Computers

The Mouse-Box fits a whole PC inside a mouse

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The Mouse-Box includes a 1.4GHz CPU and 128GB of storage
The Mouse-Box includes a 1.4GHz CPU and 128GB of storage
A micro-HDMI connector is included to attach the Mouse-Box to a display
A micro-HDMI connector is included to attach the Mouse-Box to a display
The device can also be used as a normal mouse
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We've seen plenty of compact PCs in the past, but few as tiny as the Mouse-Box. This new invention from a team of Polish engineers packs a fully-functioning computer into a mouse that you can hold in your hand. All you need to add is a screen and a keyboard and you're ready to start work, get online or launch a presentation. The Mouse-Box is currently at the prototype stage and its makers are looking for funding to bring it to production.

Its level of portability is a huge selling point, because if you're going somewhere with a monitor or projector available, then all you need is a pocket rather than a laptop bag.

Inside the mouse you get a 1.4GHz dual-core ARM CPU, 128GB of flash storage, two USB 3.0 ports, a micro-HDMI output and Wi-Fi connectivity — not bad for something so tiny. There's not much room for your programs and files, but as Chromebooks have proved, huge amounts of local storage aren't always necessary for something that you take on the road. The group is also working on a matching mousepad that can double as a charger while you're using the Mouse-Box.

A micro-HDMI connector is included to attach the Mouse-Box to a display

If you want to just use it as a normal mouse, then that's fine too. You could take it into work and then switch between your work PC and the Mouse-Box with a button press, for example.

The prototype is fully functional, but the Mouse-Box team is looking for a manufacturing partner to be able to produce the device commercially. Given its specifications, it's likely that the finished product would run a lightweight OS such as ChromeOS or Linux, but no further details have been divulged just yet. Another unknown is the price, though the developers have gone on record as saying the Mouse-Box will be available cheaply and across the world, funding permitting.

Is this something you'd back on Kickstarter or Indiegogo? If so, the Mouse-Box inventors would love you to share their video, embedded below.

Source: Mouse-Box via MyBroadband

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6 comments
P.j. Russell
I designed this back in 2012 in my undergraduate, I wouldn't bother with a dual core 1.4GHz ARM CPU though.
DonGateley
Were it to appear on KickStarter or Indiegogo I would be certain that it was just a wet dream.
Bob Flint
Most smart phones can already do this, my $49 tablet even has HDMI out.
Gregg Eshelman
Quadruple the amount of storage and/or add a Micro SDXC slot and then it will be something I'd want.
Jopan Sheng
It's a good news for heavy user of mouse.
olavn
A bad idea if it needs more than one cable connection. One is max for a mouse. So it needs an external USB hub, which should have HDMI output, and it might as well contain the whole computer. So we are back at the common design for the really small computers - like Raspberry Pi.