# K501U Cyberdeck

A cyberdeck built from salvaged ASUS K501U laptop components and Orange Pi 3B SBC.

## Project Status

**Phase:** Initial bring-up — Orange Pi 3B testing and OS setup

- [x] Salvage analysis (K501U components)
- [x] Display identification and controller board ordered ($35)
- [x] SBC selection (Orange Pi 3B 8GB with 256GB eMMC)
- [x] SBC purchased ($189)
- [ ] SBC delivered
- [x] Storage architecture planned
- [x] USB expansion basics
- [x] Case nomenclature and orientation defined
- [x] Build approach: wooden case + salvaged lid canopy
- [x] Input device: ThinkPad TrackPoint keyboard
- [x] Power system: IP5389 board + 3S2P 18650 cells
- [x] Video output: mechanical HDMI A/B switch
- [x] Port layout defined (10 ports + SD reader + Kensington)
- [ ] ~~Case design~~ (postponed — board bring-up first)
- [ ] SBC initial bring-up and OS installation
- [ ] Power system board selection and testing
- [ ] Bow wall design (power input, fan exhaust)
- [ ] Fabrication
- [ ] Software configuration

## Components

### Salvaged from ASUS K501U

- Display: Innolux N156HGE-EAB (Rev. C2)
  - Controller board ordered
- Hinge mechanism from K501U lid
  - Need to consider details of new lid
- Cooling fans and copper heat pipe
  - If I use this I'll need to design around it

**Not reused:**
- RAM (DDR3L soldered, incompatible with modern SBCs)
- SSD (already repurposed for other use)
- WiFi card (OPi3B has built-in WiFi+BT — no external card needed)
- Webcam (cheap as dirt, proprietary connector)
- Keyboard (huge pain to repurpose)
- Motherboard (presumably zapped in an irreparable way)

### New Components

| Component | Selection | Status |
|-----------|-----------|--------|
| SBC | Orange Pi 3B (8GB, RK3566, 256GB eMMC) | Purchased ($189) |
| Display controller | 30-pin eDP to HDMI | Ordered ($35) — arriving in ~2 weeks |
| Storage (boot) | 256GB eMMC (onboard) | Incl. with SBC |
| USB hub | Powered 7-port USB 3.0 | To purchase |
| Storage (data) | USB 3.0 SSD enclosure | Reuse old external hard drive(s)? |

## Documentation

- [Salvage Analysis](docs/salvage-analysis.md) - K501U component breakdown
- [SBC Selection](docs/sbc-selection.md) - Orange Pi 5 details and rationale
- [Storage Architecture](docs/storage-architecture.md) - SD card + USB storage plan
- [USB Expansion](docs/usb-expansion.md) - Hub selection and port allocation
- [Parts List](docs/parts-list.md) - Bill of materials with costs
- [Design Decisions](docs/design-decisions.md) - Build approach, nomenclature, layout
- [Power System](docs/power-system.md) - IP5389 battery management decision
- [Port Layout](docs/port-layout.md) - External port placement and allocation
- [Initial Bring-up](docs/initial-bringup.md) - First boot and hardware validation

## Quick Reference

### Display

- **Panel:** Innolux N156HGE-EAB (Rev. C2)
- **Size:** 15.6" 1920×1080
- **Interface:** 30-pin eDP
- **Controller:** Standard 30-pin eDP to HDMI (~$24) — ordered

### SBC

- **Board:** Orange Pi 3B (RK3566, 8GB RAM, 256GB eMMC)
- **Storage:** 256GB eMMC onboard + MicroSD slot + M.2 M-key
- **USB:** 2× USB 3.0, 2× USB 2.0 native
- **WiFi/BT:** Built-in WiFi 5 + BT 5.0 (no dongle needed)
- **Power:** USB-C 5V/3A via IP5389 power board, 18650 cells
- **Draw:** ~3-5W under load

### Cost Estimate

| Category | Cost |
|----------|------|
| SBC (w/ 256GB eMMC, WiFi+BT) | $189 |
| Display controller | ~$24 |
| Storage (hub + enclosure) | ~$30 |
| Power system (board + cells + fuse + charger) | ~$44 |
| HDMI switch + panel cables + SD reader | ~$33 |
| **Subtotal** | **~$320** |

(Excludes case materials and misc hardware. $189 SBC cost is actual after tax/shipping.)