# 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.  # 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.  # 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.  ![](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 the hinges. Come in from the base.  ![](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 brass PCB spacers (not the silver ones). The brass spacers are standoffs. These can be hand tightened when and attached to the PCB.  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.  # 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 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.  # 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.  ![](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 household IoT data. With built-in screen / keyboard it makes it that much easier to debug code issues.   - Battery backup helps avoid nasty 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 runs on Raspberry Pi. It performs reasonably well on version 3. - The battery life of the Pi-Top is awesome at 12 hours.  - A neat little console environment for the Pi will 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. ## Related Guides - [Kali Linux on the Raspberry Pi with the PiTFT](https://learn.adafruit.com/kali-linux-on-the-raspberry-pi-with-the-pitft.md) - [Mini Raspberry Pi Handheld Notebook](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-raspberry-pi-handheld-notebook-palmtop.md) - [Running Minecraft on a Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/running-minecraft-on-a-raspberry-pi.md) - [Adafruit WebIDE](https://learn.adafruit.com/webide.md) - [Portable 5in Monitor with HDMI](https://learn.adafruit.com/portable-5in-monitor-with-hdmi.md) - [Freq Show: Raspberry Pi RTL-SDR Scanner](https://learn.adafruit.com/freq-show-raspberry-pi-rtl-sdr-scanner.md) - [Raspberry Pi Video Looper](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-video-looper.md) - [Large Pi-based Thermometer and Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/large-pi-based-thermometer-and-clock.md) - [Raspberry Gear](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-gear.md) - [Adafruit Prototyping Pi Plate](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-prototyping-pi-plate.md) - [DotStar Pi Painter](https://learn.adafruit.com/dotstar-pi-painter.md) - [Set up Home Assistant with a Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/set-up-home-assistant-with-a-raspberry-pi.md) - [Adafruit 16x2 Character LCD + Keypad for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-16x2-character-lcd-plus-keypad-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Super Game Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/super-game-pi.md) - [Basic Resistor Sensor Reading on Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/basic-resistor-sensor-reading-on-raspberry-pi.md)