3 ms·

Excited to see the final build. The author provided a list of _obscure_ handhelds that you could try and get your hands on. On that list there is the Pyra[0]

by stamps 7y ago

Excited to see the final build. The author provided a list of _obscure_ handhelds that you could try and get your hands on. On that list there is the Pyra[0] which is very near completion. It has some interesting features such as a replaceable CPU board (nonstandard) for future upgrades. [0]https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/pages/pyra/ https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/pages/pyra/

qwerty456127 7y ago
Pyra is near completion? I thought it was abandonned (I have been waiting for almost 10 years already). It looks like an almost-perfect handheld device, what it should actually be (according to my vision). The only thing missing is an RJ-45 NIC port (which would make it really useful for admins) but a USB-attached one will probably do just fine.
- stamps 7y ago
  See my post above. Here's the latest thread from the forums: https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-here-now.83733/ https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-he...
- borgel 7y ago
  Depending on your sense of urgency, there's now the GPD Micro PC [1]. Quite the odd duckling, but it includes an RJ-45 and an honest-to-god DB9 for RS232! [1] https://liliputing.com/2019/02/gpd-micropc-handheld-computer-preview.html https://liliputing.com/2019/02/gpd-micropc-handheld-computer...
pergadad 7y ago
Hmm I don't understand this. Why pay 600€ for a handheld with a 1.6ghz dual core if I can buy a netbook/13" with better specs for less? What is the use case for this device?
- floren 7y ago
  In 2011, it was a pretty good deal. Edit: apparently it was presented in 2014... when, yes, dual core ARM would have already been pretty sub-par.
  - Grumbledour 7y ago
    It's the same story with the predecessor, the Pandora. It took forever to come out, while the preorder price steadily increased. It turned out to be pretty great when it finally arrived, but the specs did not look good anymore at that point. And it seems to be even worse for the Pyra, especially since gpd has finally understood the need and is now manufacturing similar devices. I think the concept is good but maybe it would be better to design a solid handheld with a slot in option for a pi or some similar form factor sbc. That way, users could actually upgrade the device and keep it current. The hard part these days seems not be the actual computing, but the quality and usability of the screen, keyboard and game controls.
- stamps 7y ago
  I think the use case is mainly targeted at handheld computing/gaming. It's definitely a more boutique device. My guess would be it's for the crowd looking for repair ability and control over the device.
- wwweston 7y ago
  The handheld / pocket form factor is just a different device category, the kind you can have always on you. It's more competition for your phone than your netbook. Of course, it arguably suffers there: 600€ will buy you a lot of phone right now (def more processor). So there's there's a reasonable question regarding whether the keyboard + controls and more open nature add enough value. The answer is probably "no" unless handheld gaming and tinkering is your thing.
LeoPanthera 7y ago
Do you have a source for “near completion”? I was under the impression the project was dead. It’s been “coming soon” for nearly a decade.
- stamps 7y ago
  It definitely has been a long time. From the forums you can see the updates that the creator has provided. Here is the most recent thread which details the case molds and shows a assembled unit: https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-here-now.83733/ https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-he...

by stamps 7y ago

qwerty456127 7y ago

Pyra is near completion? I thought it was abandonned (I have been waiting for almost 10 years already). It looks like an almost-perfect handheld device, what it should actually be (according to my vision). The only thing missing is an RJ-45 NIC port (which would make it really useful for admins) but a USB-attached one will probably do just fine.

stamps 7y ago
See my post above. Here's the latest thread from the forums: https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-here-now.83733/ https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-he...
borgel 7y ago
Depending on your sense of urgency, there's now the GPD Micro PC [1]. Quite the odd duckling, but it includes an RJ-45 and an honest-to-god DB9 for RS232! [1] https://liliputing.com/2019/02/gpd-micropc-handheld-computer-preview.html https://liliputing.com/2019/02/gpd-micropc-handheld-computer...

pergadad 7y ago

Hmm I don't understand this. Why pay 600€ for a handheld with a 1.6ghz dual core if I can buy a netbook/13" with better specs for less? What is the use case for this device?

floren 7y ago
In 2011, it was a pretty good deal. Edit: apparently it was presented in 2014... when, yes, dual core ARM would have already been pretty sub-par.
- Grumbledour 7y ago
  It's the same story with the predecessor, the Pandora. It took forever to come out, while the preorder price steadily increased. It turned out to be pretty great when it finally arrived, but the specs did not look good anymore at that point. And it seems to be even worse for the Pyra, especially since gpd has finally understood the need and is now manufacturing similar devices. I think the concept is good but maybe it would be better to design a solid handheld with a slot in option for a pi or some similar form factor sbc. That way, users could actually upgrade the device and keep it current. The hard part these days seems not be the actual computing, but the quality and usability of the screen, keyboard and game controls.
stamps 7y ago
I think the use case is mainly targeted at handheld computing/gaming. It's definitely a more boutique device. My guess would be it's for the crowd looking for repair ability and control over the device.
wwweston 7y ago
The handheld / pocket form factor is just a different device category, the kind you can have always on you. It's more competition for your phone than your netbook. Of course, it arguably suffers there: 600€ will buy you a lot of phone right now (def more processor). So there's there's a reasonable question regarding whether the keyboard + controls and more open nature add enough value. The answer is probably "no" unless handheld gaming and tinkering is your thing.

LeoPanthera 7y ago

Do you have a source for “near completion”? I was under the impression the project was dead. It’s been “coming soon” for nearly a decade.

stamps 7y ago
It definitely has been a long time. From the forums you can see the updates that the creator has provided. Here is the most recent thread which details the case molds and shows a assembled unit: https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-here-now.83733/ https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/even-more-to-see-he...