NickZero’s ultra-minimal cyberdeck pairs a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, a Gherkin 30% layout keyboard kit, and a 7-inch Waveshare touch display inside a 3D printed case—powered by a 4000 mAh lithium-ion cell and managed by an Adafruit Powerboost 1000 module.
NickZero wanted a cyberdeck that stayed out of the way—an ultra-minimal build where the hardware wouldn’t crowd the experience. So he went looking for parts that were already ready to fit together, then designed the whole thing around that restraint.
At the center is a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. It’s the “lighter power draw” option compared with full-fat models, with the trade-off of less processing power. Because it’s the W model, wireless connectivity is built in from the factory, removing the need for extra add-ons.
The control scheme is where the minimalism really shows. NickZero paired the Pi with a Gherkin 30% layout keyboard kit—an ultra-cut-down design that also lines up neatly with the width of a 7-inch Waveshare touch display. The deck’s power comes from what the build calls a “juicy” 4000 mAh lithium-ion cell. and an Adafruit Powerboost 1000 charger module handles charging and regulation.
Everything is then assembled inside a 3D printed case.
Using it is likely to feel different from most cyberdecks the moment you expect something familiar. The keyboard has no number keys or modifier keys. so there’s a learning curve—then. presumably. a kind of satisfying payoff once that new rhythm clicks. The build also serves as a reminder that “minimal” doesn’t have to mean custom everything. A handful of off-the-shelf components can still become a cohesive machine. even if other cyberdeck builds in the same space have leaned the other direction—toward maximalism.
NickZero shared a video walkthrough of the build, giving viewers a closer look at how the ultra-minimal layout and off-the-shelf parts come together as one working cyberdeck.
cyberdeck Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Gherkin keyboard kit Waveshare 7 inch touch display Adafruit Powerboost 1000 ultra minimal build 3D printed case
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W in a 3D printed case… sounds cool but also kinda pointless?
So it’s basically a fancy keyboard with a screen? I don’t get why people call it a “cyberdeck” lol. Also that “juicy” battery name is funny.
Wait, if it has a touch display, why do you even need the keyboard? Seems like they’re reinventing a tablet that doesn’t have numbers. Like are you just supposed to guess where the modifiers went?
I saw the video already. The fact it has no number keys sounds like a scam—how would you do anything? And 4000 mAh is small, so it’s gonna die fast, right? People keep saying “minimal” but minimal usually means less useful, idk.