# K501U Cyberdeck

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

## Project Status

**Phase:** Recovery — eMMC boot broken after Armbian SD card's u-boot overwrote bootloader sectors

- [x] K501U salvage analysis complete
- [x] Build design finalized (wooden case, TrackPoint keyboard, IP5389 power, HDMI switch, port layout)
- [x] Display identified — eDP controller board ordered ($35)
- [x] SBC: Orange Pi 3B 8GB/256GB — purchased and delivered
- [x] SBC boot from eMMC — ~~verified~~ **BROKEN by Armbian SD card boot attempt**
- [x] Display controller board — awaiting delivery (~2 weeks)
- [x] Power system — Banggood board + cells + amp ordered Jun 3
- [ ] Bootloader repair — pending (see docs/armbian-install.md for current state)
- [ ] Case fabrication
- [ ] Full assembly and 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
- [Case Design](docs/case-design.md) - Dimensional constraints, component footprint, floorplan
- [Initial Bring-up](docs/initial-bringup.md) - First boot and hardware validation
- [Armbian Install](docs/armbian-install.md) - Armbian on p3 with shared /boot, XFCE via startx

## 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 + holders + fuse) | ~$64 |
|| PAM8403 audio amp | ~$4 |
|| OPi 3B metal case + fan | ~$17 |
|| HDMI switch + panel cables + SD reader | ~$33 |
|| **Subtotal** | **~$361** |

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