Raspberry Pi-Powered VirtuScope Cyberdeck Looks Plucked From the Pages of Neuromancer
Built in a 3D-printed chassis, this deck includes long-range Wi-Fi and a software-defined radio for extra flexibility.
Pseudonymous maker "doctorwade" has shown off a Raspberry Pi-powered cyberdeck build with style, using a 3D-printed housing, mechanical keyboard, and compact display to create an industrial-themed cyberpunk system that owes a debt to the work of William Gibson.
"The enclosure is entirely 3d printed," doctorwade explains of the build, recently completed. "I think there were about 20 separate printed pieces or so. Aesthetically it's more influenced by the cyberdecks of William Gibson's Neuromancer novel, or tabletop RPG Shadowrun. I tried my best to keep a consistent industrial theme, something that was maybe slapped together with junkyard scraps."
Inside the housing, which folds closed and includes a grab-handle plus shoulder-strap mounts for transportation, there's a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 8GB connected to a power board with two lithium-ion batteries. A 7" display offers a 1024x600 resolution, while external antennas connect to a long-range Wi-Fi module and a Nooelec NESDR software-defined radio.
"The keyboard is a wireless 60%-sized mechanical," doctorwade adds, "with a custom keycap set. The rear panel includes power inputs, an audio output jack, and a tiny 30x30mm fan. Lastly, an external USB adapter, for peripherals."
"I'm pretty happy with how the deck turned out. It's not exactly practical, but it does look super cool. I doubt I'll be travelling with it much: I carried it with me once while out for lunch, everyone looked at me like I was either a terrorist or an absolute asshole. Admittedly there were a couple of people who were really fascinated and asked lots of questions."
The build centres around an original design by fellow cyberdeck enthusiast "bootdsc," who designed the 3D models on which the case is based. "I did modify the files quite a bit before printing," doctorwade claims, "but this build definitely would never have happened at all if it weren’t for his work."
"All these years later and it's still so weird seeing my cyberdeck in use," bootdsc says of the project. "This one is by far the best looking of them all."
More details are available on doctorwade's Reddit thread.