u/ZCTMO

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! The engineering prototype of the CG Deck is getting even more polished and I have finally been able to complete the Gamepad Controller Module & 10-Key + Knob Modules! I will get into everything a little later!

For those that are seeing this project for the first time, the CG Deck is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, or doing retro emulation, doing CAD work in Blender or other 3D software, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would.

I also wanted to make a device that I did not "grow" out of. A lot of the time, I have felt like I end up getting a new device for a particular purpose, and then after a short period of time it needs repairs, updates, or upgrades which I do not really have the ability to do myself without opening up and re-engineering the original device. Because of this, I wanted the CG Deck to be entirely modular. Every aspect can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need, without needing a degree in engineering to do so. I wanted to not just develop a device that would not just eventually turn into e-waste, but an ecosystem that can be updated and developed as time passes to keep the CG Deck relevant. Something more attuned to a platform rather than a traditional device.
Over the past 6 months, I have been going through the process of concepting, designing, engineering, navigating partnerships with manufacturers and brands, prototyping, testing assemblies and trying out new methods to make manufacturing of various parts easier, etc, in addition to recording the behind the scenes of everything. I am slowly chipping away at the list of tasks which need to be done, so I am excited to update you all on some of the new additions and updates to the CG Deck!

The most monumental of all the minor updates and adjustments, is the finalization of the various module formats, their standards, and finishing the prototypes for the Controller Module and 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module! This will set us up to more easily release more official modules in the future, in addition to opening up the designs for the community to start brainstorming and working on their own custom modules for the various slots! Once we successfully wrap up our Kickstarter, we will be publishing those documents and files needed for the maker side of our community to start having fun!

The CG Deck will release with 5 total external modules (two slots, the primary and secondary slots), a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it, and can be adapted as your use cases change.

For the primary slot, there is the 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module, Gamepad Controller Module, Full 64 Key Silicone Keyboard Module.

For the secondary slot, there will only be the Trackball module at launch. I do have more modules planned for the secondary slot, but those will not be released or announced until after we have launched on Kickstarter and successfully wrapped up our campaign.

Then, the final module I will be releasing with the CG Deck when we launch on Kickstarter will be a 4K Low Light Camera Module. The Camera Module uses one of the USB-A ports on the side I/O hub to add a front-facing camera and microphone.

In addition, there are 2 internal modules/upgrades which can be used to add additional functionality to your CG Deck. An M.2m NVMe SSD & AI Acceleration Module with 2230 & 2280 lock downs for expanding internal storage and improving data read speeds. And and M.2 4G LTE Module for adding satellite/sim service to your CG Deck.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! As for the list of major adjustments which need to be made still, I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. And the prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect for a high quality device.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

Also, If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am currently working on designing and building my own handheld modular PC called the CG Deck, and I have finally finished the engineering prototype and have been able to test out emulation on some of my favorite games!

I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. Over the past 6 moths, I have been going through the process of concepting, designing, engineering, navigating partnerships with manufacturers and brands, prototyping, testing assemblies and trying out new methods to make manufacturing of various parts easier, etc. I will get into all of that a little later.

For those that are seeing this project for the first time, the CG Deck is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, or doing retro emulation, doing CAD work in Blender or other 3D software, coding, video editing, photo editing, making art, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would.

I also wanted to make a device that I did not "grow" out of. A lot of the time, I have felt like I end up getting a new device for a particular purpose, and then after a short period of time it needs repairs, updates, or upgrades which I do not really have the ability to do myself without opening up and re-engineering the original device. Because of this, I wanted the CG Deck to be entirely modular. Every aspect can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need, without needing a degree in engineering to do so. I wanted to not just develop a device that would not just eventually turn into e-waste, but an ecosystem that can be updated and developed as time passes to keep the CG Deck relevant. Something more attuned to a platform rather than a traditional device.
Over the past 6 months, I have been going through the process of concepting, designing, engineering, navigating partnerships with manufacturers and brands, prototyping, testing assemblies and trying out new methods to make manufacturing of various parts easier, etc, in addition to recording the behind the scenes of everything. I am slowly chipping away at the list of tasks which need to be done, so I am excited to update you all on some of the new additions and updates to the CG Deck!

The most monumental of all the minor updates and adjustments as of recent, is the finalization of the various module formats, their standards, and finishing the prototypes for the Controller Module and 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module! This will set us up to more easily release more official modules in the future, in addition to opening up the designs for the community to start brainstorming and working on their own custom modules for the various slots! Once we successfully wrap up our Kickstarter, we will be publishing those documents and files needed for the maker side of our community to start having fun!

The CG Deck will release with 5 total external modules (two slots, the primary and secondary slots), a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it, and can be adapted as your use cases change.

For the primary slot, there is the 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module, Gamepad Controller Module, Full 64 Key Silicone Keyboard Module.

For the secondary slot, there will only be the Trackball module at launch. I do have more modules planned for the secondary slot, but those will not be released or announced until after we have launched on Kickstarter and successfully wrapped up our campaign.

Then, the final module I will be releasing with the CG Deck when we launch on Kickstarter will be a 4K Low Light Camera Module. The Camera Module uses one of the USB-A ports on the side I/O hub to add a front-facing camera and microphone.

In addition, there are 2 internal modules/upgrades which can be used to add additional functionality to your CG Deck. An M.2m NVMe SSD & AI Acceleration Module with 2230 & 2280 lock downs for expanding internal storage and improving data read speeds. And and M.2 4G LTE Module for adding satellite/sim service to your CG Deck.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! As for the list of major adjustments which need to be made still, I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. And the prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect for a high quality device.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

Also, If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! The engineering prototype of the CG Deck is getting even more polished and I have finally been able to complete the Gamepad Controller Module & 10-Key + Knob Modules! I will get into everything a little later!

For those that are seeing this project for the first time, the CG Deck is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, or doing retro emulation, doing CAD work in Blender or other 3D software, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would.

I also wanted to make a device that I did not "grow" out of. A lot of the time, I have felt like I end up getting a new device for a particular purpose, and then after a short period of time it needs repairs, updates, or upgrades which I do not really have the ability to do myself without opening up and re-engineering the original device. Because of this, I wanted the CG Deck to be entirely modular. Every aspect can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need, without needing a degree in engineering to do so. I wanted to not just develop a device that would not just eventually turn into e-waste, but an ecosystem that can be updated and developed as time passes to keep the CG Deck relevant. Something more attuned to a platform rather than a traditional device.
Over the past 6 months, I have been going through the process of concepting, designing, engineering, navigating partnerships with manufacturers and brands, prototyping, testing assemblies and trying out new methods to make manufacturing of various parts easier, etc, in addition to recording the behind the scenes of everything. I am slowly chipping away at the list of tasks which need to be done, so I am excited to update you all on some of the new additions and updates to the CG Deck!

The most monumental of all the minor updates and adjustments, is the finalization of the various module formats, their standards, and finishing the prototypes for the Controller Module and 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module! This will set us up to more easily release more official modules in the future, in addition to opening up the designs for the community to start brainstorming and working on their own custom modules for the various slots! Once we successfully wrap up our Kickstarter, we will be publishing those documents and files needed for the maker side of our community to start having fun!

The CG Deck will release with 5 total external modules (two slots, the primary and secondary slots), a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it, and can be adapted as your use cases change.

For the primary slot, there is the 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module, Gamepad Controller Module, Full 64 Key Silicone Keyboard Module.

For the secondary slot, there will only be the Trackball module at launch. I do have more modules planned for the secondary slot, but those will not be released or announced until after we have launched on Kickstarter and successfully wrapped up our campaign.

Then, the final module I will be releasing with the CG Deck when we launch on Kickstarter will be a 4K Low Light Camera Module. The Camera Module uses one of the USB-A ports on the side I/O hub to add a front-facing camera and microphone.

In addition, there are 2 internal modules/upgrades which can be used to add additional functionality to your CG Deck. An M.2m NVMe SSD & AI Acceleration Module with 2230 & 2280 lock downs for expanding internal storage and improving data read speeds. And and M.2 4G LTE Module for adding satellite/sim service to your CG Deck.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! As for the list of major adjustments which need to be made still, I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. And the prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect for a high quality device.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

Also, If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am currently working on designing and building my own handheld UMPC, and I have finally finished the engineering prototype! Over the past 6 moths, I have been going through the process of concepting, designing, engineering, navigating partnerships with manufacturers and brands, prototyping, testing assemblies and trying out new methods to make manufacturing of various parts easier, etc. Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

For those that are seeing this project for the first time, the CG Deck is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, or doing retro emulation, doing CAD work in Blender or other 3D software, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would.

I also wanted to make a device that I did not "grow" out of. A lot of the time, I have felt like I end up getting a new device for a particular purpose, and then after a short period of time it needs repairs, updates, or upgrades which I do not really have the ability to do myself without opening up and re-engineering the original device. Because of this, I wanted the CG Deck to be entirely modular. Every aspect can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need, without needing a degree in engineering to do so. I wanted to not just develop a device that would not just eventually turn into e-waste, but an ecosystem that can be updated and developed as time passes to keep the CG Deck relevant. Something more attuned to a platform rather than a traditional device.

The CG Deck will release with 5 total external modules (two slots, the primary and secondary slots), a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it, and can be adapted as your use cases change.

For the primary slot, there is the 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module, Gamepad Controller Module, Full 64 Key Silicone Keyboard Module.

For the secondary slot, there will only be the Trackball module at launch. I do have more modules planned for the secondary slot, but those will not be released or announced until after we have launched on Kickstarter and successfully wrapped up our campaign.

Then, the final module I will be releasing with the CG Deck when we launch on Kickstarter will be a 4K Low Light Camera Module. The Camera Module uses one of the USB-A ports on the side I/O hub to add a front-facing camera and microphone.

In addition, there are 2 internal modules/upgrades which can be used to add additional functionality to your CG Deck. An M.2m NVMe SSD & AI Acceleration Module with 2230 & 2280 lock downs for expanding internal storage and improving data read speeds. And and M.2 4G LTE Module for adding satellite/sim service to your CG Deck.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect for a high quality device.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

Also, If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark for a little over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, video editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/ LTE sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

There are currently 4 different modules, all of which can be swapped in and out with each other depending on your current use case. There are two slots and types of modules*,* the primary and secondary slot, each fitting their respective modules. For primary modules, there I have currently put together the 64-Key Rubber Keyboard Module, 11-key & Rotary Knob w/ Hot Swap Sockets, the Gamepad Controller Module. As for Secondary Modules, there is only the Trackball Mouse Module at this time, but I do plan to create some additional modules after we successfully wrap up our Kickstarter.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

The CG Deck will be Open Source and I will be releasing all of the source files once everything is finalized and we wrap up our Kickstarter and start shipping units to our early supporters! This way you can dive into everything behind the CG Deck and even build your own or make custom improvements to your device if that is your cup of tea. I will also be creating a youtube video showcasing the build process and highlighting the trials and challenges of creating a "Production" device from the very start. The "Documentary" will be going over everything from the initial concept, through building the BOM and figuring out hardware to designing the shell in CAD, assembly, rounds of prototyping, navigating partnerships with brands and companies, through launching our Kickstarter, and everything in between.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

*edited* Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark for a little over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, video editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/ LTE sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

There are currently 4 different modules, all of which can be swapped in and out with each other depending on your current use case. There are two slots and types of modules*,* the primary and secondary slot, each fitting their respective modules. For primary modules, there I have currently put together the 64-Key Rubber Keyboard Module, 11-key & Rotary Knob w/ Hot Swap Sockets, the Gamepad Controller Module. As for Secondary Modules, there is only the Trackball Mouse Module at this time, but I do plan to create some additional modules after we successfully wrap up our Kickstarter.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

The CG Deck will be Open Source and I will be releasing all of the source files once everything is finalized and we wrap up our Kickstarter and start shipping units to our early supporters! This way you can dive into everything behind the CG Deck and even build your own or make custom improvements to your device if that is your cup of tea. I will also be creating a youtube video showcasing the build process and highlighting the trials and challenges of creating a "Production" device from the very start. The "Documentary" will be going over everything from the initial concept, through building the BOM and figuring out hardware to designing the shell in CAD, assembly, rounds of prototyping, navigating partnerships with brands and companies, through launching our Kickstarter, and everything in between.

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

*edited* Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark for a little over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, video editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark for a little over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, video editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which feels premium and has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark for a little over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, video editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed and bring the weight down approximately 100-150 grams. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel we all expect.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

I would love to hear all of your thoughts on everything so far, and if you have any questions about anything I look forward to answering them!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device. My initial goal was to create a ultra small handheld PC that was entirely self contained and can be thrown in a backpack or large cargo pants pocket (The entire device is 7.4" x 4.6" x 2.25"), with a high enough standard of hardware capable of being actually useful for things like high end retro emulation, CAD design/doing light modelling tasks in Blender, PCB design, coding, graphic design, music, video editing, and gaming with my steam library! Because it runs an x86 architecture, we get the advantage of being able to natively play steam games unlike a lot of other consoles.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. Every plastic part is 3D printed of course!! I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to still to make everything just right. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for mass production and moving into the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 40+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as I move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far (and really the project as a whole) was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it! Of course the negatives, molds, and finals for the rubber keypads were designed in Blender!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

A little backstory on the project; I wanted to created a handheld device which could ultimately be used for my CAD work in Blender while I was on the road/traveling. And as a challenge to truly test my abilities in Blender in attempt to design the entire manufacturable and 3D printable prototype using Blender 3D 5.0. I have seen tons of people use Blender for creating concepts of product design, but the number of people that use it for "real world" use cases seems to be a much smaller group. As many of you likely know, Blender is not designed as a "CAD" software, and my one criteria was using no plug-ins or addons to turn Blender into a CAD tool, rather using Blender in it's vanilla state. Because of this, the most precise tools I used in the entire project for scale reference were the annotation tools, simple measuring ruler and the transform info hot menu, and most often just a sense of "Yeah that looks about right, or I need about fingernail length more or less space here.". The entire project has been a massive challenge and learning opportunity, and I honestly am excited to start working on my next device using Blender to design it entirely!!

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to still to make everything just right. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 40+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as I move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far (and really the project as a whole) was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it! Of course the negatives, molds, and finals for the rubber keypads were designed in Blender!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck, the modular handheld x86 PC! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders. I will be sharing a BTS video showing the entire build process from the initial concept through the final assembly of the device!

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

Hello everyone! I am excited to share some updates on the current state of the CG Deck! I have finally finished, and present to you, the engineering prototype!!! Granted there is still lots of work to be done to get everything perfect and transition from this "functional" state of the device into a product which has the level of polish that it deserves. I will get into all of that, and what all still needs to be done.

I also wanted to apologize for the radio silence. I had went dark over the past month or so to put the work and focus I needed to get the first engineering prototype finished and presentable. So my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates or presence in general. I have been juggling recording the BTS of everything, editing, navigating partnerships with manufacturers/brands, and working on the prototype all at once and had got a bit overwhelmed. Now that I have got the prototype to something I am happy with sharing with you all, I finally have a slight weight lifted off of my shoulders.

For those that are seeing the CG Deck for the first time, it is a modular handheld x86 PC that is capable of running dual-boot operating systems including Windows & Linux distributions. My goal was to create my own "dream device" that was capable of adapting to whatever use case I needed. Whether I am playing Steam games, doing CAD work in Blender, coding, video editing, or whatever it is, I wanted to be able to simply be able to do it on the road or while traveling. I thought it would be ideal to have something that was portable enough to throw in a backpack or pants pocket, satellite/sim capable, and be used just as any other full scale desktop computer would. The entire device is modular and can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need. The CG Deck will release with 5 different modules, a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it and acts as a platform rather than just another device.

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work. I would love to hear your thoughts on how you think everything is coming together! There are a few things I need to do to make the prototype less prototype-esque? and closer to it's final state. I am still currently working on the 10 Key & Gamepad modules and they need just a bit more work before they are presentable, so only the trackball and keyboard modules were ready to share. I also still will need to create a custom solution for a display board which fully matches our specifications for the CG Deck. The prototype currently weighs 590 grams and is quite a bit chunkier than I would like, so the goal is to squish everything down, remove any excess bulk that is not absolutely needed. The end device will have an injection molded shell which will give everything that familiar quality feel.

I will also need to make some finalizations to the CAD design to both accommodate the new display solution, and further optimize everything before it is ready to be tested and prepared for the injection molding process. Including the first 5 modules, there are currently over 30+ custom designed individual plastic parts, 8 custom rubber buttons, a custom designed rubber keyboard pad, over a dozen custom plastic buttons. All of which will need to be redesigned, optimized and prepared for various molding processes as we move forward. Thankfully, nothing is finalized yet and I can still easily make adjustments to optimize and perfect the device on the fly before we move on to the next steps.

One of my favorite aspects of building the prototype so far was figuring out and navigating creating the custom silicone rubber keypad for the keyboard module. Finding any information about the processes used is essentially limited to a handful of documents or blogs, with most of the helpful info behind "contact for more information" walls at overseas factories. So because this process is so secretive, and my experience being somewhat limited in this side of manufacturing, I was forced to do a ton of testing and trial and error. I went into quite a bit of detail with everyone on our Discord server while I was figuring out the process. All in all, I ended up with a keypad I am happy with (but is far from it's final form). If anyone is interested in more about this specific aspect of the project, I would love to talk more about it!

If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com