Rabbit plans a $500 Linux coding machine that recalls the Sony Vaio P and challenges high-end MacBook Neo dominance
- Rabbit’s Cyberdeck revives the Vaio P concept with a modern Linux twist
- The device targets ambiance coding, not raw performance like high-end laptops
- Hardware can match Raspberry Pi 5 performance while remaining affordable at $500
Rabbit is preparing to release a compact device later this year, taking inspiration from the Sony Vaio P, a netbook briefly available in 2009.
Unlike Apple’s popular new MacBook Neo, the new machine isn’t designed for raw performance.
It’s explicitly aimed at ambiance coding, allowing developers to run AI tools like Claude Code and OpenAI Cursor on the go without requiring a fast CPU or powerful GPU.
Article continues below
Why Rabbit is building a dedicated coding device
Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu observed that existing inexpensive PCs, including Chromebooks, often came with unsatisfactory rubber-domed keyboards that made prolonged typing sessions uncomfortable.
The company wanted a portable solution suitable for developers, and the idea of a modern netbook emerged.
The Cyberdeck project is Rabbit’s attempt to revive the compact and portable spirit of the Vaio P with modern hardware and software.
Early renders show a device reminiscent of the Vaio P, featuring four USB-C ports for monitors and external devices.
Rabbit is still researching components and finalizing the design, which means specifications could change.
The goal is to achieve performance roughly equivalent to a Raspberry Pi 5, which uses a 2.4GHz quad-core Broadcom BCM2712 Arm Cortex-A76 processor with 16GB of RAM, while remaining affordable for developers.
The company is experimenting with a 7-inch OLED touchscreen capable of a 165Hz refresh rate and high brightness, as well as a compact mechanical keyboard with a fully hot-swappable PCB to adjust typing feel.
Cyberdeck will run Linux and allow full customization of the operating system, giving users control of third-party tools and command-line access to RabbitOS features.
To improve OLED battery efficiency, the company plans to integrate dark mode into the system.
High demand for high-bandwidth memory and other components could affect RAM capacity and production lead times.
Still, Lyu believes Rabbit can ship quickly if supplies improve, based on the company’s previous 93-day development cycle for the R1.
While carrying around a dedicated coding device won’t appeal to everyone, Rabbit aims to create a practical tool that balances portability, usability, and affordability.
The Cyberdeck is still in development, with many details undecided, but the company is leveraging its experience with existing products and AI agents to ensure the device has a working software ecosystem upon launch.
As for its price, the expected retail price is $500, well below the Vaio P’s adjusted launch price of $1,365, and the company hopes to avoid the flaws of the original model.
Via Engadget
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp Also.
