My FAILED Cyberdeck Build
//Comment: I failed using the RockPiN10 because i couldn't get my eDP display working. And bought a DSI display that also didn't work [thx waveshare for blob shit drivers]
I'm a big long time cyberpunk fan even before reading Neuromancer. After getting addicted to mechanical keyboards and building many portable gaming consoles, i feel like it's time to finally build my own cyberdeck!
The deck is supposed to be a portable computer like a notebook. Small but usable. The GPIO & other external interfaces of the SBC [Single Board Computers] should all be accessable from the outside. For the keyboard there is only one option, a mechanical one. Preferable a custom build, or something in the 60% to 40% area. A mouse is optinal but a trackpad/-ball would be benefitial.
Planned Features#
Must have#
- Batteries with charge & play
- Powerfull SBC
- Mechanical keyboard
- GPIO breakout
- Internal Speakers
Should have#
- Trackball / -pad
- Software defined radio with external antenna
- Internal USB-Hub for additional internal devices [SDR, GPS, Keyboard, ...]
- EL-Wire for cyberpunk fanciness
Could have / other ideas#
- GPS with internal antenna
- Solar panel for charging
- External wifi antenna
- LoRa?
Components#
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Rock Pi N10 | Powerfull SBC to drive my deck |
| HD702E LCD | 7" Display with eDP interface |
| JJ50 | Small mechanical keyboard |
| Trackball | The Pimoroni Trackball Breakout seems like a good option |
| Batteries | Depends on the space i have in the case |
| RetroPSU | Helder's RetroPSU seems like a good battery management solution |
| ELWire & Transformator | Ordered some green ELWire with a cheap 5V transformator, let's hope it's not too noisy |
Case#
I will design the case from scratch in fusion 360 and will be made open source if it turns out good.
Custom PCBs#
eDP Adapter#
To match the eDP interface of the Rock Pi N10 to the display, i had to design a custom PCB. The design is already finished & the PCBs have been produced by OSHPark.
Software#
Theming XFCE#
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1320508/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1400299/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1559880/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1315893/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1408367/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1306506/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1508333/
- https://www.xfce-look.org/p/1613474/
- https://www.pling.com/p/1235909/
Icons#
- https://www.xfce-look.org/s/XFCE/p/1460991
- https://www.xfce-look.org/s/XFCE/p/1316887
- https://www.xfce-look.org/s/XFCE/p/1436570