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I keep looking at similar devices. What I really want is a small lap top machine (but not necessarily a clamshell laptop) that I can keep by my couch. My goal
by salmo 4y ago
I keep looking at similar devices. What I really want is a small lap top machine (but not necessarily a clamshell laptop) that I can keep by my couch.
My goal is to be able to write software when an idea pops in my head or ssh into my home gear. I just want an xterm w/ vim and a browser to look up docs.
I have a old 2012 HP Elite (?) laptop with a permanent powercord (battery died long ago) for this now, but it’s massive and overkill.
Out of my nerdiness, I’d like non-intel, but not required. Just something that can run Debian or Arch. I’d love FreeBSD, but never had a good portable experience with it.
Has anyone used a device this way and enjoyed it? I guess I’m weird that I want small and ergonomic, but not really “portable” in the traditional sense.
- bittercynic 4y agoAn older xps-13 would be good. Available for under $200. Debian and Arch both install easily and work very well on it, with the exception that you might need to replace the wifi card. With a little tuning you can easily get over 12 hours battery life. The battery is easy to replace. Ex: https://www.ebay.com/itm/295220146891 https://www.ebay.com/itm/295220146891
- cylinder714 4y agoI think somewhere on the Pocket Reform site they describe it as a "sofa PC," more comfortable to use than a regular laptop, more capable than an Android phone running Termux. I had an Averatec N1200, the smallest, lightest netbook made, and it ran OpenBSD without difficulty, so I'd recommend that over FreeBSD. I eventually gave it away because the Atom processor and two gigabytes of RAM and slow SSD became intolerably slow. The keyboard was also very cramped, so while I still LOVE the idea of tiny PCs and netbooks, I'm not sure they can ever be comfortable enough to use.