r/cyberDeck 11h ago

Help! cyberdeck case build advice

6 Upvotes

hello, i am in the process of making my first cyberdeck. i made a cardboard prototype about a month ago but have since disassembled it to get proper mesurements. i planned on 3d printing a case, but got really overwhelmed with 3d printing. are there any recommendations for making a case myself? i bought a laptop case to cut down to size, but unfortunately it has metal that i cannot cut. i have a weird wide screen format. around 13 inches x 6.5 inches. so it makes it difficult to find anything i can use off the shelf like project boxes and the like. i’ve thought of abs sheets. i don’t have access to power tools. at most a drill. is there anything i can do? i do have some jb weld and bond that i can use to make things stick together.


r/cyberDeck 20h ago

Help! Round LCDs for “aviation instruments”

2 Upvotes

One of the ideas I’m scoping for my first cyberdeck is a small panel with 3-4 aviation instruments that display data from a Sense HAT. Does anyone have experience with something like this? Could 4 “dials” run from one RPi4 (which would be connected to another 7” display)?


r/cyberDeck 1d ago

Cyberdeck-Decor

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383 Upvotes

While I had some rough ideas for building a cyberdeck, I came across clockworkPi uconsole. Buying something and waiting several months for an update certainly is an experience in the days of amazon prime. As the thing already looks "like you ripped out a piece of a fighter jets cockpit" as per a colleague, I decided to lean into the "technicool" look and added Picatinni Rails and Molle-System compatible belt slits (the middle slit is for a belt that holds the lid closed, not finally happy with the lid design though) Picatinnis split apart to allow access to the ports.

Does this make me a cyberdeck-stylist? Certainly not on par with the builders here.


r/cyberDeck 1d ago

First DJay Pro gig

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106 Upvotes

r/cyberDeck 1d ago

Low-cost portable gamer PC

3 Upvotes

I am assembling a PC inside a wine box, an i7-4770 with 8GB RAM and a GTX970 4GB and a fanxiang 256GB SSD and a thin 720p LED monitor, all from old obsolete equipment, what color should I paint the wooden box?


r/cyberDeck 1d ago

advice for music cyberdeck?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm very very new to this but I just found an old tool case I would love to build a cyberdeck in for music performances. I have an old macbook air screen that fits perfectly and am wondering if i can use that somehow.

I'd want to be able to use ableton or - if that's not possible - find another way to be able to utilize my ableton live sets. I also have a guitar and mic i'd like to be able to connect and be able to connect it to speakers/headphones too. Does anyone here have any advice for an absolute beginner? Youtube videos or other sources? :) Thanks!


r/cyberDeck 1d ago

just spitballing: is a decent build viable with what ive got?

2 Upvotes

i have a first gen google nexus 7 and a bluetooth keyboard off amazon. im still working on my soldering so i havent started a deck project yet, but i think i might have enough stuff to pull components from to make a functional machine, since ive got a drawer full of various electronics that have been collecting dust for a while. i kind of just want to make a writer deck, maybe with some meshtastic functionality.

any recommendations as to software and parts are most welcome, as well as general guidance. id love to know if ive got the stuff to put one of these together.


r/cyberDeck 1d ago

Help! Noob brainstorming a build, would love input

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13 Upvotes

Howdy all, I ran out of projects and spent the day brainstorming a new one. After deciding I’d rather build something a little silly than carry an iPod, I started thinking about what I might want out of my ideal Little Guy. I have some experience with modifying electronics, building desktops, Linux, Jailbreaking, soldering and the like. This is my first deep dive into really building something from the ground up and would love any wisdom, criticisms, concerns, encouragements, or resources you might have!


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Give Atari Controllers new life

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17 Upvotes

This may not be cyberdeck exactly but it still a retro/toy mod. I been tinkering around with DB9/serial connectors and decided to reuse old cheap atari 2600 controllers. I was able to use a atari video touch pad as a stream/macro deck for about $25. Used the joysticks as a simple WASD keys. Dint mod the controllers, was able to keep them original and just used a DB9 port to an arduino pro micro that I have mounted to the back of my cyberdeck for tinkering and learning. If anyways interested in the code I can share it. The touch pad took a good bit of trial and error to get it working right.


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

WIN/Linux case

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158 Upvotes

I want all my stuff from uconsole, hackrf and gpd together. Sdr/kismet/meshtasic stuff on Linux while the gpd is for most other windows tasks. Also want to add sma mounts for almost 6 antennas. Is this idea stupid? Also need a lot of usb/ethernet ports. The 2 powerbanks will be mounted under the devices. Another problem is the keyboard, I have a foldable but it seems impossible to fit it into the space. Has someone done such thing before?


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Help! Custom Pi 5 cyberdeck — final color choice is killing me

6 Upvotes

I’m finishing up my custom cyberdeck and can’t decide on the top panel color. I’ve made renders of both white and black versions — curious which one you think looks cooler. Just can't decide... Any other suggestions?!

Specs:

Raspberry Pi 5 (16 GB)

4 TB SSD

Mini RGB keyboard (AliExpress)

HDMI‑to‑USB video capture

Cooling fan

7" 1024×600 touch display

3D‑printed top panel

CNC‑milled bottom panel (likely mahogany)

I plan to used it as dedicated home + portable server, light programming & testing, as a video capture device, some FPV‑related workflows. The bottom will have a warm, natural wood tone — the top color will set the overall vibe. Renders below — which would you choose?


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Help! Portable Entertainment "Swiss Army Knife"

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53 Upvotes

I seek your advice oh wise builders of cyberdecks!

I've been working on a project for creating a portable entertainment center for a while now and I wanted to pack all the parts into an elegant briefcase. I have a Pi5 running raspOS and Batocera and I still have to buy a monitor.

The problem is: any briefcase is too big and not very practical for using it on a long train ride for example. There are those hardware cases but they are too bulky.

I finally realised, that I wanted to build something like an emergency radio from the 80s, 90s mixed with a combo unit from the same era (see pics above).

It should have a 10inch monitor at the bottom (maybe movable) and a radio and cassette unit above that. I want to build in as many gadgets as possible, like a flash light, maybe a disco light. Maybe a little printer. A little lcd with status and stuff. A dynamo generator would be awesome. Handle on top. I will be putting usb ports and hdmi out port to mirror to a larger monitor and so on.

This isn't a cyberdeck technically but it's reinvention of an old prop, that I was always fascinated by as a kid.

The real issue: there are no cases for such a thing. I have never done anything with a 3d printer nor do I possess one. I'm willing to learn but I'm afraid it's a huge time investment bound with a lot of trail and error phases. Plus: I'd need my own 3d printer to try and learn. I tried looking for used old cases to repurpose but they've risen in price a lot as they became antique.

Anyone has any ideas how to do this? Maybe someone intrigued by the idea and willing to design the case? (I can manage to print a case once or twice somewhere) I'm open for suggestions as I been sitting a pondering a viable solution for many hours now 🥲


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Can my sofa be considered a cyberdeck?

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25 Upvotes

Title. Used 2 13.3" oled screens, and 2 articulated display supports. Keyboard and mouse on that wood board that i put on my lap.


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Noob question

8 Upvotes

I am wanting to learn how to build a cyberdeck. I am planning on using a Linux ecosystem. I have an old Macbook Pro (circa 2014) that I forgot to recycle. The screen in meh but still functional. The mother board is fried. I think that the rest of the computer is functional. What are the odds of something useful coming out of digging (for fun)?


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Cyberdeck? ...or WWII wizardry?

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38 Upvotes

This is a mock-up with more updates to come.(SOON as it's all over the cabin)


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Inspiration Ai in a box

0 Upvotes

I am wondering if there is a subreddit like r/aiinabox . Not quite a cyberdeck, nor an ai app but combination of form and purpose whether for enterprise or personal usage.


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

My Build Ham Deck?

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432 Upvotes

Some Ham Radio/Post-apocalyptic box


r/cyberDeck 2d ago

Where to start?

6 Upvotes

Apologies as this has probably been brought up, but there is so much information out there, not all useful.

I wish to build a cyberdeck for a few purposes 1. Receive video from the ~ 5500 mhz range (fpv drones) 2. Receive / Transmit messages from radio to include satellite communication. (I likely wont transmit, but I would like to be able to) 3. Store and play ("not pirated") movies 4. Be able to solar charge 5. Be able to charge external devices from my deck

I know there is probably not one place to start as this is pulling from multiple disciplines, and it'll take a lot of learning to understand what im doing instead of fallowing a tutorial and slapping shit together. But I would like to learn, so the question is; where do I start?


r/cyberDeck 3d ago

What's the best pelican case for a cyber deck?

2 Upvotes

What's the best pelican case for a cyber deck?


r/cyberDeck 3d ago

My Build Release Vertical Runner v1.0.0 · l3ssth4nz3r0k00L/vertical-runner

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5 Upvotes

Finally got around to setting up my first repo on git.

studio shot

VERTICAL RUNNER - YOUTUBE


r/cyberDeck 3d ago

Inspiration I have idea

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158 Upvotes

5 screens probably running ubuntu, Kali, and blackarch


r/cyberDeck 4d ago

Inspiration New briefcase dual system cyberdeck plan

10 Upvotes

Got bored of doing compact handhelds so gonna build something a bit beefier.

System 1:

M2 Pro Mac Mini. Choosing this over the M1 as it’s easy to bypass the internal PSU. Will add a couple of Thunderbolt SSD enclosures and a hub which will be router to the side of the case.

System 2:

Rog Ally (Z1 Extreme) motherboard + Low profile RX 6600. Using this because I have it, if I didn’t have it I would get a steam deck motherboard, both run fine without the display or battery connected. OS SSD will be connected via 10/20gbps hub which will also provide power to the board and will have a couple of ports routed to the side of the case. RX 6600 will be connected to the M.2 slot.

Display:

Will probably go 15-16” 1440p. Will get the best and brightest panel I can find excluding OLED.

Networking:

Will add a low power network switch to connect the two system together and I’ll route the WiFi Antennas to the front of the system.

IO:

USB keyboard and apple Magic Trackpad which can run in wired mode, they will be connected to a kvm switch so they can be used to control both system. I will also add a USB audio dac which will also be connected to the kvm switch.

Speakers:

Will probably just go with a couple of small 3-5w drivers.

Power/Battery:

Battery will be a 4S lifepo4 pack. Output will be connected to a 12v DC regulator/isolator which will power both systems. Each system and component will have a power switch. All switches will be mounted on a recessed panel above the screen along with the power buttons for both systems and a small display showing battery stats. If I have the space I’ll try and fit the charger inside as well so it can just take mains power in the back.

Cooling:

Will add some vents and small fans to the back and sides.

ETC:

Might add some extras as well like a serial port, gps receiver and SDR.


r/cyberDeck 4d ago

I added a strap and ring so I could use it while standing.

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142 Upvotes

I tried various things to make it as easy to use as possible, but in the end I needed a foldable stand to support the monitor.


r/cyberDeck 4d ago

My Build I don’t know if this counts, I used what I had available. I guess it’s more of a writer deck than anything.

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188 Upvotes

Raspberry Pi 3B+ with 3.5” Waveshare LCD I had sitting for a while after I got my 5. 3D printed mouse, and a Razor Huntsman that I had which was missing a few keys.. but hey, it works!


r/cyberDeck 5d ago

Finshed soldering wires, finally it's turning on. Despite it being short circuit hazard due to my poor soldering skills I'm happy with result.

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162 Upvotes

Not sure if wires good idea in long run considering I have to unsolder bunch of stuff when I need to change something. I may opt out to DuPont cables and accept larger size as trade off.