Small, portable, and collapsible X-ray devices are described in this application. In particular, this application describes a portable X-ray device that contains a C-shaped support arm, an X-ray source contained near one end of the support arm, and an X-ray detector contained near the other end of the support arm, and the X-ray source is enclosed in a housing that also encloses a power source and a power supply. The X-ray device is portable since it can be configured to be carried by hand from location to location without using wheels or a gantry. The C-shaped support arm capable of rotating around an object to be analyzed that remains in a substantially fixed location when removably attached to a support structure using a connection that also allows the connection point to slide along the arc of the C-shaped support arm. The x-ray device can be quickly de-coupled from the support structure for handheld or table-top use. The C-shaped support arm can be configured to change the location of the X-ray source and X-ray detector relative to each other by being collapsible, reducing the volume of the x-ray device making it easier to transport. Other embodiments are described.
