Destroy Big Tech With a Salvaged Cyberdeck - Make:

Destroy Big Tech With a Salvaged Cyberdeck - Make:

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Destroy Big Tech With a Salvaged Cyberdeck

Computers & Mobile<br>Raspberry Pi<br>Technology

Since Annike Tan (aka @UbeBoobey) posted her excellent thrifted mermaid cyberdeck, people all over have been excited to own their tech with recycled parts. And though hers might not have been the first soft-case cyberdeck, it’s heartwarming to see people building technology on their own time again, complete with bright 90’s colors and mint tin enclosures. I for one welcome our new maximalist cyber future.

The beauty of these decks isn’t just on the outside. It seems that companies forcing people to rent media they used to own and tracking users at every turn have soured a few folks on buying from big tech, and turned them to building their own devices instead. If that wasn’t rebellious enough, some are even trying to avoid purchasing the components themselves.

We’ve seen portable Raspberry Pi devices for over a decade and makers have been voiding warranties from the start. But after years of soldered batteries, glued cases, and forced obsolescence, it’s no wonder that people are claiming ownership over their digital lives. If you’re interested in scavenging up parts for your own personal machines, here are some builds that pull it off exquisitely.

Select a screen

You may be surrounded by slow laptops with working screens and tempted to harvest their glowy goodness for general use. The tricky part, aside from how delicate they are, is that the laptop won’t have an HDMI port inside itself to plug into. But don’t let that deter you! There are various DIY monitor builds out there proving how, with the right adapter, you can get some use out of these old screens.

Alternatively you can make like @tankgirltapes and go old-school with a CRT monitor, which also reuses a cooler for the enclosure. Not recommended for those who skip arm day.

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Source some speakers

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Eli Jorgensen gave a cheap record player a better life with the most colorful cyberdeck on the list. It’s a nice plus when a donated case comes with its own speakers.

You’ll need some input

Keyboards are everywhere. If you want a used one, they seem to grow on the shelves at secondhand stores. But you don’t have to settle for the first one you find.

Portable ones might be ideal for size, but make sure you leave a way to charge it. Expect a short delay for Bluetooth to connect. Get one with a trackpad if you don’t want to carry around a mouse too.

It’s also possible to reuse laptop keyboards with the right hardware, like this USB controller by Frank Adams. Or you can get inspired by a donor case like Matthew Dockrey (aka Attoparsec) and make uncommon input the whole point. While it’s beautiful, he admits it isn’t the most practical controller. He really leaned into the toy’s punch card interface and 11 built-in buttons: "You really have to want to use this thing."

Power up!

Seashell cyberdeck by @bossbratbimbo.

Your deck can’t be portable without a battery. You might have noticed lithium batteries never quite standardized the way AA’s did (at least not in the US). But there are some exceptions if you get creative.

Drill batteries are one place where manufacturers pick a form and stick with it for a while. They aren’t the lightest thing in the world, but this cosplay deck by @Da-Ti still uses them for up to two hours of power.

If you have an old USB power pack then you’ve found a simple way to start, provided it has enough juice for you and doesn’t suddenly shut off without warning. Claudia (aka @bossbratbimbo) gutted one for this terrific mermaid shell deck, which even includes a custom OS to get the most bang out of a $20 Raspberry Pi 3.

This Pelican case radio deck thoughtfully adds a solar panel for long trips. It also adds salvaged LiPo cells in a somewhat hazardous spot. Alex notes: "Don’t type too hard or the solder joints on the back of the keyboard might stab the cells."

Cobble together a computer

The hardest part to scavenge has got to be the brain. Despite the fact that we’re surrounded by "smart" things, most of the mainboards in our devices just aren’t compatible with other hardware. It sucks. But if you’re unable to source a new Raspberry Pi, here are some workarounds:

Mac Mini Cyberdeck enclosure by Will Haude, aka 3D Brooklyn

Unsurprisingly Will Haude of 3DBrooklyn, a design studio that creates custom products to for marketing campaigns and events, came up with a slick, custom look for their cyberdeck (featured), giving it boxy, old school Mac vibes. For the guts, this classy Retro futuristic style enclosure uses an old Mac mini and a touch screen display. It sits with the top...