3.6 KiB
3.6 KiB
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
- Salvage analysis (K501U components)
- Display identification and controller board ordered ($35)
- SBC selection (Orange Pi 3B 8GB with 256GB eMMC)
- SBC purchased ($189)
- SBC delivered
- Storage architecture planned
- USB expansion basics
- Case nomenclature and orientation defined
- Build approach: wooden case + salvaged lid canopy
- Input device: ThinkPad TrackPoint keyboard
- Power system: [IP5389 board]? + 18650 cells
- Video output: mechanical HDMI A/B switch
- 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 - K501U component breakdown
- SBC Selection - Orange Pi 5 details and rationale
- Storage Architecture - SD card + USB storage plan
- USB Expansion - Hub selection and port allocation
- Parts List - Bill of materials with costs
- Design Decisions - Build approach, nomenclature, layout
- Power System - IP5389 battery management decision
- Port Layout - External port placement and allocation
- Initial Bring-up - 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.)