By Benjamin Brabson
What’s nova, Chooms? If you’ve ever played Cyberpunk 2077 (or maybe just scrolled tech-TikTok), you’ve probably at least heard of a cyberdeck.
In short, a cyberdeck is a custom-made computer. And they represent something important, a necessary piece of resistance, in a time where big tech corpo-cyberware- I mean, large tech Corporations and governments worldwide are increasingly moving to an operating model based on making ordinary people rent their lives on a subscription, digitally and otherwise.
How do cyberdecks do this? Cyberdecks put you back in control of your own machine, allowing you to specify your hardware, software, and ergonomics. You can use a fairly simple “recipe” to make a truly personalized device that you know better than anyone else, and that works for whatever use you personally require. Cyberdecks also represent a layer of accessibility when most retail computers continue to increase in price regularly.
This is an especially important part of the philosophy behind a cyberdeck. The term originated in the 1984 Sci-fi novel Neuromancer, by William Gibson. The tabletop RPG and later videogame series Cyberpunk was inspired by it. And the “punk” part is inseparable from the idea as a whole.
Neuromancer itself took themes from the punk ethos of the 1970s, which cyberdecks help support.
Those include:
Non-conformity:
Most people don’t grow up building their own computers. In a culture that’s centered around
consumerism, building your own device is about as non-conformist as you can get.
Anti-Authoritarianism:
In countries under authoritarian regimes, tech can be used to circumvent government shutdowns. Like in 2025, when Togolese youth-led protests demanded an end to the 58-year dynastic rule of the Gnassingbé family. In the midst of a crisis, P2P tech, Bluetooth and LoRa mesh networks, generators and solar systems can help keep vital services running, and make a lifesaving difference in the case of any crisis, like an economic crash, grid failure, or natural disaster.
Anti-Corporatocracy:
The fight for ownership over data, source code, and technology is as old as technology itself. UNIX, a proprietary OS (operating system), was developed by AT&T at Bell Labs starting in 1969. The project was eventually made closed-source, ending “Research UNIX” editions and prompting researchers at UC Berkeley to develop the earliest Linux operating systems, which run IoT devices, Android phones, and more.
DIY Ethics:
What better way to learn than by building your own? Being able to build one thing frequently
leads to another, which makes everyone more anti-fragile.
Anti-Consumerism:
You’ve likely heard of ongoing “buy nothing” protests happening all over. Being able to trade with other people and salvage or produce your own goods goes a long way towards “voting with your wallet”. You might not realize how much influence you have in your community by being intentional with what businesses you support, and when. Look for local stores instead of larger chains.
Not “Selling Out”:
There’s something to be said for doing things “the right way”. Open-source maintainers put in tremendous effort to keep resources free and functional, motivated by the spirit of collaboration. The feeling of making something to share with your community is deeply satisfying. Punk philosophy is about putting power back in the hands of people. Cyberpunk is about the still burning flame of resistance in a world that’s already too far gone. Rocking with your inner punk right now is a great way to take back agency in your life, and helps to steer our culture back toward a future that is more optimistic for everyone.
Now, you’re probably wondering how to get started. Here’s the rundown, Choom.
Number One: A “brain”
One option is a Raspberry Pi. These are remarkably powerful computers for their size. You can make a computer able to browse the web, perform media playback, and do light office work with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 or newer. On the high end, entire Mini-PCs work as the brain, too. Most projects use a single-board computer (SBC) but can be scaled. If you’re willing to experiment, you’ll find most devices can either be used for salvage parts or can be jailbroken. You can use a smartphone or Nintendo Switch. You can use a laptop. Genuinely, the sky is the limit here. Look in social media groups or Facebook Marketplace. Now and then, colleges will buy new devices and sell old ones, often at a steep discount.
Number Two: A Screen.
Depending on what device you used, you may have an attached screen already. If not, any screen that has an HDMI port and a USB port for power will work.
Number Three: An Input Device
You can use a small Bluetooth keyboard, game console controller, or digital art pad. It’s a fun way to experiment with finding out what configuration works best for you.
Number Four: A Power Solution
One option is a rechargeable power bank. Keep in mind that some power banks will cut off if the
devices connected to it draw low current.
Number Five: A Shell
Technically anything can work. For this, you can use a lunchbox, a tackle box, or make something out of cardboard. For a more professional look, you can 3D print it. If you don’t know how to 3D print, you can simply download a free design from websites like Printables, TinkerCAD Library, Thingiverse, or others. Then, you can go to a Public Library and reserve an appointment to use the 3D printer. At the time of writing, the Bellview and Westside Libraries offer this service in their STEAM Makerspaces. Don’t forget to decorate your shell! Use whatever suits you.
Number Six: Memory Storage
For portable devices, external hard drives and SD Cards are both great options, but also be sure to pick up at minimum a 16gb high speed Flash Drive for the final step:
Number Seven: A Linux Distro (Operating System)
Linux OS are free, open-source systems. Depending on which parts you’ve used, your distro will vary. The flash drive is needed to install the OS on your device. This step definitely requires a little extra research, but don’t be intimidated. Instructions for your OS can be found on the official website. With Raspberry Pi, Raspbian is an OS that usually comes loaded. Or, if you really want to go full cyberpunk, you can use Netrunner.
The Linux Foundation website offers a free 101 course that will teach you all the basics of what Linux is, how to use it, popular distros, and more, and you can also check YouTube or DistroWatch for more help.
Now that we’ve covered the basic plan, to learn more, check out The Multiverse School, which has an in-depth course on cyberdeck building specifically. Other good websites include Hackaday, FreeCodeCamp, and HowToGeek. Once You’ve built your own deck, be sure to show it off and teach a friend how to build their own! The more people learn, and the more autonomy they gain, the stronger our communities become.