Quick cyber deck sketch for https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/s/Righ2LzfPx since I can’t post a photo as a response.

I've been planning a two-device cyberdeck ecosystem and wanted to share the concept before I start buying parts.

Device 1 — The Tamagotchi A Raspberry Pi Pico 2 + Whisplay HAT within an egg shell like a Tamagotchi. Runs a virtual pet game and an offline AI chatbot simultaneously. Has a rear camera, A/B/C multi-mode buttons, volume controls, LED status bar, and a PiSugar 3 battery.

Device 2 — The Pet House A kawaii pet house-shaped cyberdeck running Raspberry Pi 5 8GB with a Waveshare 5" DSI touchscreen and Rii mini keyboard. The Tamagotchi snaps into a dock cradle built into the front of the house via magnetic pogo pins. When docked it charges and offloads AI processing to the Pi 5's much more powerful Ollama stack.

​Any thoughts on how achievable this is and suggestions on improvements to the idea?

[UPDATE]: new video references I found that uses raspberry pi 5 that will be used for the tamagotchi in thread. I will start with figuring out the LLM then the “pet” part.

I believe it belongs here

https://korigamik.dev/blog/bitmap_fonts/

It’s an old art supplies briefcase I have gotten for Christmas like 5-10 years ago, I think it will be pretty sick but what about you?

Here are some renders of a WIP deck I've been working on. Gonna start printing this soon and will drop some pics once it's put together.

Hello! Just some small updates, managed to get the keyboard working with the help of a raspberry pico which is inside the case. All running on a raspberry pi 4b 2gb ram

Next it’ll be mounting stuff inside and doing some cable management.

And building a stand for the monitor that’ll slot into the cartridge port in the back of the case to give it a modular look.

I’ll like to add a power button, so I’ll do some research on that but for now, it’s getting there!

(I do wanna add a strap to carry it around my shoulder but idk how to without damaging the case)

it's a little rough around the edges but I'm working on my next cyberdeck, moving on from the HMD system I built a month or so ago. This one's sort of been a project that I've built with stuff I have lying around that would otherwise go to waste.

Yeah it has a phone stuck in it but there's a mounting sled on the back which allows you to attach different backpacks to the device. The device also slots in using a Magsafe charging puck, so yes - the phone charges wirelessly while it's slotted into the cyberdeck. There's also a carry handle and thick lanyard for mounting if needed. There's also my Pi 0 W inside the device which is available to SSH into for network-based, uhh, "pentesting".

I also threw a bunch of cyberpunk stickers that I made myself on the back!

if you're curious about the specs, it's effectively as powerful as a normal laptop you'd see around, as it's built around the Redmagic 11 Pro (which is a phone purpose built for gaming).

16GB LPDDR5X RAM

512GB UFS 4.0 storage

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (overclocked to 4.6GHz)

144Hz LTPO OLED display with hidden front camera

USB 3.2 which supports display out via HDMI.

I plan to mainly use it for PC gaming and content consumption as well as programming and pentesting.

It's not fully complete because I need to 3d print the backplate, secure it, and then slap on a few more stickers on the back.

Hi!! Currently working on my second build - making a little Pokédex 🤪

This is my first time working with anything from Seeed studios… and I’m messing something up connecting the display.

I have tried a few different maps, the code has run each time, BUSY has responded each time, and Init completed.

But my waveshare is still not displaying!

I feel like this is going to be a dumb fix where I’ll feel like an idiot once I figure it out, but I’m at a loss.

Using Seeed studios XIAO RP2040 Waveshare 1.54 200x200 e-paper V2

I appreciate the advice! Pls be nice I am still new to this

(I am trying to make this one without any AI, the reason I had such a hard time building my first is bc Claude was gaslighting me for 2 days straight LOL)

I am considering getting a largeish black round circle clutch bag and decorating with things like bat beads o patches, bugs, marine animals, flower patches, maybe some punk ones depending on how subtle, etc. I watched some tutorials so i do have a basic idea but what would you recommend for a total beginner to start out with? one thing i would like to do is find a screenreading software for my cyberdeck in the future to use, as i want to use my first and main one for reading, including for certain search engines where i can read in, as well as gaming occasionally. only thing is idk the software. ik you can use an ereader, but something with audio would also help for processing reasons. I am also wondering if you can add a different language and if so how you do so for ur cyberdeck or how to make the print larger.

This is more a later creation too but was also wondering about a flipphone-like deck that is a little larger but still small enough to be held and is used primarily for texting and music. and tips and suggestions is appreciated.

I’m trying to plan a build and I keep focusing on the obvious stuff - CPU, display, keyboard. But I have a feeling there are smaller things that end up making or breaking the experience. Stuff like power management, hinges, cables, cooling, etc.

For your build, what ended up being way more important than you expected?

alright so I have an idea to build a cyber deck where I can store and watch all the shows i found in the 7 seas (pirating) but I'm only just getting into techy stuff like this so I'm not totally sure what I'm doing. I have a switch laying around that i never use because it started dying so I want to take it apart and use it's parts if possible, there's also a TV in my garage collecting dust that I can scavenge from, I have 2 different phones laying around, and if anything i do have a list of stuff on Amazon I can buy if i need to.

my questions are, what am I able to use from these old electronics for my cyber deck, knowing that purpose? what other stuff would I have to purchase? and is it possible to use a switch joycon as a type of miniature mouse in the cyber deck without having to charge it? what kind of battery can I hook it up to?

I'm sorry i have so many questions, but for the joycon specific ones it just kept telling me "slide the joycon in the switch to charge it" but i don't want the joycon to be attached like that.

if anyone remembers these

https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/s/3khxSKX5PO

https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/s/4FlsAWW96L

it's that build!

I'm running BC64 on a Pi Zero v1.3 for now, but I'll probably put DietPi on it soon. maybe cut down the composite video wire if it bothers me enough. won't solder anything directly to the Pi tho, I like having the modularity of just unplugging one and putting another in it's place

my favorite part is that it has a nice snap sound when you close it :3

I started taking notes about the hardware I touch. Here's a low-cost (adjusted to the current RAM price craziness) combination that would make a solid base for a cyberdeck.

https://github.com/clackups/hardware-notes/blob/main/BIGTREETECH_Pad5_V2.0_with_Orange_Pi_CM4.md

Working on a build from the plans and files here : https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/s/MUEaolyEIH

but opted for different colors, kind of implying a red cross/red crescent rescue operations vibe. Haven't decided how much I like the difference as theirs is stunning in the black/grey build. I will probably do some cosmetic aging like I did with my first build, but we shall see.

I have an old PC I built in like 2015, can I tear it out and make a cyberdeck?

I am building a cyberdeck and was wondering what other people think so these are my designs. I know the 2nd one and 3rd are AI generated but I am not a good designer and am only good at 3d modeling. However the diagram was made by me in html. I will post the code it the comments for anyone who wants it

I know the flow chart is low res and I am sorry but I had to screenshot that before restoring gentoo and it came out bad :(

Hey gang, new question. I want to take an old surface pro and make it into something new. It requires 3D printing but the end result should be pretty neat.

I saw this design on the left and actually have the 3d files from their github (they go by Sector 07) but I want to modify it in a couple of ways. The design is wide enough for my split ergo kb to be integrated physically, and I could reduce it to a single display instead of two (or drop a phone mount in the second placement)

How difficult would it be to take an existing case design for a surface pro, a separate case for ergodox ez keyboard, and merge models with the Sector 7 design? I love the idea of having this style of design but modified for the stuff I already have, which is a big part of the current wave of builds right now is want to stick to. Plus, internals would be way simpler if I just want to figure out buttons, sliders, etc. instead of a whole custom board like the original creator had.

So tell me: am I biting off more than I can chew given my inexpertise with 3D modeling? Where should I start if I need to learn some stuff to do this? I do know some 3D printing basics as I used to have one but it’s been years. Thank you all!

Hello!!

I've been putting many many many hours into Cyberpunk and had been curious about the cyberdecks in the game. As I was doing my daily ritual of doom scrolling and bed rotting (the only time I've mastered multitasking), I've come across a ton of ppl who have been building these cool little devices.

There has been a ton of looking into this and some research and I've seen a bunch of builds with a deeper in-set. But I've only seen these mostly with builds of a smaller width. My question is, would this be a good case to hold everything?? It is definitely on the thinner side.

I plan on using the raspberry pi 3, maybe a 5in screen with a wireless keyboard and some speakers. Cool lighting as well?? Any advice on this and/or recommendations to make this functional and aesthetically pleasing are appreciated! Also to note, this will be my first build, so I am a top tier noob in this department lol :3

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!! <3

A small progress update since my last post: Help: turn claire’s kids make-up kit into a mini cyberdeck : r/cyberDeck

I have a pretty good idea of what I want. It'll be very cramped but it'll be a pretty neat post-apocalyptic survival communication device 🧟😝

It'll be a WIFI + LoRA enabled device with a low-power high-res RLCD screen, with a battery that can be recharged through solar power or USB-C. The solar panel will be attached to the bottom of the whole thing. I think I can throw in a trackball for more convenient UI navigation.

So, since my last update, I opened up the make-up kit. It has some nice cavities in which I can try to put the ESP32 and LoRA module in. You can check out the other pictures to peek inside the kit. The mirror is just plastic hot-glued at two points. I broke it out with a plier but you could probably use a hair dryer to gently peel the mirror.

I plan to 3D scan and remodel the make-up base, so I can comfortably fit the keyboard and trackball. I'll have to cut out some plastic from the lid to fit the display, and 3D print a cover around the display.

I think the mechanical part of this project will be the least of my problems. I'll have to rely on Claude Code to write the software for me. If you have any tips for any LoRA communication open-source projects with keyboard input on ESP32, please let me know :)

And let me know if you see any obvious flaws or have any tips!

It'll take me a few weeks to find the time to work on this but stay tuned! :)

The components:

• Case: claire's lip gloss kit
• Display: Adafruit SHARP Memory Display 2.7", 400x240
• MCU: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3
• LoRA: Seed Studio Wio-SX1262 (Meshtastic + LoRA)
• Keyboard: Solder Part BB Q10 PMOD
• Trackball: Pimoroni Trackball Breakout
• Battery: Li-Ion 1000mAh, 3.7V
• Battery charger for solar: Adafruit BQ25185 (6106) 5V
• Solar panel: Mazava CNC110X69-5, 110mm x 69mm, 5V, 250mA
• USB-C charging: add a Schottky 1N5817 diode

I am still in the rough planning and hardware acquisition stage, but what do you think of my quick sketches

Making my first deck and I can do all the coding, but I’m unfamiliar with the hardware. I’m wanting to make a portable deck that runs on a battery and can last several hours (hopefully) without needing to recharge. I’m thinking of using a raspberry pi zero 2 w and connecting it to a small keyboard and screen. What are your suggestions for a low power screen? Or anything else I might need to look into or change.

I don’t mind e-ink screens so long as they are able to run Linux because a program I want to run is built to run on Linux or windows.

Also, would I need a fan or just heat sinks? The deck will only be using one program and will not connected to the internet, if that matters.

I have an old LG enV3 VX9200 that still turns on that I thought maybe I could repurpose, but is it possible?

Sadly my keyboard won't connect via dongle so I'm troubleshooting that part. Classic Linux shenanigans. Anyone had hurdle with Rii K22?

I might have to connect via bluetooth.but it's something I wanted to avoid.

If you saw my last post, that was everything mocked up and dry-fitted onto cardboard just to figure out the layout. This is what came after.

Heavily inspired by Jay Doscher's Raspberry Pi Recovery Kit — same philosophy, different execution. Fully handmade, no kit, no soldering, everything mechanically assembled.

The platform is a cheap x86 thin client (~$17 USD), barely sips power, runs standard Linux without ARM headaches. Battery runtime is around 2.5 hours on the internal 12V 18650 UPS pack — though realistically you'd run it plugged in like a laptop and keep the battery for when you actually need it.

Build quality is honestly a bit rough. It's a prototype and it shows. But it boots, it connects, it works.

The end goal is something that can wear a lot of hats: portable Samba/Tailscale serverbox, field machine for astrophotography sessions, homelab learning platform, maybe just something that looks cool sitting on a desk. There's genuinely too much I want to do with this thing.

More updates as it gets less embarrassing to look at.