We see lots of cyberdecks round right here and the overwhelming majority of them use single-board computer systems, like these from Raspberry Pi. That may be a wise method, as they’re compact, highly effective, and versatile. However when you consider it, smartphones are much more compact, usually extra highly effective, and may be extra versatile in some ways. And since older used smartphones are usually very reasonably priced, they are often fairly enticing for DIY initiatives. S.gordienko proved that by turning an outdated Pixel smartphone right into a skeletonized cyberdeck.
Pixel is Google’s first-party line of smartphones. The present mannequin is the Pixel 9 and the unique Pixel got here out virtually a decade in the past, in 2016. The mannequin S.gordienko used is a Google Pixel 3 XL and it hit the market in 2018. It has a Snapdragon 845 chipset with an octa-core processor, a further GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a high-resolution 6.3” show. And, after all, it has the plethora of sensors and cameras which have turn into the norm for smartphones.
Briefly, this outdated smartphone presents an incredible quantity of {hardware}—particularly for a tool that may be discovered used for lower than $100. All of that’s in a modern package deal with virtually every part you may want for duties like pentesting and community evaluation. The massive shortcoming is the dearth of a bodily keyboard and that’s what S.gordienko’s venture provides.
S.gordienko’s NetHunter C-deck has a 3D-printed shell to carry the Pixel 3 XL and a mini Bluetooth keyboard. That may be a hinged, folding clamshell palmtop design that’s nonetheless fairly compact when stowed, however which is simply sufficiently big to make use of like a small laptop computer when working.
The 3D-printed body seems to be actually cool, with a skeletonized design and bumpers on the corners. And that design is purposeful, too. It lets S.gordienko connect OTG equipment, like SDR (Software program-Outlined Radio) modules, onto the body. There are even slots for Velcro cable straps to maintain these equipment safe.
Whereas this will likely not have all the DIY {hardware} we are inclined to see in cyberdecks, it’s sensible and reveals that outdated smartphones may be very helpful instead of single-board computer systems. S.gordienko has it operating Kali NetHunter, which has legitimately highly effective instruments to rival what you’d get on a desktop OS.
