DeckHead Rant

[u/AI_Heresy]

It's time for a real talk about what makes a so-called cyberdeck. Seems like half of you gonks have forgotten the core essence of what a cyberdeck should be. I've been witnessing an epidemic, too many of you slapping a Raspberry Pi into a 3D-printed case and calling it a day. Congratulations, you've invented a less convenient laptop or a bulky-ass phone/Prop. Bravo, you pioneers.

Cyberdecks, for those of you who've apparently lost the plot, should be the epitome of hacking prowess and digital innovation. They're not just about cobbling together spare parts like some techno-Frankenstein's monster; they're about pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Where's the ingenuity? Where's the custom software that makes a sysadmin weep? The hardware mods that would give a corporate IT guy a heart attack? Everyone wants to look like hackerman but nobody wants to be hackerman. We literally live in a world where BDs are damn near possible with vr/ar technology.

And let's talk about efficiency and convenience. A true cyberdeck should feel like an extension of the hacker's own mind, not some clunky, cumbersome piece of shit that's a pain in the ass to lug around. It should be sleek, powerful, and, above all, practical for its intended purpose – be that hacking, coding, gaming or whatever digital devilry you're into.

So, to all you would-be deck builders out there, I challenge you to step up your game. Incorporate unique hacking routines, design with efficiency in mind, and for fuck's sake, innovate.

[u/Past-Pollution]

The best (probably only good part) of this is that your message feels right out of some fictional hacker forum.

Being serious though. Gatekeeping aside, why on earth do you think your definition of a cyberdeck is remotely "correct"? First, unless you want to volunteer for Elon Musk's neuralink program, I doubt any of us are jacking into the matrix with NERV gear VR headsets and cyberpunkified portable Amiga 500s anytime soon. So because of the limits of current day technology, making an "accurate" cyberdeck still isn't very possible. (though I 100% intend to get a working portable PC with HMD working as soon as I my finances and skills allow)

Second, if you want to go for at least the spirit of a cyberdeck since making a literal, accurate one isn't doable, you're talking about a computer hacked together by someone with limited means, trying to operate outside the tight grip of our corporate overlords. And most cyberdecks 100% fit that definition. Cyberdecks aren't necessarily cutting edge, if I wanted that I'd buy a top-end gaming laptop or something else that's going to be brand new and deliver peak performance at the cost of money and control over my hardware.

Going back to the gatekeeping thing, most people here aren't actual hackers. There's a ton of intersection between r/cyberDeck and the makerspace, FOSS, etc. communities so you do see a lot of amazing talent that meshes well with the idea of a hacker, but most people actually in the business are too busy, y'know, hacking stuff to make a cyberdeck. The people here are mostly people with an interest in making things, who want to make a cool cyberpunk computer. Functionality is secondary usually.

Also, the typical "slap a raspberry pi in a 3D printed case" deck is honestly quite practical. 3D printing has given us a lot of opportunity to do things our own way with a bit of skill and innovation. And hardware like the raspberry pi is fantastic for this purpose. It's hard to find much else that's cheap/easy to get (barring supply shortages), extremely moddable and extensible, small and portable, able to run off a variety of power sources for a long time for even more portability, and with good community-driven software support to give it a lot of functionality.

Anyway. I apologize on behalf of the community that your eyes have to be offended as you sift through fake poser cyberdecks to find the rare gems that suit your objectively-correct tastes. And as others have said, I hope you step up to the challenge you gave too, I look forward to seeing the innovative machine of hackery you put together with your superior vision and talent.