The vecdec is a versatile ergonomic computing device built in the style of a cyberdeck around a split ergonomic mechanical keyboard. It was created because a laptop with this split keyboard or any split keyboard, did not exist. The vecdec in computing form uses relatively low power and is easily expandable with areas for mounting breakout boards internally and SAO ports externally. It can also be used as an external keyboard.

versatile ergonomic computing device

vecdec 1.0, highly portable Pi-based cyberdeck with split keyboard and meshtastic radio

vecdec 1.1, with larger screen, trackball, USB and SAO ports and retaining meshtastic radio

This is the first release with a compact candybar screen and gesture sensor. After using it quite a bit for almost a year, it's great for note taking, light hacking and dev work, aided greatly by i3wm. Web browsing is good enough, but video is not ideal given the proliferation of vertical video. The Anker external USB battery pack is more than sufficient for hours of note taking. A case sleeve ensures it is easy to slip in and out of a backpack.

Hackaday features an excellent write-up on this version, thanks to Tom Nardi: The Vecdec Cyberdeck Is More Than A Pretty Case

This release includes a bigger screen to help address the drawbacks of 1.0's screen resolution. The gesture sensor was replaced with a small trackball and text selection is now more precise than using the touchscreen. For meshtastic, the sx1262 hat was replaced in favor of the MeshAdv mini hat. MeshAdv mini has the E22 chip, GPS and Qwiic connectors.

Two SAO ports were added, which can be used to daisy chain external i2c breakouts for rapid prototyping, or of course, for SAOs. These are easier to connect thanks to a tiny Qwiic SAO board or if using the MeshAdv hat, directly from the hat.

The keyboard tray was revised, and the keyboard now sits on rubber isolators similar to those used on UAVs, quieting the typing experience. The isolators required the trays to be a few mm deeper. The trays now have provisions for 4 USB ports since the Pi's ports are now concealed. One port is connected to the left keyboard half enabling use as an external keyboard. The three remaining are connected to the Pi with DIY USB ribbon cables and connectors.

To connect the vecdec as an external keyboard, the top left most USB port is used. To use it as a standalone cyberdeck, power is supplied to a rear USB-C port.

The parts below are deviations from Brian Low's build guide.

• Print with the following flat surfaces facing down on the build plate: screen bezel face, keyboard bottom, veneers, top of back shell.
• The only part requiring supports is the back shell, but the screen bezel optionally can use supports at the cable pass through. Tree/organic supports work well.
• Secure the keyboard trays and screen bezel with heatset nutserts and hex head screws
• Tolerance on some parts might need adjustment depending on the filament and printer used
• Secure thin veneer pieces with cyanoacrylate glue

The SAO standard has gone through several revisions over the years, and the vecdec doesn't implement any of them to spec, holding true to the S in SAO. Instead, only the 3.3v, GND and i2c pins are connected, not GPIO. The goal was to make a simple, yet entertaining method to expose the i2c bus externally for quick prototyping with the many of the sensors that use the Qwiic connector standard. By adding a Qwiic port to your SAO, you can then connect any Qwiic device to the vecdec without opening the case.

All of the software pieces are fairly straight forward, but the provided screen instructions are out of date. The PAJ7620U2 works out of the box with common python libraries, and the MeshAdv mini hat has native meshtastic support.

v1.0 display: https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/7.9inch_HDMI_LCD

v1.1 display: https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/8inch_DSI_LCD_(C)

The example code at https://github.com/DFRobot/DFRobot_PAJ7620U2 has requisite register definitions use the sensor.

Follow the installation guide at https://github.com/chrismyers2000/MeshAdv-Mini. No changes were needed at the time of writing.

Use the example code at https://github.com/pimoroni/trackball-python, launch at either X startup or after login.

A tiling window manager such as i3 or sway that relies heavily on keyboard shortcuts is ideal given the mouse / touch options.

Here is how the human interface devices seem to best, but YMMV:

vecdec 1.1 in 3d printed case sleeve

vecdec 1.1 in 3d printed case sleeve, resting in backpack.

Side view with available ports exposed

View with rear shell and antenna nub removed, hat wiring strain relief with hot melt glue, additional wiring for i2c gesture sensor. The PAJ7620U2 gesture sensor JST connector should be soldered directly to the exposed pins on the sx1262 hat. The hat should use the most shallow female headers included with the kit. This method minimizes bulk at the back of the case.

3m privacy filter visible, though with touch screen usage the filter will eventually stick to the screen resulting in unsightly air bubbles. Need a new solution here.

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