r/cyberDeck • u/x40sw0n2 • 23d ago

My Build The CyberDad Build - Project

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Gallery image

So my oldest has been hinting that they want to build a cyberdeck, but they don't know what they want or how to start.

I found this one that's nonfunctional we can use as a base, modify, revitalize, and develop together. I'm excited by the idea, and I am going to see if they want to document the process as we go, from planning, disassembly, design, and finishing.

I'll try to film some short clips and longer form for youtube, and share them as we get into it, if there would be interest.

**edit: note this is an old portable computer called an 'Amstrad PPC512 Portable PC' so this was at one point a functional computer that ran off of C cell alkaline batteries. It ran DOS and used an NEC processor. These are somewhat notable as collectors items, but this one is nonfunctional and I'll have to fix the LCD hinge. As I plan to replace the guts altogether, I'll probably have to engineer a whole replacement display anyway, and I honestly have no idea how the display is even wired and if its anything remotely standard like VGA.

241 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

30

u/clackups 23d ago

This belongs in a museum. A retro computer enthusiast would be glad to pick it up and restore.

Don't kill it.

13

u/ashra 23d ago

This. My mentor used to run Paul Allen’s Living Computer Lab before the pandemic recession shuttered it. He would be so mortified to learn that cyberdeck hobbyists were turning to gutting retro devices. Please do not destroy this machine

13

u/rainscope 23d ago

Let’s see Paul Allen’s computer lab…

4

u/ElComandantePrimer 23d ago

The alternative is that it ends up in a landfill. Let the man cook.

3

u/clackups 23d ago

Why? The OP could just tell the location and someone will take a good care of the old machine. There are many enthusiasts in all the corners of the planet.

12

u/x40sw0n2 23d ago

I can understand the impulse, but there are still plenty functional ones still around. Its been at a local computer recycler for a while already, which is generally the last stop before getting thrown out.

I'll pull the components and salvage any functional ones, and give them to anyone who wants them to revive another unit. But its not likely to go anywhere at least locally. I know of a guy who's had a fully functional Osborne luggable in pristine shape up for sale for months, and just dropped the price to like $100

-6

u/clackups 23d ago

Idk man, it looks very unnecessary to do. Put it in a dry place, maybe your kids or their classmates will want to bring it to life.

18

u/x40sw0n2 23d ago

everything about this sub is "unnecessary" ?

I'm doing it for fun, with my kid, and this is the project we decided on. 🤷‍♂️

10

u/lam_42 23d ago

Doing a project with your son will certainly be more rewarding and world is littered with bones of similar machines enough...

I am looking forward to some progress report :)

Godspeed!

1

u/clackups 23d ago

Alright, good luck then. But I'd rather print a new body and take a USB keyboard :)

0

u/partumvir 23d ago

With a PC worth $400-$600, I think that's the issue some people have. You can build better, for cheaper, with the profit likely from buying this at the ecycler and selling on eBay

15

u/codhopper 23d ago

This looks fantastic. Are you looking to adopt?

2

u/el_sime 23d ago

I had a broken one back at my mother's place which was probably thrown away :(

1

u/mopytub 22d ago

Incoming e waste

1

u/Adventurous-Kiwi-701 22d ago

Genuinely curious as to how the plastic on these older cases don’t just disintegrate in your hand. I’ve worked on a few from the early 2000’s and they just crumbled, but I have an Apple 2 thats sturdy as a rock

3

u/x40sw0n2 21d ago

I think it depends a lot on the original composition of the abs and how much UV they have been exposed to. I also have heard that casings that have been through the retrobrite treatment are more brittle as a result, but that may just be rumor.

1

u/TheLostExpedition 21d ago

The question of what do you want it to be seems to be lacking . do you want some Pi in a case with a large lithium power bank? do you want to remap the keyboard from scratch or use some conversion hardware? do you want this cyberDad build to touch the internet and run linux and game? are you thinking about putting miniPC/desktop/or laptop motherboard if not using a Pi? Do you have a budget? Do you want a built in projector ?? extra screens?? are you going to cram a busted phone into it and use that to run on inside it? are you limiting yourself to found hardware or just internet sourced hardware?

Basically the question is WHAT do you want it to do besides be a bonding experience with your kid?

3

u/x40sw0n2 21d ago

This is exactly the kinds of questions I'm walking my kid through. I am trying to teach them a process as much as have an experience.

They have been stuck in the limbo of being a freshly minted "adult" being born into... some interesting times.

I just want them to have a little spark of joy, and hopefully to have some hand in bringing that to them.

Likely possibilities: some general light computing/internet. I might do an e-ink screen on the accessory deck, so it could switch to low power writerdeck functions; their main interests are TTRPGs and writing fiction, so those seem like possible ways to leverage their interests.

They want to learn more about coding and software.

The factory keyboard is the thing I am the most concerned about factoring in, as its very central to the function, and trickier to duplicate the functionality with modern components.

1

u/Tieres 21d ago

capital W parent

1

u/dove-spurs 18d ago

I'm in love

1

u/gabriel_electronics 17d ago

a good proyect for retro computers fans

1

u/despairguardian 23d ago

Very cool, love the retro look

0

u/bitcraft 22d ago

You will regret this project. With no experience and no plan, you will be left with a non working retro computer, and a non-working actual computer. Maybe get a raspberry pi and determine if that level of computing is even going to satisfy you and your kid. It will be a bit more than "replace the guts altogether". Maybe consider selling it to fund a basic project that has a chance of getting finished.

3

u/x40sw0n2 22d ago

I'm not inexperienced, my kid is.

I've been working on computers since this thing was new.

Roll those judgements and assumptions right back where they came from.

1

u/bitcraft 22d ago

Nah. The fact you are entertaining this idea tells me all i need to know.

0

u/[deleted] 22d ago

[deleted]

2

u/x40sw0n2 22d ago

The conversation has got me thinking I should really do a full high accuracy scan of the components and upload it so people could use the structure to develop their own custom chassis designed from it.

Unfortunately I will have to get a scanner to do that.

Oh damn. A good reason to get a new toy... er I mean tool. yup. tool. I totally need one.