Summary
- A custom-built portable cyberdeck computer uses a vintage Sony Watchman CRT TV connected to a Raspberry Pi.
- The computer has a retro aesthetic, runs off a battery pack, and can function like a regular PC with a Linux-based OS.
- While not practical for daily use, this unique project showcases the possibility of creating small, conversation-starting custom computers.
Everyone loves tiny computers, but tiny custom computers are always a feat. This one is more of a cool proof-of-concept than an actually useful product, but we’ll allow it.
Someone has put together a “cyberdeck”—a custom-built, cyberpunk-looking portable computer—using a very unique subset of hardware features. The device, created by /u/Granitsky, employs a vintage, extremely small Sony Watchman CRT television. It’s a portable TV released in 1985 that’s probably too tiny to be functional in a computer, but was used back in the day for things like door camera systems. Now, it’s seeing a second life in a very unique way. This TV uses a composite input to display video output from the main computer, a Raspberry Pi 3B+ unit hooked up to a wireless keyboard and mousepad, making for an extremely compact computer that certainly looks unusual and makes for a nice conversation opener.
This computer runs off a battery pack and it looks like something straight out of a game like Fallout, with an extremely retro aesthetic. And the fact it runs off a Raspberry Pi also means that it can work as a regular computer. You can make it run a Linux-based operating system and make it work like a pocket computer if you want, though the small CRT display could present a challenge if you actually want to use this as a legitimate PC. It’s hooked up to a battery pack, so there’s nothing stopping it from working untethered like a true portable PC. The Raspberry Pi is running off that battery pack, while the CRT display is running off four AA batteries, though the original publisher said that they want to put everything under the same battery pack.
This is clearly not meant to be used as a daily driver PC, but it’s a cool little project that shows it can be done. And the CRT display gives it some extra charm that a lot of pocket computers or laptops can’t really do. CRT isn’t something we saw a lot on laptops, as those went almost straight directly to flat screens. This is also quite a bit smaller than a laptop, so it’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. If anything, you can think of this as a slightly bigger PDA with no touch screen and a lot more of a “hacky” look to it. Pretty cool stuff.
Evidently, you can’t buy this, though if OP ever wants to list a more “finished” version of this, he might be able to sell some custom-made units. It wouldn’t be the first or the last DIY project to go this route.
Source: Reddit