4 ms·

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sun

by dv35z 11mo ago

I am hoping that someone (maybe me!) will make a "write/program in the sun"-friendly e-ink Linux computer, A5 sized. Use cases: Patio bars in Austin Texas, sunny Medellin Colombia, outside plaza cafes in Barcelona. Thank you!

michalf6 11mo ago
Not a Linux machine, but 14 and 16 inch MBPs with something like the Vivid app do really well in sunlight in light mode. I enjoy working outside on mine.
Xss3 11mo ago
The refresh rate on e ink makes them awkward for coding. Scrolling through a text file or terminal window. Browsing files. Etc. Web dev would be very cumbersome. Everything gets slowed by it. Even typing fluently feels rough at less than 1Hz. We need a biiiiig improvement in e ink displays before any products like what you describe could be good.
- backscratches 11mo ago
  Practically all recent (last 6 years) eink can play video passably. Text editing not an issue.
- dv35z 11mo ago
  I saw a friend's 2-year old e-ink Boox reader - it changed my thoughts about eInk. The refresh rate was quick, and he could draw using a stylus. Definitely seemed responsive enough for writing/programming...
cryzinger 11mo ago
AFAIK no one's figured out how to get Linux on it yet, but the Daylight Computer otherwise fits that ticket for me. I have mine set up with a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a no-name tablet stand :) The benefit I think people don't understand about these low-fi writing setups is that it's much harder to _idly goof off_. There are times where I truly want to read or write, but if I'm on a computer it's too easy for muscle memory to kick in and start typing one of many distracting URLs into the address bar. My tablet is a much more constrained experience, and the screen is monochrome; last time I sat down to write on it, I actually had Google Docs open for three or four hours straight.
- kstrauser 11mo ago
  That’s exactly my experience, albeit with a Supernote tablet instead. I wanted it specifically because it can’t do anything not related to me entering words into it.
sleepybrett 11mo ago
remarkable + bt keyboard
backscratches 11mo ago
I get serious mileage out of an eink monitor, my phone, and a small dock for keyboard/power.
bitwize 11mo ago
Expensive: Daylight Computer. Less expensive: PineNote. Pair with a Bluetooth keyboard.
- floren 11mo ago
  > Less expensive: PineNote. Well, tariffs have changed that calculation lately...
  - bitwize 11mo ago
    The latest USD-denominated list prices I could find for the PineNote still put it at a few hundred less than the Daylight.
- dv35z 11mo ago
  Meant to mention in my requirements: No Bluetooth! :)
  - bitwize 11mo ago
    Then connect a wired keyboard through the USB-C adapter.

by dv35z 11mo ago

michalf6 11mo ago

Not a Linux machine, but 14 and 16 inch MBPs with something like the Vivid app do really well in sunlight in light mode. I enjoy working outside on mine.

Xss3 11mo ago

The refresh rate on e ink makes them awkward for coding. Scrolling through a text file or terminal window. Browsing files. Etc. Web dev would be very cumbersome. Everything gets slowed by it. Even typing fluently feels rough at less than 1Hz. We need a biiiiig improvement in e ink displays before any products like what you describe could be good.

backscratches 11mo ago
Practically all recent (last 6 years) eink can play video passably. Text editing not an issue.
dv35z 11mo ago
I saw a friend's 2-year old e-ink Boox reader - it changed my thoughts about eInk. The refresh rate was quick, and he could draw using a stylus. Definitely seemed responsive enough for writing/programming...

cryzinger 11mo ago

AFAIK no one's figured out how to get Linux on it yet, but the Daylight Computer otherwise fits that ticket for me. I have mine set up with a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and a no-name tablet stand :) The benefit I think people don't understand about these low-fi writing setups is that it's much harder to _idly goof off_. There are times where I truly want to read or write, but if I'm on a computer it's too easy for muscle memory to kick in and start typing one of many distracting URLs into the address bar. My tablet is a much more constrained experience, and the screen is monochrome; last time I sat down to write on it, I actually had Google Docs open for three or four hours straight.

kstrauser 11mo ago
That’s exactly my experience, albeit with a Supernote tablet instead. I wanted it specifically because it can’t do anything not related to me entering words into it.

sleepybrett 11mo ago

remarkable + bt keyboard

backscratches 11mo ago

I get serious mileage out of an eink monitor, my phone, and a small dock for keyboard/power.

bitwize 11mo ago

Expensive: Daylight Computer. Less expensive: PineNote. Pair with a Bluetooth keyboard.

floren 11mo ago
> Less expensive: PineNote. Well, tariffs have changed that calculation lately...
- bitwize 11mo ago
  The latest USD-denominated list prices I could find for the PineNote still put it at a few hundred less than the Daylight.
dv35z 11mo ago
Meant to mention in my requirements: No Bluetooth! :)
- bitwize 11mo ago
  Then connect a wired keyboard through the USB-C adapter.