Cyberdecks used to look like little laptops, but now they’re getting more personal

DIY creator Annike Tan, known as @ubeboobey, has gone viral for building cyberdecks inside objects like an old purse, an MP3 player, and a solar-powered setup. A growing community is using Raspberry Pi boards and other components to turn everyday items into personalized portable computers that attract millions of views online.

The trend shows hobbyist computing becoming more expressive, blending maker culture with fashion, nostalgia, and social media performance. As small boards and batteries get cheaper and more capable, personal computing may increasingly emphasize customization and identity rather than conventional device form factors.

DIYer and TikTok user Annike Tan, who goes by @ubeboobey, can carry her cyberdeck around without anyone noticing because it doesn't look like a computer at all. Tan, who has been featured in The Cut and Wired, went viral earlier this year with a mermaid-themed cyberdeck she made inside an old purse. She has since upgraded it and built an MP3 player and a solar-powered cyberdeck. Tan and countless other DIYers are attracting millions of views showing off the personal computers they've built inside purses, jewelry boxes, toys, and old tech, hiding Raspberry Pi boards inside art projects.

@ubeboobey Replying to @D493 I wear it as a bag! # … Read the full story at The Verge.