KOAT0 Portable Terminal

I have decided on a display and keyboard for my cyberdeck. I explain my reasoning below. I still have to receive either, but theya are heading to my country.

Display

I have opted for a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD). The following picture is from the seller's listing.

I think I said in a previous log that I did not want to simply connect a LCD to a raspberry pi and be done. I think VFDs really give a cyberpunk vibe, maybe because it looks neon. The resolution is awful (256x50) but it should be enough to run a terminal and call my own tools and scripts. I don't want to browse the internet of anything like that using the cyberdeck. Still, I guess I can use my phone as a backup screen if needed so I will keep that in mind.

Using a custom display means I will have to write my own framebuffer driver or at least patch the kernel. I will think about that later.

Keyboard

I also decided on the following keyboard. Like the display, I am truing to go for the looks without sacrificing function or getting too expensive. The mechanical keys should give a nice tactile feel.

About this keyboard, it took me a while to decide, because:

• I loved the grey, white and orange combination. It looks cyberpunk already in my opinion, but locks my colour options for the cyberdeck shell. I mean, if I bought a simple grey keyboard, I could use yellow, blue, pink, purple for the shell, but now I'm kind of locked into using grey, white, beige and orange.
• I could not find a keyboard which looked nice and was small, most are 300mm long at least.  I could design my own keyboard, but I don't want to get into a cycle of endless yak shaving. So for this version a huge keyboard will do.

I'm still searching for ideas, I don't want my project just to be hooking a tiny screen to a keyboard and be done. Still, I don't think I can have everything working by the end of the contest. So I plan to focus more on the design (modelling, 3d printing ).

I'm mostly decided on a look with an aesthetic mimicking the following:

Cyberdecks from Cyberpunk Edgerunners

This one a handle on the side, which I really like. It seems to have a foldable screen and a physical keyboard. 

RA01 by RA

This one was my first inspiration for starting the project, it looks gorgeous. Surprisingly, the artist used a C64 case, no 3d printed parts (so it is technically made from scraps, truly like something made in a dystopia).

For more detaild check out the full story.

Garra's Cyberdeck

Another awesome build. Here the artist modelled the case, and really nailed the cyberpunk look. Check out the project on Garra's medium.

In conclusion

I guess what I want for my build is:

• To be portable and robust (no LCDs hanging on the side or the top)
• Handle on the side so it can rest on my forearm (size may be a problem here).
• 3d modelled design, I want to really be able to tweak and add details on software instead of looking for greeblies.

I'm working on this project mainly motivated by the contest, and I'm starting from scratch. I had the idea of working in something like this some time ago to learn more embedded linux, and could not get started, so the contest is nice motivation and great timing. I also want to use this as an excuse to learn more embedded linux.

I still have to research more about cyberdecks, but the main idea seems to be a futuristic portable computer with connectivity and used for hacking on the go. Aesthetics are important here, it has to look cyberpunk!

About my ideas for my build:

I'm sure of:

• It will run Linux, so I can experiment with yocto / embedded linux.
• I want it to be more like a flipper, I mean, protocols and tools. Not so much a weird laptop.
• I want it to be kinda wearable, so that I can use it comfortable resting on my forearm if needed.

I'm not sure of

• The components I will use, like keyboard and screen. Size is really important, so it can be wearable.

At the moment I'm looking for inspiration (cyberdecks in reality and media) and browsing what hardware I can use.