What Is a Cyberdeck (And Why You Might Want One)

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Somewhere in the multiverse, there’s an alternate timeline in which the clunky computers of the ’80s and late ’90s never really evolved into what we have today. Instead of being thinner, more powerful and more portable, they remained practical and somewhat unruly. Think retro-futuristic laptops like you’d see in dystopian cyberpunk games and fiction. That’s pretty much the design concept behind cyberdecks, personalized personal computers that offer the best impression of a bygone era. Fantasy storytelling aside, some ingenious DIYers are creating their own cyberdecks using modern components, leading to examples like the Hackberry Pi or the πTar, the latter being a dope keytar-style cyberdeck.

The term “cyberdeck” originated in a novel by William Gibson called “Neuromancer.” Real-world cyberdecks are nothing more than custom-assembled computers often using a single-board configuration like a Raspberry Pi. They can be as weird and wacky as the creator wants, or as simple as a custom Blackberry or repurposed Android phone. The overarching theme seems to be utility, beyond custom designs. Creators design them to fulfill specific use cases, like an MP3 or audio-focused cyberdeck, a sleeker, more personalized laptop, a portable gaming console, or an alternative to a smartphone or tablet with a keyboard for hacking. Many quick and easy Raspberry Pi projects are simple versions of cyberdecks.

There are also a growing number of free, DIY tutorials available, complete with parts lists, assembly details, and even programming or operating system support. As for why you’d want one, well, everyone has their own motivations, but this is a personalized computer tailored to your interests. What’s cooler than that? It’s also a way to stick with big tech and escape all that scary data collection nonsense.

The first step in any project, including building a cyberdeck, is finding your inspiration and motivation. Why do you want to build one? Do you want a portable typewriter to write your novel? How about an improvised hacking tool to test compromised applications? Knowing this will help you focus on the design. Of course, a computer at heart can do a lot of things, but you’ll still want to specialize. You can also seek inspiration from the community; sites like Reddit can be helpful here.

From there, decide which components you’ll use, particularly which single board computer (SBC), such as a Raspberry Pi, NanoPC-T4, or Odroid. Also consider additional hardware such as Wi-Fi modules, data storage, display and audio sources. Choose components that are compatible with the SBC you are installing. Additionally, you will need to decide which software you will use. If you opt for community software instead of coding yourself, you’ll need to choose one. Kali Linux seems to be a popular option. Otherwise, you may need to learn some coding.

Finally, you need the case or case. You can choose your own, using items you already own like boxes, storage cases or other equipment. You can design a custom one with a 3D printer. You can even order cases online through places like Amazon, Etsy, or elsewhere. The case for a mini PC intended to replace your TV’s streaming devices could be a good start. When choosing a case, choose something that fits all the components you need, including the screen. You can also find pre-built cyberdecks. Or, take an old computer or device and reuse it. One of the best uses of your Steam Deck is to turn it into a pseudo cyberdeck by removing components and installing new ones.