When I reach out to the self-described “open source baddie” CC for a chat, I can almost imagine her responding from a pink mermaid purse.
“I’m just having so much fun,” she shares about her seashell cyberdeck. “It’s a Tamagotchi. It’s also an e-reader. It’s connected to my vault and my servers, giving it access to all my data, PDFs, books, and notes. Plus, it’s linked to my home AI setup.”
Despite lacking a formal education in software engineering or computer science, CC has honed her skills in creating unique cyberdecks—small DIY computers. She documents her journey on her blog Bimbo Tech to inspire other women, even those unfamiliar with terms like RAM.
The concept of the cyberdeck comes from William Gibson’s 1984 novel “Neuromancer.” With the advent of credit card-sized computers like the Raspberry Pi in the 2010s, enthusiasts began crafting and sharing their own versions in niche online forums. Recently, these communities have surged in popularity as women on social media document the creation of artistic, feminine computers.
“I always joke about the underlying misogyny in tech—because when they release a pro or elite model, it’s always black or silver,” CC commented. “It’s never pink.”
Crafting and designing a cyberdeck has become an art form. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, there are cyberdecks made of wood and moss that play Game Boy Color games, desert-themed MP3 players in 3D-printed fossils, Barbie dollhouses with mini-computers, and duck figurines that record voice notes.
“I don’t want Meta AI glasses. I want to pirate books in a tiny embellished shell,” TikTok creator Sarahbelle Kim shared. “No one can surveil you there. You can get some basic parts at the thrift store or eBay and just customize it.”
There’s a clear aesthetic appeal to the rise of girly cyberdecks—why not use a Hello Kitty purse to check your email? It’s all about having fun. Yet, the women creating these extravagant, sparkling cyberdecks are not only in it for the glitter. This trend is burgeoning at a time when many feel helpless against the uniformity of big tech.
“It’s refreshing for people who own devices like Apple’s,” CC explained. “If you try to jailbreak it, or modify it in any way, it’s out of warranty even though you paid $1,000 for it. I love seeing people reclaiming power, which always leads to creativity when they step out of the black box.”
Maro Vandanyan, although a blockchain developer, enjoys collecting and tinkering with old computer parts.
“A few months ago, I started making art, jewelry, and purses with recycled or upcycled old computers as a hobby,” she said. “When I saw everyone making cyberdecks, I thought, why not preserve the pieces on something wearable and movable?”
Vandanyan emphasizes the historical connection between fiber art and technology, coining her work as “crocheting with computers” or “macrame motherboards,” highlighting the role of weaving—a traditionally domestic, feminine craft—in early computing history.
Before silicon processors, early computers used magnetic-core memory, with copper wires precisely threaded to encode binary code. For NASA’s Apollo Guidance Computer, skilled women weavers intricately arranged wires to power the moon-landing spacecraft.
“The original processor was handwoven by seamstresses, not engineers,” she remarked. “The intersection of hand weaving with technology feels like a full circle.”
Vandanyan began integrating pink Raspberry Pis into purses and corsets, sharing her creations on X.
“When the macrame went viral, men online criticized it as a waste of Raspberry Pi or questioned its durability in the rain,” she recounted. “I had to explain that it’s encased in an acrylic shell and uses conductive thread to remain fully functional.”
CC also faced online criticism from those who questioned the use of a Raspberry Pi for something as whimsical as a seashell purse computer amid a RAM shortage.
“A Reddit user condescendingly remarked, ‘You built your first computer a month ago, calm down.’ But I’ve been building PCs for years,” CC said. “In the end, he apologized and even bought me the circuit board for my next cyberdeck.”
From CC’s mermaid purse computer to Vandanyan’s Raspberry Pi corset, these cyberdecks challenge Silicon Valley culture, not just with their bold use of pink. They are intentionally impractical, a stark contrast to a culture obsessed with optimization, where even trendy Chinese peptide injections are commonplace. Choosing hacky, DIY tech solutions fosters a more personal connection with ubiquitous devices.
“A decade ago, I’d walk into a conference, and there’d be only three women there, often mistaken for marketing staff,” Vandanyan noted. “It’s incredible to see so many women on my social media interested in hardware and software, educating each other—this is the energy we need in society.”
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