The Mermaid's Cyberdeck: A Viral Blend of Tech and Art

A TikTok creator has posted a build of a custom cyberdeck designed to resemble a mermaid's laptop, which has since garnered millions of views online.

Overview

Annike Tan, who posts under the handle Ube Boobey on TikTok, created a portable Linux computer housed inside a clamshell purse. The build features gold accents and pearls, along with a custom mouse covered in gold jump rings. Tan posted her first video of the build in March.

Online Reception

As of reporting, Tan's build video has received over 32 million views. Separately, a follow-up statement from Tan regarding the purpose of cyberdecks gained nearly 4 million views.

In that video, Tan stated that cyberdecks should be "gatekeep[d]... from AI and megacorp."

Broader Trend

Tan's project is part of a larger movement among DIY computing enthusiasts—including a growing number of women—who are building portable Linux computers, often called cyberdecks, inside non-traditional enclosures.

According to reporting on the trend, these builds differ from earlier cyberdecks that used 3D-printed or rugged cases. Instead, they emphasize recycled parts and artistic expression.

Creative Enclosures Used by Makers Include:

• Purses and jewelry boxes
• Retro TV-themed purses
• A Dunkin' Donuts munchkin box
• A Pokeball
• An Altoids tin
• A plastic box containing moss and flowers

The devices typically run on Raspberry Pi boards and are designed for tasks such as reading, journaling, or listening to music offline.

Origins

The term "cyberdeck" originates from William Gibson's 1984 novel Neuromancer, in which a data thief uses a custom portable computer to hack into corporations.