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K501U cyberdeck build documentation
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BarnacleBoy 6347f49fca revise: by-the-book Rockchip user-area boot approach 
- Switch from eMMC hardware boot partition (0x48) to user area (0x78)
- p1 starts at sector 32768 to leave room for bootloader in GPT gap
- Write idbloader at sector 64, u-boot.itb at sector 16384
- Add experimental findings explaining why first approach failed
- Add verification steps (hexdump RKNS check, PARTITION_CONFIG check)
- All references from actual docs (Rockchip wiki, Gentoo, Khadas, PINE64)
2026-06-03 00:34:20 +00:00
assets add Orange Pi 3B bottom view photo 2026-05-27 00:47:28 +00:00
docs revise: by-the-book Rockchip user-area boot approach 2026-06-03 00:34:20 +00:00
.gitignore Initial commit: cyberdeck project planning docs 2026-05-08 22:48:30 +00:00
README.md power system research: IP5389 series config, 3S2P cells, power budget, audio amp, display controller power 2026-06-01 00:42:39 +00:00

README.md

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 + 3S2P 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

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.)