# Raspberry Pi 5 cyberdeck in a hard case

A documented Raspberry Pi 5 workstation built into a Pelican-style waterproof case, with a 7-inch touch display, Bluetooth keyboard and USB audio. The repo expands an official Raspberry Pi tutorial with a BOM, safety notes and build docs.

- Category: Parts (build)
- Made by: [btstevens1984az](https://github.com/btstevens1984az) on GitHub
- Original: https://github.com/btstevens1984az/raspberry-pi-cyberdeck
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/raspberry-pi-5-cyberdeck-in-a-hard-case

## Can I build this?

- Difficulty: Intermediate
- AI-buildability: 4/5 (Most of the work is software setup on off-the-shelf parts, with mechanical fitting and printing needing hands-on effort.)
- Time: 1–2 weekends
- Cost: $280–480
- Parts: Raspberry Pi 5, Touch Display 2 (7in), Rii RK302 Bluetooth keyboard, Pimoroni Picade Max USB Audio, CASOMAN 11.5in hard case, USB-C power bank
- Tools: 3D printer, soldering iron, multimeter, hot-glue gun, flush cutters

Estimates based on the original write-up.

## Build sheet

- Brains: Raspberry Pi 5
- Display: Touch Display 2 (7in)
- Case: CASOMAN 11.5in hard case
- Power: USB-C power bank

## Starter prompt

```
Based on "Raspberry Pi 5 cyberdeck in a hard case" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/raspberry-pi-5-cyberdeck-in-a-hard-case

Write a Raspberry Pi OS setup script for a Pi 5 driving a 7-inch 1280x720 touch display with a Bluetooth keyboard and USB audio. The script should pair the keyboard on boot, set the audio output to the USB device, and print the display and power status. Keep it readable and explain each step in comments.
```

## Story

This is a community repository that expands the official Raspberry Pi cyberdeck tutorial from August 2026 and Magazine issue #168. The deck is a portable Pi 5 workstation built in an 11.5-inch waterproof hard case, with a Touch Display 2, a Bluetooth keyboard on a removable plate, and USB audio with speakers in the lid.

The repository's main contribution is structure: a bill of materials with a CSV file, power guidance that recommends a USB-C power bank before any LiPo setup, a cardboard-first layout process, and CAD files for printed mounts. The stated build order is bench test, cardboard prototype, fabricate mounts, assemble the lid, then the base, then soak test.

The software side is a set of helper scripts for display checks, Bluetooth keyboard pairing, RTC charging and an optional power monitor, along with a Pico LED demo. The repo is not affiliated with Raspberry Pi Ltd.

## Resources

- [Repository](https://github.com/btstevens1984az/raspberry-pi-cyberdeck)
- [Official Raspberry Pi cyberdeck guide](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/create-your-own-cyberdeck/)

Tags: raspberry pi 5, cyberdeck, portable computer, hard case, touch display, usb audio

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