# Writer Deck Part 3 - Final Assembly

What I finally decided on for a writer deck was a shorter path to success. I was more interested in using the writer deck than in perfecting it. I also accepted that I will never have a mastery of aesthetics, so I went with what worked for me, and what I could live with, looks-wise.

# Bill of Materials

# Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (opens new window)

The guts of the deck. It has everything I need to run a GUI-less Linux instance. I used the Raspberry Pi Imager (opens new window) which allowed me to set up Wi-Fi as part of the installation process

# 5-inch Monitor (opens new window)

This has a separate power connection from the Raspberry Pi, as well as an HDMI port. I'd tried a different monitor with an SPI connection through the Raspberry Pi's pins, but I couldn't find documentation that was conclusive on which pins to use or how to set up the software. The HDMI connection worked, with some software configuration.

# Architeuthis Dux Keyboard (opens new window)

My friend Darren and I ordered a bunch of Architeuthis Dux PCBs from JLCPCB a few years ago. I found a keymap that I liked, and I've been on 34-key keyboards pretty much ever since. I waffled on whether to use the a-dux or a Ferris Sweep keyboard. They both fit the deck equally well. I might go back to the sweep at some point. We'll see.

# Power Banks (opens new window)

These power banks were ideal for the writer deck because, as I mentioned, the monitor and the computer both have their own power ports. These banks have two outputs, so one power bank can serve both pieces. The capacity is big, so I can use the deck for awhile on just one charge. I've never come close to exhausting even one of the power banks in a single session. I do unplug both the monitor and the pi every time so I'm not sneaking power out of the bank when I'm not using it.

# Adjustable Torque Hinges (opens new window)

The rest is odds and ends like a TRRS cable to connect the halves of the keyboards, a USB Micro Male - USB Micro Male cord to connect the keyboard to the pi, and other cables to connect to power, and to connect the pi to the monitor.

# Pretty Pictures

Show the slides

The base was originally made as a keyboard tray that could sit overtop of the keyboard part of a laptop. This was meant to be part of a lapdesk that just ended up being far too big. And the laptop would slide around on the lapdesk, making it hazardous to use while lying down.

All of the components are securely fastened to the base, which means that I could technically use it upside-down if I really felt like it.

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