GoKawiilis a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.
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Tan and countless other DIYers are attracting millions of views showing off the personal computers they’ve built inside purses, jewelry boxes, toys, and old tech, hiding Raspberry Pi boards inside art projects.
Cyberdecks, but make it fashion
The colorful, quirky builds popping up across social media are a drastic shift away from the typical look the cyberdecks we’ve featured have had, which often consisted of a 3D-printed chassis or a rugged box like a Pelican case, usually with a cyberpunk-style design.
Inside, these homemade devices are essentially mini Linux computers for specific tasks, usually done offline, like reading, journaling, or listening to music. But now, a cyberdeck doesn’t have to look like a computer at all.
This new movement emphasizes using recycled or thrifted parts and leans more into the artistic side of making a cyberdeck. One TikTok user who goes by @diypagancrafts created a cyberdeck out of a retro TV-themed purse with the screen on the outside and the Raspberry Pi, keyboard, and a game controller stored inside. Almost anything with enough space for a single-board computer and a screen can be a cyberdeck — a Dunkin’ Donuts munchkin box, a Pokeball, an Altoids tin, a plastic box stuffed with fake moss and flowers.