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I've tried to do work on various pocket-sized computers over the years (HP LX100 palmtop, Motorola Q, HTC G1, Samsung Sidekick 4G) and various netbooks and such

I've tried to do work on various pocket-sized computers over the years (HP LX100 palmtop, Motorola Q, HTC G1, Samsung Sidekick 4G) and various netbooks and such. The most productive device I've had is an Acer Chromebook. For me it is the typing speed, and having a nearly full-sized keyboard makes a huge difference. Adding an SSH client (though you can instead install the Linux subsystem) allows me to access my remote servers where I do development. While thin and light, the Chromebook doesn't fit in a pocket. But it is not as if I'm randomly hanging out in coffee shops these days trying to do work.

tombert 5y ago
I am on the train a lot (probably too often considering COVID), and often am forced to stand up, basically eliminating any laptop that requires a lap. The GPD Win has been great because I can hold it and type with it with my thumbs, not wholly dissimilar to a smartphone, but I have full Windows 10 running on there. It's definitely not for everyone, but for me it's been a lot of fun to hack on Pico-8 during a two hour train delay two years ago.
- ansible 5y ago
  Ah, yes. If you're standing, then something much more compact makes a lot of sense. I wouldn't mind seeing something with the same form factor as the GPD Win3, but using a relatively low-power processor for better battery life. I suppose that wouldn't drop down the price enough to make it desirable to most of the target market though.
  - argvargc 5y ago
    As I understand it, battery performance can be somewhat configurable on these, eg by adjusting BIOS settings for thermal controls to keep the CPU throttled. If you don't mind the lack of gaming controls, they have some Pentium N6000-based models. The P2 Max (2022) with this claims 8 hours continuous 1080p playback. Still expensive though - would be great to see a more terminal-focused version with a lower power CPU and screen for a few hundred, and presumably a battery life measured in days.
    - ansible 5y ago
      Most of their products I would consider too big for thumb typing while standing. The Micro PC seems about right though with a 6in screen. https://www.gpd.hk/gpdmicropc https://www.gpd.hk/gpdmicropc Apparently not for sale new anymore, and it seemed expensive when it was.
      - tombert 5y ago
        FWIW, I'm a pretty tall dude and have pretty big hands, and the GPD Win 2's buttons don't bother me at all.

tombert 5y ago

I am on the train a lot (probably too often considering COVID), and often am forced to stand up, basically eliminating any laptop that requires a lap. The GPD Win has been great because I can hold it and type with it with my thumbs, not wholly dissimilar to a smartphone, but I have full Windows 10 running on there. It's definitely not for everyone, but for me it's been a lot of fun to hack on Pico-8 during a two hour train delay two years ago.

ansible 5y ago
Ah, yes. If you're standing, then something much more compact makes a lot of sense. I wouldn't mind seeing something with the same form factor as the GPD Win3, but using a relatively low-power processor for better battery life. I suppose that wouldn't drop down the price enough to make it desirable to most of the target market though.
- argvargc 5y ago
  As I understand it, battery performance can be somewhat configurable on these, eg by adjusting BIOS settings for thermal controls to keep the CPU throttled. If you don't mind the lack of gaming controls, they have some Pentium N6000-based models. The P2 Max (2022) with this claims 8 hours continuous 1080p playback. Still expensive though - would be great to see a more terminal-focused version with a lower power CPU and screen for a few hundred, and presumably a battery life measured in days.
  - ansible 5y ago
    Most of their products I would consider too big for thumb typing while standing. The Micro PC seems about right though with a 6in screen. https://www.gpd.hk/gpdmicropc https://www.gpd.hk/gpdmicropc Apparently not for sale new anymore, and it seemed expensive when it was.
    - tombert 5y ago
      FWIW, I'm a pretty tall dude and have pretty big hands, and the GPD Win 2's buttons don't bother me at all.