Get a PiDP-1

Thank you for your interest in our recreation of DEC's PDP-1!
You can order the PiDP-1 as:
  • Console version:
    as a kit ($225), or assembled & tested (adds $125)
    Comes with both blue and white front panels.
  • Rack version:
    as a kit ($385), or assembled & tested (adds $175)
    The rack version includes both the Rack case and the Console case. Comes with both blue and white front panels.

Shipping cost is $45 worldwide. If you are in the US: there are no additional costs like import duties.
If you are elsewhere: we ship internationally with DHL, import duties may apply.

We have one fixed shipping cost worldwide to keep things simple. But shipping is not a hidden profit for us. In fact, in 2024, our average actual shipping cost was $48, and in 2025, it was even worse. Yes, cheaper shipping options exist, but at the expense of poor treatment of the parcels at Customs, poor parcel tracking - we learned our way around.

Please note that you need to supply your own Raspberry Pi (any from Pi Zero 2W to Pi 5).

Also, please note that the Rack Version is too large to ship safely when fully assembled. You still need a screwdriver to screw together the rack frame; slide the 5 panels in; and plug in 4 cables at the back.

We'd like to think that we provide pretty good support.
Contact oscar@ceds.dev if you have any questions when building the kit. Even if you have not soldered before, we're sure to get your machine going.


Details of our two PiDP-1 replica versions


For the Console version of our replica, we chose to model it on the early 'Console' versions that DEC published photos of. Sadly, no Console PDP-1 survives. But as the front panel was identical to that mounted on the Rack machines, we are in safe territory here. We do admit we made the case about an inch deeper, because our Console is supposed to stand on a table - not be screwed down to it. And you do not want the front panel to topple over when you press on its switches!

The Rack version is modeled after the PDP-1 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories. Partly because that was by far the most fully-specced PDP-1 ever delivered, and came with built-in speakers. As early electronic music and the PDP-1 are quite a topic, that was an attractive option. Recommended: George Michael's history of the Livermore PDP-1.

It also allowed us to tuck in the option of two small 'hidden' display slots in the speaker frame's center holes. One can be used as a Type 30 display, the other one visualises the paper tape reader and paper tape punch. USB connectors for reader and punch been hidden in the vertical slot above the speaker bar - behind which DEC originally mounted the punch. That gave us a very satisfying compromise: we have the paper tapes visually running in one of the four speaker slots, and plug-in USB sticks act as physical substitutes.

But please note, adding the little display behind the speaker bar is optional. All it takes, though, is slotting a little $40 7 inch HDMI display.


Building the replica


To get an idea of what is involved, see the Building Instructions (link) and PiDP-1 Manual (link)for details. Note that we always choose to add extreme detail in our Instructions - but especially the Console is not a hard kit to build. With 54 switches, and 100+ LED lamps, it will take a few hours, though! If you do not look forward to building your own Blinkenlights machine, we do offer assembled & tested machines as well.


The PiDP-1 in detail: photo galleries


Rack PiDP-1, almost-final prototype

Console PiDP-1, almost-final prototype