Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard • Hacker News Board

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#11

Post by sxp » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:27 AM UTC

> Primarily out of frustration. The dominant players in XR keep promoting their hardware as “computers”, when really they’re an iPad for your face. The most you can do is browse the web, play games, and consume content. They’re overweight and over constrained.

I'm a fan of HMD programming in general so I love this project. But it should be noted that AOSP-based XR headsets can run pseudo Linux environments via termux + X: https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberDeck/comments/fc5sfr/oculus_qu...

Also if anyone is looking for a full-sized portable keyboard, I suggest https://www.protoarc.com/products/xk01-tri-fold-bluetooth-ke... which is my primary keyboard when I'm working remotely on my tablet. It is "pocket-sized" for certain definitions of "pocket".

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#12

Post by fitsumbelay » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:29 AM UTC

very cool project

not long ago there was a post by a user also using glasses -- 85% sure they're the same ones -- but the goal was to replace a laptop display a fuller size one. I like that this project replaces the laptop with a SBC. I spent a decade and a half wishing that SBC would be a Raspberry Pi but ... welp, better late than never

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#13

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:35 AM UTC

stavros wrote: post #9

I was thinking of entirely removing the screen on my Framework, and using the Xreal Air instead. This is a really cool build, and it's inspired me to give the screenectomy a shot! I just hope I don't break anything.

Break everything! It’s how you learn to fix it. Just the other day I was in a full on panic having disassembled my toilet thinking a leak was “an easy fix.” It wasn’t, but I got it done.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#14

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:36 AM UTC

ngamboa wrote: post #3

I wonder if we're on the brink of a world where hardware development is as easy as software engineering. Projects like this make me think so.

If you asked me 3 weeks ago I’d think you’re crazy, but this was genuinely not that hard. Honestly I had never even touched CAD before this.

I think my next challenge is supply chain, sourcing a custom board, and figuring out unit economics for a product version.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#15

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:38 AM UTC

fitsumbelay wrote: post #12

very cool project not long ago there was a post by a user also using glasses -- 85% sure they're the same ones -- but the goal was to replace a laptop display a fuller size one. I like that this project replaces the laptop with a SBC. I spent a decade and a half wishing that SBC would be a Raspberry Pi but ... welp, better late than never

You and me both, buddy. Instead I’m calling up SoM companies and seeing what they can build me for cheap.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#16

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:40 AM UTC

johnwalkr wrote: post #10

That's really cool. I don't think you should support another keyboard, there may be better ones from a certain POV but I don't think there's a better one that's not significantly thicker and any keyboard options will quickly multiply complexity with any SBC/computing options. You will go down a rabbit hole if you start taking requests here. I think steamdeck internals plus rpi5 plus latest framework internals with no…

I’m glad you say that because I actually think the Magic Keyboard is good. Obviously if I made a product version I’d need to source an original keyboard, but I’d try to stick to something similar.

Originally I was going to use my HHKB studio, but opted for the Magic Keyboard for the slimmer design and the fact that there’s at least one in every school, office, or other institution across the US.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#17

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:42 AM UTC

sxp wrote: post #11

> Primarily out of frustration. The dominant players in XR keep promoting their hardware as “computers”, when really they’re an iPad for your face. The most you can do is browse the web, play games, and consume content. They’re overweight and over constrained. I'm a fan of HMD programming in general so I love this project. But it should be noted that AOSP-based XR headsets can run pseudo Linux environments via termux…

So I’ve actually been in XR for nearly a decade now. So I’ve tried every version of “dev in XR” I even spent the last 2 years trying to build an XR native dev platform.

The feedback was always “this is too heavy” for all devices excluding XREAL.

Also I wanted a device that didn’t feel like a hack. Something tailored to the experience.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#18

Post by leoc » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:46 AM UTC

I’ve been hoping to see PCs in a proper cyberdeck form factor for years now, so it’s great to see them start to emerge. One thing I would suggest that creators consider is building in a smartphone or small-tablet capacitive-touch display to the right (or left) of the keyboard. That could serve as a trackpad while in VR/AR while out of VR it could act as a notification screen, a pinch monitor if the HMD is not working or not available, and so on.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#19

Post by MichaelThatsIt » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:49 AM UTC

leoc wrote: post #18

I’ve been hoping to see PCs in a proper cyberdeck form factor for years now, so it’s great to see them start to emerge. One thing I would suggest that creators consider is building in a smartphone or small-tablet capacitive-touch display to the right (or left) of the keyboard. That could serve as a trackpad while in VR/AR while out of VR it could act as a notification screen, a pinch monitor if the HMD is not working…

I’m working on another revision with a module mounting system on the sides.

I almost built the trackpad in but it would’ve been a much more personal product, as I’m left handed so I would’ve put it on the left.

Re: Bento: A Steam Deck in a Keyboard

#20

Post by leoc » Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:54 AM UTC

MichaelThatsIt wrote: post #19

leoc wrote: post #18

I’ve been hoping to see PCs in a proper cyberdeck form factor for years now, so it’s great to see them start to emerge. One thing I would suggest that creators consider is building in a smartphone or small-tablet capacitive-touch display to the right (or left) of the keyboard. That could serve as a trackpad while in VR/AR while out of VR it could act as a notification screen, a pinch monitor if the HMD is not working…

I’m working on another revision with a module mounting system on the sides. I almost built the trackpad in but it would’ve been a much more personal product, as I’m left handed so I would’ve put it on the left.

(In fact so am I!)