Raspberry Pi has officially acknowledged the surging popularity of “cyberdecks” — small, portable computers often built from recycled items — by releasing its own detailed construction guide. Ashley Whittaker, the company’s head of social, noted that the trend has been unavoidable this year, with builds ranging from repurposed purses to jewelry boxes going viral on platforms like TikTok.
The Official Guide and DIY Culture
The Raspberry Pi tutorial includes a full parts list and assembly instructions, though it sticks to a conservative design using a black Pelican-style case. While the official guide is straightforward, creators in the community have pushed the aesthetic boundaries. Annike Tan, whose projects have garnered millions of views on TikTok, continues to iterate on her “mermaid” purse cyberdeck, recently adding new design flourishes and a USB hub.
Rising Hardware Costs
This initiative to support the hobbyist market arrives amidst a backdrop of significant price hikes for Raspberry Pi hardware. Attributing the changes to the rising costs of RAM and other essential components, the company has increased prices multiple times this year. Notably, the 16GB version of the Raspberry Pi 5 featured in the official guide saw a $100 price increase in April, nearly doubling its original $120 price tag.
