I am creating a device that reminds you of the 90s, an Open-Source & Modular handheld PC running Windows - The CG Deck
Hello everyone! I have been working on this project for quite a while, building my own custom handheld console for gaming & everyday PC use, running Linux & Windows! I wanted to create a device that reminded me of the 90s to early 2000s and felt like a gadget that would of been advertised in a tech magazine like Byte or PC Magazine as a futuristic conceptual personal computer. I am currently working on the prototypes, so I thought it would be a great time to share an update of what I have been building with everyone here! It is called the CG Deck, an open-source and modular x86 handheld PC.
My initial goal was to create a small handheld PC that was entirely self contained and can be thrown in a backpack or back pants pocket (The entire device is 7.4" x 4.6" x 2.25"), with a high enough standard of hardware capable of being actually useful for things like high end retro emulation, CAD design/doing light modelling tasks in Blender, PCB design, coding, graphic design, music, video editing, and gaming with my steam library! Something that feels like the alternate reality to smartphones where we all have real high powered full fledge personal computers in our pockets.
I also wanted the device to be modular so it can be upgraded depending on how it is being used, and adapt the device depending on the workflow. For example, upgrading the memory with a full sized 2280 SSD, connecting an external full size GPU with PCLe, LTE/sim card support for work on the road, in addition to more cosmetically functional changes like swapping out the face/back plates to change the look, upgrading the controller modules, antennas for extended connection range, etc. I wanted to create a device that acted like a foundation that is supposed to be sculpted and built out the way you want for the way YOU use it. Something that used to be more common with the "Do it your self, if you want" mentality that used to be more prevalent in the past and now feels less and less important to companies these days.
These are a few renders of the production builds of the device. The project will be Open Source and I will be releasing everything along the way for the project so you can build your own if that is your cup of tea. I will also be creating a youtube video showcasing the build process and highlighting the trials and challenges of creating a "Production" tech device. The "Documentary" will be going over everything from building the BOM and figuring out hardware to designing the shell in CAD, going through countless dozens of prototyping parts, assembly, etc.
I would love to hear your thoughts on it everything, and if you have any questions or feedback, I would love to answer and hear it all!
It has been a massively fun project so far, and I cannot wait to start playing with the first prototype and sharing that when I get it presentable. If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more, you can find everything from specs, more details, links to the open source github repository and more.
Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about that, I would love to answer them!
*edit*: Forgot to add the link to learn more about the project if you are interested: https://mogozen.com
