This laptop is small enough to fit inside a computer mouse [Sticky or Not]

One of the great things about smartphones is the fact that they’re essentially a mini computer that can fit in your pocket.

Now, someone has found a way to make an actual mini laptop that can fit in a computer mouse.

In a recent video, YouTuber Electronic Grenade explained that he wanted to make such a “Computer Mouse” after seeing someone do something similar with a keyboard.

To make the Computer Mouse, Electronic Grenade 3D-printed a larger-sized mouse, since his regular-sized one was too small. He then inserted a Raspberry Pi Zero W computer, 500 mAh battery and tiny retractable Bluetooth keyboard into the mouse.

In terms of function, the Computer Mouse has a basic desktop appearance with interactive folders that can be scrolled to and clicked. The keyboard, meanwhile, can slide out of the mouse and be used for typing. Electric Grenade said using the tiny keyboard “isn’t as bad as it seems,” although it was “kind of tricky considering the keys are small and crammed together and you have to have your hand in a very uncomfortable position.”

In his video, Electronic Grenade also showed the Computer Mouse playing the Pi-emulated version of Minecraft. While he said it was initially hard to control using the tiny device, he soon found himself being able to create levels with relative ease. However, he noted that the Computer Mouse couldn’t handle Minecraft for very long without crashing.

Verdict: Sticky

While this certainly isn’t a practical laptop, it doesn’t really have to be. Unlike many other “Sticky or Not” gadgets we’ve looked at before, this isn’t at all intended to be a commercial product. Therefore, it’s easy to forgive any shortcomings and take this as it is — a really neat DIY project.

As someone who knows next to nothing about computer programs, coding and the like, I will always admire the ingenuity of the people who can make this sort of thing.

Note: This post is part of an ongoing series titled Sticky or Not in which staff reporter Bradly Shankar analyzes new and often bizarre gadgets, rating them sticky (good) or not (bad).