DIYers Turn Cyberdecks Into Artful Disguises With 1 Raspberry Pi as TikTok Views Surge
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jun 4
DIYers Turn Cyberdecks Into Artful Disguises With 1 Raspberry Pi as TikTok Views Surge
1 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 4
Summary
Cyberdecks are shifting from rugged mini-laptops into personalized objects hidden inside purses, jewelry boxes, toys and other thrifted containers, turning the DIY computer into something that often no longer looks like a computer.
1 Raspberry Pi board plus a small screen is enough for many of the builds, which are typically mini Linux machines designed for offline tasks such as reading, journaling or listening to music.
Annike Tan, known as @ubeboobey, helped drive the trend after a mermaid-themed cyberdeck built into an old purse went viral; she has since upgraded it and built an MP3 player and a solar-powered version.
Millions of social-media views are now rewarding makers who emphasize recycled parts and artistic presentation, marking a clear break from older cyberdecks built around 3D-printed shells or Pelican-style cases.