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ZDNET's key takeaways

• The cyberdeck name comes from the 1984 novel Neuromancer.
• They're DIY computers that can be based on a cyberpunk vibe.
• If you don't fancy building a cyberdeck, why not try buying your own?

Everyone seems to be talking about cyberdecks. At the risk of mixing up sci-fi genres, that's a name that I've not heard in a long time. No, cyberdecks aren't a Star Wars thing. Instead, the term was coined by William Gibson in the 1984 near-future dystopian cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer.

In the novel, hackers, called "console cowboys," would use cyberdecks to hook up to cyberspace (another term that Gibson came up with, two years earlier in a short story called Burning Chrome). In the book, they're described as custom-built, rectangular, deck-like computers with red and green LEDs that are used to jack into the matrix (yes, Gibson used that term too).

Also: The Flipper One is the Linux cyberdeck I wish my Raspberry Pi could be

Similar devices have also appeared in movies such as Blade Runner, Mad Max, and Alien.

Fast forward to 2026, and it seems that people are building cyberdecks. But what are they, why are people excited about them, and how do you get your own?

What is a cyberdeck?

Bottom line, it's a portable computer. At the risk of upsetting people in the maker and hacker communities, a cyberdeck can be pretty much anything that you want it to be.

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Given their origin, cyberdecks usually have a cyberpunk/retro/dystopian/post-apocalyptic look and feel, but they don't have to. Sure, you can go for the full-on cyberpunk look, but a cyberdeck can also be a basic, utilitarian computer, or you can even build one inside an Altoids tin or Grandma's biscuit tin.

Yes, an entire computer inside a tin.

Or it can be an off-the-shelf system made to look cool... although if you post about your creation on Reddit, don't be surprised if someone posts this meme in response to it.

If it's a computer, and there's a screen or an HMD (head-mounted display), and a keyboard that can be physical or virtual, it can be a cyberdeck. I'm not going to be a gatekeeper on people's fun and creativity.

So, what do you need to build a cyberdeck?

Well, given my "a cyberdeck can be anything you want it to be" stance, this is where things start to get somewhat vague. But that doesn't mean I can't give you some pointers, along with a look at a simple yet powerful cyberdeck that I built a while back.

A computer

You need a computer. Something small yet powerful. Fortunately, we live in a time when there are no shortages of single-board computers (SBCs) to choose from. You could go for the somewhat traditional Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, go for the smaller Raspberry Pi Zero 2, or go for something more obscure like a BeagleBone or Banana Pi board.

If this is your first build, I strongly suggest that you use a Raspberry Pi, either the full-sized boards or a Zero. These are very popular options, so there's going to be information, parts, and accessories out there.

A display

Plenty of options here, from the standard Raspberry Pi touchscreen display to something smaller like the PiSugar Whisplay HAT.

A keyboard

This is where the myriad of tiny Bluetooth keyboards comes in handy. You can get something tiny, folding, or weird-looking to suit your needs. Many come with a built-in trackpad, which is a great way to interface with your cyberdeck.

Also: The best Raspberry Pi alternatives of 2026: Expert recommended

Think that it's cheating to buy a keyboard? You can make one if you really want Yes, even down to the circuit board. I'll be honest with you, that's more effort than I want to put into one, but it's a great way to learn a whole bunch of skills.

Power

Your cyberdeck will need power. Again, if your system is built around a Raspberry Pi, there are plenty of options. You can use 18650 lithium-ion batteries and a controller board, or you can choose a board that has a built-in battery.

Also: This 'cardputer' sits between the Raspberry Pi and Flipper Zero - but it's uniquely better

You could also choose a small power bank that has its own controller and connect that to the board's power port. If you're taking a less-trodden path when it comes to SBCs, you'll have to do a bit of research and find what's available for you.

A case

Here you've got the option of an off-the-shelf case, especially if you've taken the Raspberry Pi route, because there are a lot of third-party cases out there for those boards, or you can repurpose something like a tin box.

Also: 7 useful things I can do with my Flipper Zero - as someone who's used it for years

If you've got a 3D printer, you can custom-build your own case. You can find hundreds of designs for cyberdeck cases that you can 3D print yourself at home, or you can buy pre-printed cases (these command a premium price compared to how much they'd cost you to print yourself, but they are a great option for those without access to a printer).

Can you buy a cyberdeck?

Yes.

Trawl the shelves of eBay or Etsy and you'll find ready-made systems, although they're not cheap. If you wanted something cheaper, you could grab a Raspberry Pi 500 and add a display.

Or there's a Cardputer, which is one of the tiniest systems I've used.

Then there's the Flipper Zero, a real-life hacking tool. Or, and I think this will probably be the closest thing to a real-life cyberdeck, there's a Flipper One in the works that looks absolutely incredible.

Also: The Flipper One may be the ultimate Linux PC for hackers in 2026 - and I'm excited

It's mostly a case of what you want your cyberdeck to do and how much you want to spend.

My cyberdeck

My "cyberdeck" (I put that in quotes because it was never built as a cyberdeck, but as a tool) is a system I built out of an overclocked Raspberry Pi that I installed Kali Linux onto.

Kali, for those who haven't come across it before, is a Debian-based Linux distro that's built for very specific tasks, such as penetration testing, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. Kali is a massive topic in and of itself, and not for the faint of heart, but it's also a super powerful platform, even when installed on Raspberry Pi hardware.

Also: 8 Linux distros I always recommend first to developers - and why

I recently upgraded the SBC from a Pi 4 to a Pi 5, and that meant upgrading the touch screen because that wasn't compatible with the new board. I also upgraded the Wi-Fi to get more advanced capabilities. Yes, I could have bought something off-the-shelf that would have worked just as well -- maybe better -- but I'm super pleased with the system.

It's fast, versatile, and highly reliable.

I've toyed with making a custom case, but that's one of those projects for a day when I've not much to do, and lately those have been thin on the ground.

Do you need a cyberdeck?

Yes. No. Maybe.

It really depends on you and what your needs are.

Also: Why my Raspberry Pi boards suddenly cost as much as a laptop now - and I'm not surprised

Need a tool to do a job? Then there are probably cheaper, easier options that you can buy off-the-shelf. But if you want a tool that's fun to build, looks cool, and is still practical, then a cyberdeck might be just what you want in your life. They're also a cool, fun way to get children interested in various aspects of tech. I know quite a few parents who have used cyberdecks as a springboard for a number of cool projects that their kids have enjoyed.

And there's nothing wrong with just wanting one because they're cool and you want to be a console cowboy.