Alien fan builds a better Raspberry Pi cyberdeck — The MU/TH/UR of all homages to a classic movie series

Alien fan builds a better Raspberry Pi cyberdeck — The MU/TH/UR of all homages to a classic movie series

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(Image credit: Jeff Merrick) Share Share by: Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google It's been a while since we've covered cyberdecks, and so, when this Alien-inspired cyberdeck crossed our path, we had to take a look. Powered by the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, Jeff Merrick's slab of 1970s/1980s aesthetic screams the "charm" of the worn and broken Alien universe that belies the powerful single-board computer within.

(Image credit: Jeff Merrick) (Image credit: Jeff Merrick) (Image credit: Jeff Merrick) (Image credit: Jeff Merrick) The Typeframe PS-85's 3D printed case instantly transports this cyberdeck into the cold and gritty Alien universe. You could easily print this yourself using one of the best 3D printers . The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W , the smallest Raspberry Pi Single Board Computer (SBC) in the range, but larger than the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, provides the computing power. The Pi is in the top corner and has its own standoffs to provide a secure connection point and space for the CPU to breathe. Next to the Pi is the Waveshare 7.9-inch touchscreen, but Merrick has chosen to use Raspberry Pi OS Lite, so that feature is moot, but the screen looks great with green text.

The screen and Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W are powered from a single Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C, which boosts the output of a 3.7V 6000mAh LiPo cell to 5V at 1A. Merrick's assembly instructions detail the wiring and logic of the electronics. The battery is installed on the back panel of the slate, next to the handle. A cut-out for the PowerBoost 1000C provides a means to charge the LiPo cell. The various connections for USB, HDMI, Power, and the GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) are broken out using a myriad of custom cables and connectors.

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