Build from anything
Pico boards, Raspberry Pis, old phones, tablets, reused laptop guts, mini PCs, toy shells, briefcases, clutch purses, and 3D printed shells all count.
Rolling Australia-wide build challenge
Build a dedicated machine, not another boring box.
Hackeroos Cyberdecks is for weird, useful, low-cost machines with a job to do. Start with a thrifted phone, a Pi Pico, a broken toy, a briefcase, a clutch purse, a rescued keyboard, or whatever old hardware your friends and family forgot they had. Born from cyberpunk imagination, built from whatever you can actually get your hands on.
- Rolling submissions, any time
- Monthly showcase cutoff: last Sunday, 11:59 pm Melbourne time
- Cheap, scrappy, unfinished, and highly personal builds are welcome
What Counts
A cyberdeck here is a dedicated machine with intent.
The fantasy roots are cyberpunk, netrunning, and Cyberpunk 2020. The real-world version is much simpler: a self-contained machine built for a purpose. It can be cute, rugged, recycled, tiny, weird, practical, messy, or still in progress. It just needs a job.
Low-cost is valid
Op shops, e-waste, recycling centres, parents’ old hardware, and whatever your mates forgot in a drawer are part of the culture.
AI is optional
Use no AI, small local models, cloud tools, or a mix. The point is not chasing the biggest rig. The point is making the machine fit the mission.
Dedicated Machine Ideas
What could your machine do that a generic desktop never quite captures?
A cyberdeck becomes interesting when it is specific. Not “a computer, but smaller.” A machine for something.
Offline writing
A distraction-resistant machine for journaling, fiction, field notes, or deep study.
Local AI chat
A tiny dedicated prompt station for small local models, speech tools, or portable assistants.
Cloud AI prompt deck
A keyboard-first machine for remote models, coding help, or rapid idea capture on the go.
Workshop helper
A machine for diagrams, pinouts, notes, quick reference, and build logging near the bench.
Media and music
Sequencing, live visuals, sampling, portable sound, or camera ingest and backup.
Field and play
Radio logging, retro emulation, robotics control, RPG dashboards, sensor logging, or travel journaling.
Low-Cost Build Culture
Start with junk hardware and a weird idea.
This challenge should feel anti-snob. Salvage screens, keyboards, old cases, and donor hardware carefully. Borrow old devices from family. Start with whatever shell is around you and polish later if you want.
Not Just Style
Make the form match the purpose.
A good cyberdeck is not only portable or cool-looking. The controls, hardware, container, and software should all make sense for the machine’s job.
Categories
Recognition lanes
Best Style for Purpose
The machine looks and feels right for the job it claims to do.
Most Portable
Small, field-ready, wearable, or just absurdly easy to carry.
Best Recycled Deck
The sharpest use of salvaged phones, laptops, scrap electronics, or rescued parts.
Most Netrunner
The strongest cyberdeck energy without becoming empty costume hardware.
Cutest Deck
The most charming, playful, personal, adorable, or unexpectedly soft build.
Most AI Netrunner
A spotlight lane for standout AI-native decks when the monthly batch can support it.
How It Works
Rolling, not one brutal deadline.
- Build something with purpose.
- Submit it any time.
- Choose live, pre-recorded, or gallery-only presentation mode.
- Hackeroos curates monthly showcases from the rolling submissions.
WIP Friendly
You do not need to be finished.
Early ideas, rough shells, ugly prototypes, and builds that are still half-sorted are valid entries. This is a place to show momentum, not just polished final forms.
Jump to the short formAussie Resources
How to actually do this in Australia without waiting for perfect gear
Buy bits locally
Go scrappy
- Op shops and thrift stores
- Electronic recycling centres and repair cafes
- Parents’ old laptops and friends’ forgotten phones
- Marketplace finds, weird containers, kids toys, old bags, and thrifted cases
Find your people
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a Raspberry Pi?
No. A cyberdeck can start with a Pi Pico, old phone, tablet, mini PC, reused laptop parts, or other embedded hardware.
Does it have to look cyberpunk?
No. Cyberpunk and netrunner culture are major influences, but cute, rugged, recycled, playful, and practical builds all count.
Can I submit a work in progress?
Yes. Ideas, WIP builds, and finished decks are all welcome.
Can my video be any length?
Yes. Media should be submitted as a link, and shorter clips are easier for showcase highlights.
Can Hackeroos repost my media?
Only if you opt in. Media reuse and sponsor use are separate permissions.
What happens after I submit?
Your build goes into the rolling pool and can be selected for the next monthly showcase round.
Still figuring it out?