I think I need to build a cyberdeck

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 05 Feb 2026, 16:20

I've been seeing a lot of stuff kicking around about handheld computers and have mentioned wanting something to practice using the linux terminal on that has no distractions to the device. I just wan to design something as big as a blackberry, maybe a bit larger to accommodate an okay sized keyboard. I have a pi or two I can burn for a project on his magnitude, but not really sure where to start with designing it.

Here's some inspiration of what I'm thinking:

https://www.clockworkpi.com/home-uconsole

I do think that a lot could be done with tthe carkb
https://docs.m5stack.com/en/unit/cardkb

Any thoughts/ pointers?

bitzero · Post by **bitzero** » 05 Feb 2026, 16:52

Well. https://hackaday.com/category/cyberdecks/ is a good source for insipring projects. And https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/ on Reddit, also.
But you're basically reinventing the https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole so this is probably the best inspiration possibile.
Have fun!

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 05 Feb 2026, 16:57

bitzero wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026, 16:52 Well. https://hackaday.com/category/cyberdecks/ is a good source for insipring projects. And https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/ on Reddit,
But you're basically reinventing the https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole so this is probably the best inspiration possibile.

Not necessarily reinventing it, just want to strip it down further. No GUI, terminal only.

I have been looking at those places quite a bit lately, and it's helped a lot for shape and what I want it to include.
I think the blackberry keyboard is cool, but is way too much money considering the shipping.

I think I'm struggling on how to design a case. what software do I use? Can I use blender?

zeyus · Post by **zeyus** » 05 Feb 2026, 18:34

I think I'm struggling on how to design a case. what software do I use? Can I use blender?

Yes you can, but I would advise against it because it's easy to make impossible to print or mould shapes.

What kind of experience do you have with CAD?
I designed a rubber band dispenser box with lid and clips the other day because it was useful and a good opportunity to get to know FreeCAD. If you are up for the challenge I would recommend it, but it is so, so unintuitive coming from other (non-parametric, non-CAD) software, so the learning curve is a sheer wall if you're jumping in fresh.

If you have no CAD experience, it will be a struggle in general (just my opinion and if someone has an easy, intuitive tool I'm keen to learn about it), but maybe starting with (free for personal use) Autodesk Fusion. It is similar to FreeCAD, as a parametric design software, but, slightly more user friendly.

You can definitely use blender, but it might end up giving you some headaches.

HMU if you want some advice on using FreeCAD or Fusion, because, despite the wealth of information on the internet, and having some CAD experience, it took me embarrassingly long to make a hole in a surface the first time hahaha

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 05 Feb 2026, 20:36

zeyus wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026, 18:34
What kind of experience do you have with CAD?

I've used tinkercad a few times, and sort of understand it. I could probably even do it in there if tthe design is simple enough.

zeyus · Post by **zeyus** » 05 Feb 2026, 20:40

bitform wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026, 20:36
zeyus wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026, 18:34
What kind of experience do you have with CAD?
I've used tinkercad a few times, and sort of understand it. I could probably even do it in there if tthe design is simple enough.

Nice, that might be the way to go, at least to start prototyping! Would love to see some updates if you want to share at some point

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 06 Feb 2026, 13:46

zeyus wrote: ↑05 Feb 2026, 20:40 Would love to see some updates if you want to share at some point

My knowledge is still really sparse in different directions. I know a little bit of everything except the practical stuff. How to connect the pieces in software so they run together and function etc.

Any resources would be appreciated!

zeyus · Post by **zeyus** » 06 Feb 2026, 17:16

bitform wrote: ↑06 Feb 2026, 13:46 Any resources would be appreciated!

I honestly haven't come across anything so far that I've been wowed by, I just had to look for specific things I was trying to do and occasionally there'd be a nice reply on reddit or a youtube video showing the steps!

I have attached 5 cad files, 4 for fusion (that's what I was starting with because a colleague recommended it) and one freecad file. They're just little projects I've designed and 3D printed.

The nice thing about parametric CAD is that these files show you literally step-by-step what I did which might be helpful

(at least I hope it might be)

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 10 Feb 2026, 15:51

zeyus wrote: ↑06 Feb 2026, 17:16
I have attached 5 cad files, 4 for fusion (that's what I was starting with because a colleague recommended it) and one freecad file. They're just little projects I've designed and 3D printed.

The nice thing about parametric CAD is that these files show you literally step-by-step what I did which might be helpful (at least I hope it might be)

I'd be down to look at them, but in no way am I going that far into it.Maybe some day I'll go deep enough.
I'll likely just break and solder a bunch of pieces together to make something.

Buny · Post by **Buny** » 11 Feb 2026, 06:52

I've used TinkerCAD for 3D design too and it's good for beginners. Its what the library uses for 3d printing 101 classes.

bitform · Post by **bitform** » 18 Feb 2026, 19:44

Buny wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026, 06:52 I've used TinkerCAD for 3D design too and it's good for beginners. Its what the library uses for 3d printing 101 classes.

it's exactly how I wound up learning how to use it!