Don't Panic Cyberdeck

This cyberdeck is really a Raspberry Pi, LCD display, keyboard, batteries, and speakers in a trench coat. It's boxy appearance gives Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy vibes.

Build weight is 1 lb 3 oz (0.5 kg) and feels hefty in the hand at about 47mm thick.

Update 19 Oct 2026: Added requested wiring guide.

Bill of Materials

You will need the following.

• Raspberry Pi 3A+

• Pimoroni Hyperpixel 4 Square LCD display (I used the touch variant)

• Rii Mini Keyboard 518BT

• LX-2BUPS 5V UPS

• 2 x 18650 cells

• Small SPDT micromini toggle switch (RS 275-0625 or similar) for power switch

• Mini PAM8403 DC 5V Audio Amplifier

• 2 x 3 Watt 8 Ohm Mini Speaker w JST (don't expect excellent sound from these!)

• Right angle header pins (for audio amp)

• Headphone jack with solder tabs

• USB micro plug for power

• Wire for power (JST connectors for power make this easier)

• Wire for sound (I used Dupont jumpers)

• M2.5 screws

• 8bitdo Zero 2 (optional if you want a game pad snap-in where the keyboard goes)

Prints Needed

This model was created with several existing models (see differences section for details).

• Print one of each of the STLs included with this model, except "8bitdo zero2 game pad keyboard snap-in.stl" Only print this if you have an 8bitdo Zero 2 game pad and want to make a game pad snap-in replacement for the keyboard. See notes below.

• Print a Hyperpixel 4 Square Raspberry Pi 3 A+ case of your choice. You can print the one I modified which has a visor at the top for Weyland-Yutani vibes, or print one of the originals. You can choose to print this case in the same color or another complimentary or contrasting color of your choice. It will mainly be visible as a thin bezel around the perimeter of the screen. I used light gray.

Assembly

• Assemble the LCD onto the Raspberry Pi 3A+ and into the Hyperpixel 4 Square case. Secure with 2 screws from the back. Set aside.

• Place two speakers face down inside the large case and secure with 4 screws. Route the wires into the center.

• Solder wires directly to the audio amp or (better) use header pins.

• Place the volume knob stem onto the audio amp and place inside the case as shown the pictures. There's no mounting holes so I used bluetack. Assemble the knob onto the stem and press in firmly.

• Insert SPDT power switch into case next to volume knob and connect +5V through it for power.

• Solder wires onto the LX-2BUPS labeled 5V out to the switch. From the switch, power should split to the Pi and the audio amp. Wire directly or (better) use mating JST connectors. Insert 18650 cells into LX-2BUPS UPS. Place bottom UPS case in the lower portion of the case and insert the UPS into it. Place the lid on top. There's no screws needed here, the fit it so tight nothing moves.

• Press the keyboard surround on top of the keyboard. Squeeze entire assembly into case. The fit will be very tight.

• Connect USB power and audio to the Pi. Drop Pi case into larger case. Secure with 2 more screws from the back.

Update: Gamepad Snap-In

I created a game pad snap-in replacement for the Rii mini keyboard which features the circuit board from a 8bitdo Zero 2 removed from the original case. I believe opening the 8bitdo Zero 2 is irreversible as the case seems to be welded together. I split mine apart with a metal spudger so proceed as warned. This is a hack.

There's a small plastic peg that the select/start buttons are supposed to hook on to. Unfortunately, it's so small I wasn't able to print a peg small enough that didn't break off immediately. I used bluetack instead.

The A/B/X/Y buttons have orientation pins on the side. The original model didn't include these slots so I cut the pins off the buttons with side cutters.

Carefully pry the battery off the back of board and relocate to the top of the snap-in. I secured it with bluetack.

Be very careful screwing in the screws. I tried to reinforce the mounting holes but one did break off and I had to reprint it.

Enlarging the mounting holes gave way to less space for the rubber domes. You may need to trim the two rubber domes with scissors as needed so they fit flush