This 3D-Printed SSH-and-Telnet Terminal Packs a Real CRT for True Vintage Appeal

Pseudonymous maker "Markerbin" has designed a compact desktop inspired by video terminals of old — and packing a genuine five-inch cathode-ray tube (CRT) display, for vintage appeal.

"While this prototype only uses a five-inch color CRT," Markerbin notes of their creation, "I'm almost positive it can be upscaled to a larger 9 or 10 inch screen with a[n Apple] Mac Mini or Intel NUC inside with little-to-no issue. [The CRT is from an] old portable TV: the battery compartment had corroded away so decided to give it a second life as my SSH/telnet terminal!"

The design of the deck is clearly inspired by vintage video terminals and all-in-one luggables, like the DEC VT100 and Osborne 1 — right down to the iconic beige exterior with black internal panel, so as not to distract from the display. Said display is the upcycled TV, a compact color CRT which seems surprisingly readable if you keep the display resolution low. "There is high voltage," Markerbin admits of working with CRT displays. "I've worked on plenty of CRT TVs and computers these past years and have learned how to be cautious. But all components are secure and this enclosure is no more or less hazardous than the original plastic shell it came in!"

The Samsung TV tube takes up the bulk of the housing, while there's a Raspberry Pi single-board computer serving as the driving force. While that provides a handy analog composite video signal compatible with the monitor, it's entirely possible to swap it out for something else: a simple HDMI to composite adapter can sit between a digital video device and the CRT with ease.

More details are available in Markerbin's Reddit post; the maker has promised to release STL files for printing the housing in the near future, following some necessary edits.