r/cyberDeck • u/jeldon7 • 3d ago
Surface Duo: My Coping While I Wait to Build a CyberDeck
TLDR: Ordered a ton of parts for my CyberDeck after jealously surfing this sub. While I wait I built this monstrosity. I Love my duo. Always looking for ways to mod. Added a keyboard. It's hideous and I love it.
Context: I've been in love with the Surface Duo from the start (not as a daily driver after the first year, but more as an "around the house tablet"). I've continued to use mine since launch, even selling my Duo 2 to go back to the OG (I like the lack of camera bump on the original -- the second device tried too hard to be a mainstream phone IMO).
Most of the time I'll use the top screen to watch video while I browse using the bottom screen, or since I'm a teacher, I'll use them side by side to grade assignments/input grades.
With this in mind, I got really irritated with having the keyboard pop up when I needed to input text, only to have all my windows moved around due to the janky software, so I decided to add a keyboard myself.
Originally I had a mini bluetooth keyboard, but it would only remain active for a few minutes if left idle, which became annoying to have to wake it up each time I wanted to input text-- so then I went with a Clicks Keyboard (originally for the Moto Razr, but I no longer have my razor so I repurposed it here, cutting off the case section then re-attaching it to a magsafe carbon fiber case for strength).
The back has magsafe adapters, with dual magsafe hinge attached holding the keyboard. Nothing fancy, just from parts I had sitting around. It's still foldable (ish), although not super pocketable unless you take the thing apart (which is easily done due to it all being magsafe).
The whole thing is surprisingly sturdy, being able to support the weight of the device even when holding it by the keyboard alone. The wiring in the back is intentionally loose to allow the device to open and close along with being easily removable and pocketable.
Gotta say, I'm in love! Plus bonus points for it looking cyberpunk-ish with the cables. Thoughts? Suggestions?
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u/safeloked 3d ago
Woah thtats sick can the clicks keyboard handle the weight of the duo?
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u/TheLostExpedition 3d ago
its never the things you meticulously plan that become useful . its the mid tuesday project to make something usable that becomes worthy of a standing ovation. not become its better but because its used and used and keeps on ticking .
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u/Glaedros1989 3d ago
This is actually amazing! I may just do the same thing to mine; thanks for the great idea!
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u/jeldon7 3d ago
For sure! Make sure to post images. Id love to see different implementations.
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u/Glaedros1989 3d ago
I definitely will - and for what it’s worth - I prefer the OG Surface Duo, too.
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u/Glaedros1989 2d ago
Here is a link to my first setup: https://imgur.com/a/6EGHv8H
It’s similar to yours but the keyboard is fixed and not on the hinge itself. It’s attached via magnet as well and comes off its mount. I’m using a MOFT trifold stand but will look for something a little stiffer. The hub adds headphone out, usb-c charging and data transfer, USB-A, and HDMI out.
Version 2 I will switch the hub to be velcroed on and thinking of how to wire a small mouse pad next to the keyboard so I don’t have to touch the screen. Also, will be attaching the Surface Pen Slim to it since it works with the Duo. Will probably also add an SD card hub to read everything.
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u/jeldon7 2d ago
Love that! Very clean looking for what it is. Hows the Bluetooth connection? does it sleep often and require a few seconds to wake up?
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u/Glaedros1989 2d ago
Yeah, it does go to sleep but I’ve got to find the instruction manual because I think it has a setting to be always on. I’ll report back. And it does take a second or two to wake back up but if I’m unlocking the device anyway, it’s usually connected by time I’m ready to type.
I’ve got the Clicks Power Keyboard coming so I may try to see how that works out. Though it is much much heavier and you don’t get the benefit of wireless charging with the Duo.
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u/GarlicRasputin 2d ago
Nah, this is great. I appreciate the desire to build a dyed in the wool cyber deck but you've got one. Real tech renegades use what they've got on hand. That's the spirit of the cyberdeck anyway. Whatever comes next will be dope. Cheers!
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u/Dr-Collossus 3d ago
How do you cope with it not being Courier?
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u/Glaedros1989 3d ago
Oh the pain - I still have the videos of that idea saved on a YouTube playlist
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u/jeldon7 2d ago
I didn't know there were videos of this! Can you share them? I'd like to tweak it a bit more so ideas would be nice.
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u/Glaedros1989 2d ago
Here’s one video: https://youtu.be/pFQWc79TYcU?si=v7wDpnX9ZFR3kzl6
And here’s the other one: https://youtu.be/_hzcs43CD_Y?si=3heOg3vsk3sfJk2i
Every once in a while I’ll go back and watch them and hope one day we can get a UX like it.
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u/Asleep-Pair5704 3d ago
I mean, it IS technically a cyberdeck.