The VTech Speaking Whiz Child was what the corporate described as a “pre-computer” again within the ‘90s and is one in all many academic toys designed to seem like an precise laptop. In actuality, it was extra like the enduring Texas Devices Communicate & Spell and had very restricted performance. However it has a sure attraction right this moment because of its blocky design that appears like a miniature model of an ‘80s laptop computer or luggable. That made the Speaking Whiz Child the right platform for Redditor OkTune5910’s Samsung DeX cyberdeck construct.
Samsung DeX is a neat function obtainable for Samsung cell units that turns them into one thing just like a desktop PC when plugged right into a monitor. {Hardware} and implementation particulars range, however the concept is that smartphones have greater than sufficient energy to deal with most on a regular basis computing duties. DeX lets customers depend on their smartphones and tablets for these, quite than shopping for computer systems that they don’t actually need. On this case, DeX gave OkTune5910 the power to run a cyberdeck with out the same old single-board laptop.
Right here, OkTune5910 used an outdated Samsung Galaxy S9 for DeX. That attaches to the underside of the Speaking Whiz Child, beneath the keyboard. That seems to be a small Bluetooth keyboard, which replaces the unique (terrible) membrane keyboard that had a really restricted variety of keys. Equally, the unique Speaking Whiz Child display obtained a contemporary HDMI-fed, high-resolution substitute. Energy for that and the S9 comes from a big USB battery financial institution. The mouse is a separate exterior wi-fi mannequin.
The Speaking Whiz Child has a cool vibe, nevertheless it doesn’t actually match the cyberpunk model that we are likely to affiliate with cyberdeck tasks. To get that, OkTune5910 gave the entire thing a coat of black spray paint after which went to city with a vinyl cutter and carbon fiber wrap. That gave the entire cyberdeck a cohesive look with an acceptable aesthetic.
Opinions about Samsung DeX appear to vary fairly dramatically, however it’s good to see it utilized in a cyberdeck. And, in fact, it provides new life to an outdated smartphone that may in any other case find yourself as e-waste.