729619)

The wide connector GPIO cable ribbon can be routed through the cable raceway.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/949/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_pitop-7.jpg?1471729786)

Secure the Raspberry Pi from the underside with silver screws connecting into brass standoffs.&nbsp;

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Base Top

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/950/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0026.jpg?1471730118)

The keyboard and mouse panel referred to as the "base top" has two cords that need to be connected. A "power and control" cable which is the small white connectors on both ends that connects the Hub to the Power Button. The keyboard cable plugs the Pi-Top keyboard into a free Rasbperry Pi USB port.&nbsp;

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/951/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0027.jpg?1471730846)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/952/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0028.jpg?1471730865)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/953/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0029.jpg?1471730886)

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## Close Up Shop

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/954/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0030.jpg?1471730916)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/955/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0031.jpg?1471730935)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/956/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0031.jpg?1471730956)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/957/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0032.jpg?1471730972)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/958/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0034.jpg?1471730991)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/959/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0035.jpg?1471731005)

# Pi-Top Assembly 

## What to do with a Pi-Top

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/960/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_IMG_0033.jpg?1471731318)

Why [Pi-Top](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3065)?

- The Pi is an excellent catcher for&nbsp;household IoT data. With&nbsp;built-in screen / keyboard it makes it that much easier to debug code issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;
- Battery backup helps avoid nasty&nbsp;file system crashes should the power go out.
- Arduinos can be programmed from the Pi-Top and there is plenty of room under the acrylic screen to keep a mini development board.
- KiCad can&nbsp;runs on Raspberry Pi. It performs reasonably well on version 3.
- The battery life of the Pi-Top is awesome at 12 hours.&nbsp;
- A neat little console environment for the Pi will&nbsp;clean up your workspace.
- The [Pi-Top seems like the kind of laptop](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3065) that would be pure spectacle should it make an appearance in a trendy coffee shop.


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### Pi-Top - GREEN - A Laptop Kit for Raspberry Pi B+ / Pi 2 / Pi 3

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[Pi-Top - GREY - A Laptop Kit for Raspberry Pi B+ / Pi 2 / Pi 3](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3116)
The Raspberry Pi open source laptop that you've been waiting for has arrived with the **[Pi-Top](http://www.pi-top.com/#/)**! With this kit you can build your very own "laptop" which at it's core runs off of the famous <a...></a...>

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## Related Guides

- [Networked Thermal Printer using Raspberry Pi and CUPS](https://learn.adafruit.com/networked-thermal-printer-using-cups-and-raspberry-pi.md)
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- [Adafruit's Raspberry Pi Lesson 12. Sensing Movement](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-12-sensing-movement.md)
- [Basic Resistor Sensor Reading on Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/basic-resistor-sensor-reading-on-raspberry-pi.md)
- [Cupcade: the Raspberry Pi Micro Arcade Cabinet](https://learn.adafruit.com/cupcade-raspberry-pi-micro-mini-arcade-game-cabinet.md)
