In another episode of "Yes, I'm obsessed with cyberdecks and I regret nothing", I came across the GitHub profile of ZitaoTech. As its name suggests, this cyberdeck runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, features a square 4-inch screen, and most interestingly, sports a physical BlackBerry Q10 or Q20 keyboard, a favorite in the DIY community.
As the "crapification" of technology marches on and computers turn into "telemetry machines", the call to build more open and flexible systems grows ever more tempting. Sure, the investment of time and money is usually higher, but many enthusiasts regard it as a necessary step.
And there's the added bonus of picking up new skills along the way, whether it's software configuration, electronics, 3D printing, or a mix of these. The learning curve isn't always kind, but it's worth it. That's how I ended up at the GitHub profile of ZitaoTech, where the design for the Hackberry Pi Zero was published. Honestly, he's made some intriguing choices...
Hackberry Pi Zero: Raspberry Pi + Linux + BlackBerry = ?
There's plenty to unpack here. First up is that square 4-inch screen with a 720x720 resolution. It gives the Hackberry Pi Zero a sort of "Game Boy essence", but it's actually the same form factor as the old BlackBerry Q10 and Q20 (Classic) phones, from which it borrows its keyboards. That's right, the Hackberry Pi Zero adopts physical keyboards from handsets released back in 2013 and 2014.
Obviously, the central hardware is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, which is fairly limited when it comes to specs (don't forget its 512MB of RAM), but plenty of compatible operating systems exist, so the Hackberry Pi Zero can morph into whatever device you need, from a retro console to a pentesting rig.
The last technical highlight I want to mention is the dual-battery configuration. Using Nokia BL-5C modules—one of the most cloned batteries on the face of the Earth—the Hackberry Pi Zero avoids proprietary formats and even supports hot-swapping. Expect around 3.5 hours of battery life on the desktop, and 5 hours in the console.
All the relevant files are on the GitHub profile, but you can also snag a ready-to-use Hackberry Pi Zero with either the Q10 or Q20 keyboard. Both are currently sold out, though more are on the way in the coming weeks.
Official GitHub profile: Click here
