With the rise of AI, the constant, nonconsensual selling of data, and the consistent monitoring of our internet usage, it is no wonder the internet has hopped on a new trend: cyberdecks. Cyberdecks are customized, portable computers. They can be programmed in several ways. They originated through the imagination of William Gibson. He was ahead of his time when he laid the foundation for cyberdecks in his science fiction novel Neuromancer. He coined the term, and people took the concept and brought it to life. In the book, it was used to hack into cyberspace. In the modern world, they can be used for anything. While they are often viewed as tools for a post-apocalyptic world or for having your own off-grid internet, Cyberdeck hobbyists have gone above and beyond what the average person might even have imagined possible. Cyberdecks are full of potential, and there are no rules to what may be created. 

While the concept of cyberdecks has been floating around for decades, we’ve only seen them become a reality in the last several years, with little recognition beyond the niche cyberpunk community and people interested in building their own PCs who have gone down a rabbit hole. They have been popularized through TikToker Ubeboobey, otherwise known as Anikke Tan. She went viral, and the hobby found its way into mainstream media. She shook the internet with her mermaid cyberdeck. She posted the final result, along with her creation process. Viewers were astounded that having a computer entirely designed by you was optional, and immediately took to the concept. They were asking for tutorials, and Tan delivered. She now has multiple videos up on both her TikTok and YouTube channels, under the name Ubeboobey. 

Cyberdecks are completely adjustable to the creator’s desires. If you can imagine it, you can create it. They may say never judge a computer by its cover, but the cyberdecks are meant to be aesthetically appealing. Originally, they were meant to be cyberpunk, as it stems from that subculture. It was meant to be a hacking tool, but people used it for post-apocalyptic aesthetics, typewriters, portable video games, and more. They were meant to look like they came straight out of The Matrix. (1999.)  However, upon seeing the mermaid cyberdeck, people are being inspired to use anything they can to make their own. Anything can be used to make a cyberdeck, including purses, books, old toys, and even jewelry boxes. There is no end to what you can fit your personalized computer in, or how you can decorate it. 

There is even more decision-making when it comes to your cyberdeck build in terms of what you are going to program it to do. It can range anywhere from a video game to an apocalyptic tool. Someone even made a mini photo booth! There are many people online joking that “if there’s a screen, Ao3 will be seen.” Even though they may not say that with the intention of truly building a Cyberdeck, you absolutely can make a distraction-free device full of your favorite fanfictions, anything your computer can do, your Cyberdeck can be programmed to do as well. The only limitations here are the ones set by your own mind. Whether you have a tin foil hat and are preparing for the worst-case scenario, or are just a girl who wants an interesting and unique project to do, this is a hobby everyone can enjoy.