Raspberry Pi just got a neon-lit flashback, thanks to the Typeframe PX-88 a sleek cyberdeck project that channels 1980s industrial design while keeping modern Linux desktop power intact. It’s a Raspberry Pi creation, but with much more bite than your usual SBC build.
Raspberry Pi at the core of the Typeframe PX-88
At the heart of the Typeframe PX-88 is the Raspberry Pi Model 4B, powered by Broadcom’s BCM2711 chip. It’s wrapped in a shell that’s as much style statement as it is functional hardware. Think clean lines, matte black casing, and a vibe that could fit into Blade Runner without raising eyebrows.
Jeff Merrick of Wireform LLC also known for other open-hardware builds designed the PX-88 with a nod to the vintage Epson PX-4. But this isn’t just nostalgia in a box. The device features a 7.9-inch IPS touchscreen (1280 x 400) from Waveshare that flips up like a data terminal from a forgotten cyberpunk past.
PX-88 hardware highlights
Here’s what the Typeframe PX-88 includes:
- Raspberry Pi 4B (BCM2711 quad-core chip)
- 7.9-inch Waveshare touchscreen, flip-up, 1280×400 resolution
- 65% mechanical keyboard, MK Point64 PCB
- Cherry MX-compatible switches and caps
- 37Wh battery for portable runtime
This isn’t a plug-and-play unit. Merrick isn’t selling assembled kits. You’ll have to 3D print the frame, solder the parts, and install the OS yourself. The build files and instructions are available on the Typeframe site and GitHub.
Typeframe PX-88 joins the cyberdeck cult
Cyberdecks have carved out a niche where DIY hackers, writers, and retro-futurists all overlap. From modded Lenovo handhelds to Raspberry Pi 400 conversions, the appeal is simple: take compact hardware and make it weirdly personal.
The PX-88 fits right in, but does so with purpose. Its mechanical keyboard leans toward writing, not just coding. The minimalist screen size forces focus. And the portable build makes it a tool, not just a toy.
A cyberpunk future, built by hand
If you’re looking for a factory-made gadget, this isn’t it. The Typeframe PX-88 rewards hands-on tinkering. No two builds will be exactly alike, and that’s part of the point. It’s not just a device, it’s a statement.
The PX-88 doesn’t scream for attention. It clicks, hums, and glows quietly confident.
