Raspberry Pi shares its official tutorial for cyberdeck

The trend of building custom, homemade mini computers has been gaining massive traction online recently, with portable devices known as cyberdecks being crafted from everyday items like purses, jewelry boxes, and recycled components. After going viral on short-form video platforms like TikTok over the past year, Raspberry Pi has officially stepped into the trend by launching its very own guide to building one of these custom computers.

Ashley Whittaker, Raspberry Pi's head of social, acknowledged the widespread phenomenon by noting that the company simply hasn't been able to escape cyberdecks this year. This enthusiasm served as the primary motivation for creating an official assembly guide, aiming to support both active and prospective hobbyists looking to build their own custom portable rigs.

Raspberry Pi's official backing of the cyberdeck community highlights a strategic move to sustain hardware engagement amidst ongoing component cost pressures. By encouraging makers to repurpose unconventional enclosures for their boards, the company fosters grassroots innovation while maintaining a loyal base among electronics hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts who push the hardware beyond traditional desktop setups.

The newly published guide includes a comprehensive parts list along with detailed step-by-step assembly instructions, opting for a straightforward design housed inside a plain black Pelican-style case. However, as numerous digital creators have already demonstrated, builders are by no means restricted to standard utility cases and can theoretically turn almost anything into a functional cyberdeck.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

A prime example is Annike Tan, whose custom cyberdecks have accumulated millions of views on TikTok. She continues to refine her signature mermaid purse cyberdeck by introducing fresh design modifications and even integrating an additional USB hub to enhance its overall hardware capabilities.