New Delhi: Every few months, Gen Z finds a new way to bring the past back into the spotlight. After the resurgence of digital cameras, flip phones and wired headphones, the latest trend making waves across social media is cyberdecking — a niche DIY movement that blends retro aesthetics with modern computing.
What Is Cyberdecking?
Cyberdecking revolves around building custom-made portable computers known as cyberdecks. While they may look like futuristic gadgets straight out of a sci-fi film, the concept is far from new.
The term originated in William Gibson’s 1984 cyberpunk novel *Neuromancer*, where hackers used portable computers called cyberdecks to access cyberspace. The idea later became a defining element of cyberpunk culture, inspiring hobbyists to build their own machines using spare electronic components and compact computers such as the Raspberry Pi.
Today, the trend has found a new audience on platforms including TikTok, Reddit and YouTube. Creators are transforming handbags, lunchboxes, mint tins, old gaming consoles and even vintage briefcases into functional computers equipped with miniature displays, chunky mechanical keyboards, exposed wiring, battery packs and programmable controls. Rather than striving for polished perfection, cyberdecks celebrate individuality, creativity and hands-on engineering.
The Creators Behind The Trend
Among the creators helping popularise cyberdecking are Annike Tan, whose DIY cyberdeck videos have garnered millions of views, and Hyderabad-born, New York-based creator Trushita (Tru) Narla. Narla gained attention for developing a Tamagotchi-inspired gadget that monitors a houseplant’s soil moisture and displays an animated character that reacts to the plant’s condition.
Why Gen Z Loves It?
The appeal extends beyond aesthetics. Many young users see cyberdecking as a response to today’s AI-powered digital ecosystem, where algorithms constantly recommend content and track online behaviour. Building a personalised device offers a greater sense of ownership and control, allowing users to create technology that performs only the functions they want instead of relying on heavily automated platforms.
The trend also reflects Gen Z’s growing interest in DIY culture, sustainability and repairing or repurposing old gadgets rather than replacing them with new ones.
But Is It Practical?
Despite the buzz, cyberdecks are unlikely to replace conventional laptops. Most rely on single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi, meaning performance is often limited compared with modern PCs. Their compact displays and keyboards can also make everyday tasks such as multitasking, professional editing and gaming less convenient.
Building a cyberdeck also requires time, technical expertise and compatible hardware, making the hobby inaccessible for many beginners. Highly customised builds can become expensive depending on the components used.
The Irony Behind Cyberdecking
There is an irony at the heart of the movement. While cyberdecking promotes independence from algorithms and mainstream technology, its popularity has largely been driven by the very social media platforms it seeks to push back against. Tutorials, creator videos and community discussions continue to spread across TikTok, YouTube and Reddit.
For most people, cyberdecking is unlikely to replace traditional computing. Instead, it has emerged as a creative hobby that reflects a broader desire for slower, more personal and expressive technology. In an era dominated by AI and increasingly uniform gadget designs, cyberdecks offer something different — devices built not just for productivity, but as an expression of personal creativity.
