> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Will You Pay $119 For This Open Source KVM Built on Rust and Buildroot? - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/leafkvm-crowdfunding/ - Published: 2026-04-24T11:10:15.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-24T11:10:15.000Z - Description: The LeafKVM packs a 2.4-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi 5, and PoE into a CNC aluminum box. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: News, Gadgets 🎛️ KVM devices let you remotely control a computer by capturing its display output and emulating a keyboard and mouse without having a [hypervisor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervisor?ref=itsfoss.com) in the mix. They are an important tool in a sysadmin's inventory. Take a KVM-over-IP device, for instance; it operates independently of the target machine's OS and network stack, letting you reach a system that is stuck in BIOS, frozen mid-boot, or completely offline. That kind of access is crucial, and an open source device that delivers it without breaking the bank is rarer still. The [LeafKVM](https://kvm.rs/?ref=itsfoss.com) is trying to be just that. ## 📝 LeafKVM: Key Specifications Packed inside a CNC-milled aluminum enclosure, which also doubles as a passive cooling heatsink, the LeafKVM is powered by a [Rockchip RV1126B](https://rockchip.fr/RV1126B%20datasheet%20V1.3.pdf?ref=itsfoss.com) SoC with **a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU** and **512 MB of DDR3 RAM**. Video capture is handled by a [Lontium LT6911C](https://cdn.semikey.com/upload/pdfs/3e/6f/3e6f71240856fcdc6775603f8beeddfe.pdf?ref=itsfoss.com) CSI video bridge, and storage comes via a microSD slot. There's also **a 2.4-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen**, which lets you configure networking, preview the HDMI input, manage USB emulation, and check device status without needing a separate computer. For the software, it runs a clean [Buildroot 2026.02 LTS](https://buildroot.org/download.html?ref=itsfoss.com#:~:text=Stable-,2026.02.x,-June%202026)\-based Linux system, with **a Rust backend** handling everything from the video pipeline to networking and USB emulation. The touchscreen UI is built on [Slint](https://slint.dev/?ref=itsfoss.com), and the web frontend is **a GPL-2.0 fork** of the [JetKVM](https://github.com/jetkvm?ref=itsfoss.com) project. OTA firmware updates are a few clicks away from the web dashboard and [Tailscale VPN](https://itsfoss.com/tailscale-raspberry-pi-ssh/) integration is also on board. Since the LeafKVM presents itself as a standard USB keyboard, mouse, and mass storage device to the target machine, it works with pretty much anything that supports those, including **Linux**, **Windows**, **macOS**, **BSD**, and BIOS/UEFI screens. *You don't need to bother with drivers, as it is all plug-and-play!* 🚀 The obvious audience for this device are IT engineers and server operators who want hands-off management after a one-time physical setup. Robotics and embedded developers working with headless hardware can get a lot out of it too, since it removes the need to haul a monitor and keyboard to wherever the hardware lives. And since the LeafKVM captures and streams HDMI video with under 100 ms latency at up to 4K/30fps or 1080p/90fps, it **also works as a wireless video relay** for camera setups where you want to preview a feed remotely on a tablet or laptop. ![against a mixed green/orange/yellow background, there are two pictures of the leafkvm that shows the internal layout from two angles, there is a green pcb visible in both of those, with various ports and board items strewn about](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2026/04/leafkvm-internal-views.png) As for the ports and other doodads, they include: - **Ports:** 1× HDMI *(up to 4K@30fps*), 2× USB Type-C, and 1× USB Type-A. - **Networking:** Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 5 dual-band (*433 Mbps*), and 100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet (*with IEEE 802.3af PoE support*). - **Weight:** 195 g (*6.9 Oz*) - **Size:** 90 × 65 × 25 mm (3.54 × 2.56 × 0.98 in) - **Power:** USB Type‑C: 5 V / 1 A (*both ports*) and PoE (*IEEE 802.3af 37-57 V*) ## Get Yours At a price tag of **$119**, the LeafKVM is available on [Crowd Supply](https://www.crowdsupply.com/leafkvm/leafkvm?ref=itsfoss.com), with units shipping mid-January 2027 if the funding goal is reached. Keep in mind that while shipping is free for buyers in the U.S., the rest of us will have to fork over **an additional $12**. As of writing, 82%, that is, **$8,222 of the $10,000 goal**, had been reached thanks to 36 backers. With 40+ days remaining, I am sure that they will reach the funding goal sooner than later. [LeafKVM (Crowd Supply)](https://www.crowdsupply.com/leafkvm/leafkvm?ref=itsfoss.com) If you are looking for the schematics or the source code for the software, you can keep an eye out on the project's [GitHub](https://github.com/leafkvm?ref=itsfoss.com). It is set to host the full firmware source, build recipes, and hardware schematics before units ship. --- **Suggested Read 📖:** [*A Linux Gaming Console Appears*](https://itsfoss.com/news/playnix-linux-console/) [The People Who Put Emulators on Your Steam Deck Now Want to Sell You a Linux ConsoleThe Playnix Console is a €1,179 Linux-powered gaming machine with an RX 9060 XT inside.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-512x512-383.png)It's FOSSSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/playnix-console-banner-1.png)](https://itsfoss.com/news/playnix-linux-console/)