Cyberdecks are great projects, and [Salim Benbouziyane]’s scratch-built CM Deck is a fantastic specimen. It’s a clamshell-style cyberdeck with custom split keyboard, trackpad, optional external WiFi antenna, and some slick underlighting thanks to a translucent bottom shell. There’s even a hidden feature that seems super handy for a cyberdeck: a special USB-C port that, when plugged in to another host (like another computer), lets the cyberdeck act as an external keyboard and trackpad for that downstream machine.
Notably, the CM Deck is custom-built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Model 5. When we first peeped the CM5 the small size was striking, but of course that comes at the cost of having no connectors, supporting hardware, or heat management. That’s something [Salim] embraced because it meant being able to put connectors exactly where he wanted them, and not have to work around existing hardware. A custom PCB let him to lay out his cyberdeck with greater freedom, less wasted space, and ultimately integrate a custom-built keyboard (with RP2040 and QMK firmware).
Even the final enclosure is custom-made, with 3D printing being used to validate the design and PCBway providing finished plastic shells in addition to manufacturing the PCBs. [Salim] admits that doing so was an indulgence, but his delight at the quality of the translucent purple undercarriage is palpable.
[Salim]’s video (embedded below) is a deep dive into the whole design and build process, and it’s a great watch for anyone interested in the kind of work and decisions that go into making something like this. Experienced folks can expect to nod in sympathy when [Salim] highlights gotchas like doing CAD work based on the screen’s drawings, only to discover later that the physical unit doesn’t quite match.
The GitHub repository contains the design files for everything, so give it a browse if you’re interested. [Salim] is no stranger to clean builds, so take a moment to admire his CRT-style Raspberry Pi terminal as well.
Thanks [Keith Olson] for sharing the tip!
This looks quite beautiful.
Same sentiment. I am genuinely impressed. This looks like it came from someone with a few real products under their belt. I also want one.
Excellent project, and thank you for sharing!
Best of all, it has a carrying handle!
Looks lovely. Serious props to him.
Gotta keep in mind it’s a work of Art. Passion, even. (Passion: “Intense irrational impulse”)
Objectively, in cold-hearted specs it fails in comparison to a commodity laptop on pretty much any metric, and oh-my-god what a lot of work. But that’s not the point, right?
It’s a gorgeous result. Kudos.
Oh, you mean the usual HaD complaining that people makes stuff they could buy or be better made by a professional/company? Or the “if you don’t value your time, why not” kind of thing? :)
It’s not even just an art of passion, Salim or any other maker taking this route, is improving own skill and knowledge. He was able to design a custom PCB (even though based on the Raspberry mobo schematic), this is a step forward to is future own original design.
Custom is and will always be more expensive than serialized products.
Sorry, I assumed the normal HaD reader would see the “But that’s not the point, right?” and just know that it’s the journey and the learning that is the point.
I never mentioned expense. Why even bother bringing that up?
My bad, it was poorly phrased and not directed at you.
Does the 12.3inch DSI Capacitive Touch Screen used have a resolution of 1920×720@60Hz ?
Wait a moment… Any MIPI screen works now with the RPi5?
Yes MIPI DSI screens works with all RPis with DSI interface
But I read that the firmware, at least in the old raspberries, only worked for an specific resolution… The same than the official RPi 7″screen. That’s what I meant: is it now possible to use screens of any resolution? Because that screen clearly has bigger resolution, at least horizontally…
Latest ESP32-P4 works with MIPI screens no problem. I am unsure, though, they can push more than 1080p, but that’s still laptop level video output.
Was looking at obtianing one of those $15-$25 boards with the MIPI plug present, though, that project is on hold until summer.
I was wondering how long before HaD would notice this project :)
You know me for complaining on video content, especially YouTube, Salim, with Polymatt are the exception. No stupid joke, or 3/4 of video on facecam and other narcissistic traits, nope, just pure will of sharing a piece of work. Every minutes well spent.
Suuuuuper clean.
And I love the extra usability of letting the keyboard be used for an external device.
Next step would be to have video input to use the display as a monitor too, so it could be a real KVM cart, with optional on-board computer.
It’s not a cyberdeck though.
A cyberdeck is a portable computer made of multiple independent parts that is assembled at the site of use, somewhere not intended specifically for using it (1), and disassembled after use.
A self contained device isn’t a cyberdeck
A cyberdeck is just as much about use case as it is the hardware itself.
We have decades of precedent with the Gibson novels, Cyberpunk, Shadowrun, and others.
(1) A LAN party computer is not a cyberdeck because each ‘spot’ is meant to have a computer set up there.
“A cyberdeck is a portable computer made of multiple independent parts that is assembled at the site of use, somewhere not intended specifically for using it (1), and disassembled after use.”
Cyberpunk source required. Where does your idea that it needs to be specifically assembled for purpose and dissassembed after use coming from?
And assembled at the site of use, which is somewhere the cyberdeck isn’t specifically indented to be used. What? Why shouldn’t it be assembled anywhere, for any purpose, by anyone and made of anything? So long as it’s not made by a large corp, ready for use (excepting some pricey anti-ICE gear maybe).
“A cyberdeck is a portable computer made of multiple independent parts that is assembled at the site of use, somewhere not intended specifically for using it (1), and disassembled after use.”
Source required. Canon or not.