Three Gen Z hold out technology device with modern buildings in the background. Cyberdecks have gained popularity among Gen Z.
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Cyberdecks, custom-made portable computers that emulate the cyberpunk aesthetic, are quickly emerging as one of the most popular homemade devices in tech. Thanks to the popularity of Cyberpunk media like William Gibson’s novel Neuromancer and Cyberpunk 2077, users have begun building their own futuristic devices from scratch.
Gen Z content creators like Annika Tan, also known as Ubeboobey, have played a critical role in popularizing cyberdecks by sharing designs on social media which have been viewed millions of times. But what is a cyberdeck computer exactly?
A Cyberdeck is a custom-made computer with a Cyberpunk-inspired design. According to The Cyberdeck Cafe, most projects involve a single-board computer (such as a Raspberry Pi) but can also include laptops, tablets, smartphones and smartwatches. The term was originally coined by William Gibson in the 1984 novel Neuromancer.
Cyberdecks differ from traditional computers in the sense that they are homemade devices with a cyberpunk aesthetic that can be modified or adapted. That being said, a factory-produced laptop could be used as part of a cyberdeck build. Technically, any device modified to the user’s tastes could be considered a cyberdeck.
The origins of the portable hacker computer can be traced back to William Gibson’s 1984 novel Neuromancer, in which protagonist Henry Dorsett Case uses a “custom cyberspace deck” to project his consciousness into the matrix. Portable hacker computers have been featured across cyber fiction ever since.
At its core, the cyberpunk aesthetic presents gritty depictions of highly urbanized, technologically advanced dystopias, as depicted in the 1982 film Bladerunner and other adaptations. The genre often depicts improvised, homemade devices which have influenced how hobbyists design their own builds. They are also tools that many aspiring cybersecurity professionals use to learn how to become an ethical hacker on.
In cyberpunk fiction, cyberdecks are typically used for hacking. In real life, they can be used for everything from everyday computing needs to programming, development and even cybersecurity testing. For example, a developer could use the device to develop code for an application. On the other hand, a cybersecurity professional could do basic tasks such as Wifi scanning, vulnerability assessment or port scanning.
While there’s nothing a traditional computer or laptop can do that a cyberdeck can’t, the latter offers the end user more customization options than a mass-produced device. Users have complete control to build a device that’s tailor-made for their needs. The act of building itself is also a form of self-expression.
One of the easiest ways to use a cyberdeck is for note-taking. All the user needs is a computer capable of running a plain-text app, plus a keyboard or touchscreen and they can start writing notes on their very own futuristic device.
Another simple use case for a cyberdeck is for ethical hacking. For instance, the user could create a custom device running Linux or Kali, install a penetration testing tool like Nmap to scan the network for vulnerabilities and open ports.
A cyberdeck can also be used as a portable coding or programming machine. All the user needs to do is build a computer with a screen and keyboard, that’s capable of running a code editor such as Vim, Nano or Emacs.
Cyberdecks remain relatively niche but are growing in popularity among Generation Z and the cybersecurity community due to the popularity of the cyberpunk genre and the work of creators on social media. For instance, Annika Tan’s TikTok account has over 224.5k followers with 5.3 million likes on a channel dedicated to sharing Cyberdeck designs.
Another popular creator known as DTeK on YouTube has over 572,000 subscribers, with one of his most popular videos being a multi-function backup computer build which has been viewed 4.6 million times. Reddit also has its own Cyberdeck subreddit where users come together to share their designs. The subreddit has 52,000 weekly visitors and 1,900 weekly contributions.
Younger generations find cyberdecks appealing as a form of self-expression. Builders can create their own devices from household materials at minimal cost and develop a tool tailor-made to their needs. The growing popularity of these devices also reflects a growing disillusionment with the repetitive designs of mass-produced consumer laptops.
Building a DIY cyberdeck can be as easy or as complicated as the builder desires. For example, you can create a build by purchasing a single board computer, combining it with a case and then adding hardware such as LED screens, keyboards, USB ports and buttons to complete the design. Many creators opt to use 3D printers to have more control over the overall design.
Here are the basic steps for a simple cyberdeck build:
Cyberdecks are trending and the hype isn’t showing any signs of stopping anytime soon. The community is likely to grow further as more builders take to social media to share their designs, particularly as AI models add new functionalities such as voice inputs.
That being said, these devices have limited growth potential in the sense that many consumers aren’t going to want to build their own computing devices. For this reason, mainstream adoption appears unlikely, but there’s certainly going to be a diverse community of builders for the foreseeable future. Likewise if younger generations continue to experiment there could also be niche subcultures that emerge within the cyberdeck community.
Cyberdecks have gained massive momentum off the back of the popularity of Cyberpunk media. As hobbyists share more builds across social media, more people are going to see that you don’t necessarily need to have technical knowledge to build your own device.
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