Cyberdecks on the Rise: Blending Style and Functionality in the Battle Against Big Tech Surveillance
When I reach out to CC, the self-proclaimed “open source rebel,” for an interview, I can’t help but imagine she’s answering from a sparkling pink mermaid purse.
“I’m having a fantastic time,” she expresses about her seashell cyberdeck. “It’s like a Tamagotchi, but it also works as an e-reader and connects to my vault and servers, allowing me access to all my server data, including PDFs, books, notes, and more… Plus, it’s synced with my home AI system.”
Though she lacks formal training in software engineering or computer science, CC has developed her expertise in designing unique cyberdecks—compact DIY computers—and shares her journey on her blog Bimbo Tech, encouraging other women to join in, even if they’re still figuring out what RAM means.
The idea of the cyberdeck originates from William Gibson’s 1984 sci-fi masterpiece “Neuromancer.” With the advent of credit card-sized computers like the Raspberry Pi in the 2010s, hardware enthusiasts began creating and sharing their own cyberdecks within niche online communities. Recently, these groups have gained traction, particularly with women on social media supporting each other in crafting artistic, hyper-feminine computers through their creative storytelling.
“I often joke about the ongoing misogyny in tech — whenever they launch a pro model or an elite variant, I think, let me guess, it’ll be black or silver,” CC remarked. “Never pink.”
The art of customizing and designing a cyberdeck has become a unique form of expression. Instagram and TikTok highlight creations like a cyberdeck made from wood and moss that plays Game Boy Color games; a desert-themed MP3 player shaped like a 3D-printed fossil; a Barbie dollhouse that conceals a functioning mini-computer; or even a duck figurine transformed for voice recording.
“I wouldn’t want Meta AI glasses; I’d prefer to pirate books using a small, decorated shell,” TikTok creator Sarahbelle Kim stated. “You can’t be monitored there. Most basic components can be sourced from thrift stores or eBay, and customization is easy.”
The popularity of girly cyberdecks undoubtedly carries aesthetic charm—why not use a Hello Kitty purse for checking emails? It’s all about enjoying the fun. Yet, the women building these extravagant, glammed-up devices are driven by more than just glitter. This trend is emerging during a time when many feel stifled by the overwhelming uniformity of major tech companies.
“That’s such a refreshing change for those who’ve been sold devices like Apple’s… If you try to jailbreak or modify your $1,000 phone, it voids the warranty,” CC noted. “It’s inspiring to witness people reasserting their control and power, leading to creativity when they have the means to escape the black box.”
Maro Vardanyan, a blockchain developer, also enjoys collecting and experimenting with vintage computer components.
“A few months ago, I started crafting art, jewelry, and handbags from discarded or upcycled old computers,” she shared. “When I saw everyone making cyberdecks, I thought, why not take it a step further than just recycled and upcycled items and preserve these components in something portable and wearable?”
Vardanyan’s method for creating cyberdecks sets itself apart by highlighting the historical ties between fiber art and technology. She describes her creations as “crocheting with computers” or “macramé motherboards,” deliberately referencing weaving, a craft traditionally linked to women’s work, which played a crucial role in early computing.
Long before silicon chips, some early computing systems employed magnetic-core memory, composed of intricately woven copper wires that encoded binary code. For example, to build the Apollo Guidance Computer, NASA relied on skilled female textile workers to carefully weave wires in complex patterns, powering the spacecraft that made the first moon landing a reality.
“The initial processor was handwoven by seamstresses, not by engineers or anyone else,” she stated. “I believe the connection between hand weaving and the merging of fashion with technology is extraordinarily important.”
Vardanyan has started incorporating pink Raspberry Pis into handbags and corsets, sharing her progress on X.
“Naturally, when the macramé gained attention, men chimed in with comments like, ‘This is such a waste of the Raspberry Pi!’ or questioned, ‘What happens if it rains?’” she recalled. “I had to clarify, ‘Actually, it’s encased in acrylic.’ Then they would counter, ‘This is just a performance, and the GPIO is going to lose energy!’ To which I’d respond, ‘Actually, I’m using conductive thread, so it’ll work perfectly.’”
CC has also encountered dismissive reactions from men online who can’t comprehend that someone would utilize a Raspberry Pi for a charming seashell purse computer during a RAM shortage.
“Someone on Reddit commented, ‘You built your first computer a month ago, chill out.’ Little do they know, I’ve been assembling PCs for years,” CC reflected. “In the end, he apologized and even bought me the circuit board for my next cyberdeck.”
From CC’s mermaid purse computer to Vardanyan’s Raspberry Pi corset, these cyberdecks boldly reject Silicon Valley ideals, not just through their vivid pink aesthetics. They are impractical and intentionally inefficient, a striking divergence in a culture that idolizes optimization—so much so that trendy, unregulated Chinese peptide injections are a reality. Opting for unconventional, DIY tech experiences is a radical move, fostering a deeper connection with devices that often feel abstract, despite their ubiquity.
“Ten years ago, I would walk into a conference and see only three women; people would ask, ‘Were you hired for marketing?’” Vardanyan reminisced. “It’s remarkable to see so many women on social media and Instagram engaging with hardware, exploring software, and educating each other—that’s the energy we urgently need at every societal level.”
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