GitHub

DIYer and TikTok user Annike Tan (@ubeboobey) says the CyberDeck doesn't look like a computer at all, so you can carry it around without anyone noticing. Tan, who appears on The Cut and Wired, went viral earlier this year for creating a mermaid-themed cyberdeck inside an old wallet. She has since upgraded it, creating an MP3 player and a solar-powered cyberdeck.

Cyberdeck used to look like a small laptop, but now it's more personalized.

They don't make cyberdecks like they used to.

Tan and other DIY enthusiasts are racking up millions of views showing off personal computers embedded inside wallets, jewelry boxes, toys, old technology, and hiding Raspberry Pi boards inside art projects.

Cyberdecks, but make it fashion

The colorful and quirky builds seen on social media are a departure from the typical Cyberdecks we've seen. Cyberdecks are often constructed from a sturdy box, such as a 3D printed chassis or Pelican case, and typically have a cyberpunk-style design.

Inside, these home-made devices are essentially miniLinux computers for specific tasks typically performed offline, such as reading, journaling, or listening to music. But now CyberDeck doesn't have to look like a computer at all.

This new movement emphasizes the use of recycled or used items and focuses more on the artistic aspect of creating a cyberdeck. One TikTok user who goes by @diypagancrafts created a cyberdeck out of a retro TV-themed wallet with a screen on the outside and a Raspberry Pi, keyboard, and game controller stored inside. Almost anything with a single board computer and enough space for a screen can become a Cyberdeck. There are Dunkin' Donuts munchkin boxes, Pokeballs, Altoids cans, plastic boxes filled with fake moss and flowers, and more.