This Mini Cyberdeck Is Packed with Interesting Hardware
When TechAirSpace ordered parts for this mini cyberdeck, it seems that they slipped and accidentally ordered everything.
The great thing about the cyberdeck community is that it champions individuality. Who cares if Lenovo or Acer or Apple would never consider selling the device that you want? You can build it yourself, because the demands of the consumer market are irrelevant to you. That freedom surely appealed to TechAirSpace, who has interests related to technology and aerospace — as well as radio, watches, vintage electronics, and more. TechAirSpace used that freedom to build this mini cyberdeck that is packed full of interesting hardware.
TechAirSpace seems to have a particular interest in communication hardware and some of the more esoteric protocols out there. In past decades, we might have referred to them as a “ham radio operator,” but that isn’t very accurate these days. While TechAirSpace does seem to enjoy radio transmitting, they do a lot more than just that. For example, they have published several videos about Meshtastic technology.
With those interests in mind, TechAirSpace crammed all kinds of hardware into this cyberdeck. Components include: a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, a Raspberry Pi Zero, an Arduino Uno, a Heltec V3 ESP32 development board (for Meshtastic, of course), an SDR (Software-Defined Radio) dongle, a Hyperpixel 4 touchscreen, an e-ink display, a six-digit seven-segment display, two antenna ports, physical controls, a USB-C fast charging module, and three 18650 lithium battery cells.
That is a lot of hardware and much of it seems redundant, but it appears that TechAirSpace had a purpose in mind for each component. The e-ink display, for example, may seem unnecessary when there is also an LCD touchscreen, but TechAirSpace has it showing stats for their YouTube channel at all times.
TechAirSpace somehow fit all of that inside a fairly compact hard shell case, which appears to have a footprint of around 10”×10”. That’s too small to fit a standard keyboard, so TechAirSpace put a folding keyboard into the bottom half of the case. Many of the other components are in the top half, mounted on a frame made of 3D-printed plastic and sheet metal.
We aren’t sure what plans TechAirSpace has for this cyberdeck, but it certainly looks like the real-life equivalent of some kind of Hollywood prop for a hacker. And yes, it does run Doom.
