A new project has just gone live on Kickstarter: Photonicat 2, a portable ARM-based computer designed for a very specific set of users—frequent travelers, in-car device users, and home lab enthusiasts who value stable networking and long runtimes.
Building on the original Photonicat launched two years ago, the second-generation model keeps the fully open-source design while significantly improving performance, extending battery life, and adding more flexible usage scenarios.
Core Hardware Specifications
At the heart of Photonicat 2 is the Rockchip RK3576 octa-core processor, delivering up to three times the performance of its predecessor. Memory support scales up to 16GB LPDDR5, while onboard storage goes up to 128GB eMMC. For expansion, the board provides:
- A 2230 NVMe slot for additional storage
- A B-Key slot for optional 4G/5G cellular modules
I/O and Connectivity
Despite its compact 154 × 78 × 32 mm chassis, the device packs a wide set of interfaces:
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports
- HDMI output supporting 4K@60fps
- USB 3.0 port and USB-C port
- microSD card slot
Wireless features include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity. It comes with built-in antennas and supports up to four external antennas for stronger reception.
Power and Battery
The unit is powered by a built-in battery pack made of four 18650 cells, delivering up to 24 hours of continuous use on a single charge. It also supports 30W bi-directional USB-C PD charging, balancing fast charging with ease of use.
On the front panel, a small LCD provides real-time system metrics such as bandwidth usage, remaining battery, network latency (ping), and CPU temperature. Users can customize the display fields via JSON configuration. A multifunction button controls power and display toggling.
Software and Features
According to the official documentation, Photonicat 2 runs on Linux kernel 6.12 or later and supports both Debian and OpenWrt out of the box. An Android-compatible release is also planned.
Functionally, the device supports KVM virtualization, opening it up to several use cases:
- As a portable router for network services
- As a standalone computer for everyday computing
- As a UPS-like backup to keep network devices online during power loss
Crowdfunding Tiers and Shipping
Early backers can choose from multiple configurations:
- Photonicat 2 PCBA kit (4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, battery pack): around $98
- Photonicat 2 Mobile (complete unit without 4G/5G module): around $131
- High-spec PCBA (16GB LPDDR5, 128GB eMMC): around $151
- Photonicat 2 5G Global Edition, integrating the Quectel RM520N-GL 5G module and NFA765 Wi-Fi 6 module: around $393
According to the project roadmap, global shipping is scheduled to begin in November 2025.
