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The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

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Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#81

Post by drdaeman »

ekianjo wrote: post #48
lostmsu wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's Lineage OS

Do you still have to download their builds on shady servers?

Build yourself, using your own signing keys and your own patches (if you need any - I do).

There are various Docker images with everything necessary in the Dockerfile and user needs to only specify the device's model name (and any extra options, like build type).

Takes some time but the only thing one needs to trust is the source code (which is nearly impossible to fully audit, though)

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#82

Post by morganvachon »

qubex wrote: post #71
ansible wrote: post #42

I used to be sort of obsessed with some kind of handheld Linux machine. Devices I've had included: HP 200 LX with 40MB PCMCIA storage. Tried to run a cut-down 16-bit version of Linux on it, but I don't think I ever got that running properly. Original Sharp Zaurus, the first Linux PDA. Tried to run Linux on a Compaq iPaq at some point too. Asus EEE PC 401 with the 7in screen and 4GB of storage. The first of the netboo…

Like you, I have an almost obsession-level fascination with Linux on palmtops. I think I can trace it all the way back to seeing a young John Connor ‘hack’ an ATM or something in the watershed Terminator 2 movie when I was a kid. Like you I've had an HP 200LX (the closest I've come to Connor's pocket Atari-or-whatever), a Compaq iPaq, a PSION Series 7 ‘netbook’, and (most recently, not Linux-related) an Apple eMate 3…

Joining the club, I've had the same obsession with portables. The first portable device I tried to shoehorn Linux onto was a Fujitsu Stylistic 2300 from the late '90s (attempt made in 2001). From there I tinkered with the Sharp Zaurus series, the HP palmtops, and the Netpliance iOpener "web appliance", which I had running Slackware Linux. I carried that contraption to college and used it as a demonstration of the power of Linux to my NA instructor's delight.

I always wanted the eMate 300 having never owned a Newton. I also was a PalmOS fanatic from about 1999 through the late 2000s, with my first "smartphone" a Treo 650 after having owned over a dozen Palm devices previously.

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#83

Post by mycall »

mintplant wrote: post #80
primitur wrote: post #3

I have pretty much every Linux handheld ever made, and my original First Batch Open Pandora is still the one I go to for my casual gaming needs. The reason is that the community around this device continues to produce absolute gems for the machine, as can be witnessed in what would have to be one of the most underrated app-store/repo's around: http://repo.openpandora.org My next-favourite device is the GPD Pocket. It…

The GPD Win 2 is taking preorders right now. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gpd-win-2-handheld-game-c...

27% off too

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#84

Post by mycall »

slantyyz wrote: post #76
stuaxo wrote: post #32

I've got the GPD pocket, haven't had much time to use it because of a baby being around (she's pretty interested in it though). i wish the keyboard was better, I would probably use it more if it was.

I have the GPD Win 1 (Windows only) and while it's a pretty good pocket computer, I'm reluctant to ever buy another product from them because the support is lacking at best. Several users have had batteries swell, and GPD has not provided any avenue for these users to get replacements. Some members of the community have stepped up, but the batteries are subject to shipping rules, so people in some countries are still…

Isn't a battery a battery? Anything that fits, with the right pin outs, works?

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#85

Post by PopePompous »

chx wrote: post #17

You can put a Linux in a chroot on most (? all?) Android devices , even non rooted https://www.xda-developers.com/guide-installing-and-running-... and the Moto Z family has a landscape keyboard upcoming https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/physical-keyboard-mod-for... so that should be a contender too, I feel.

GNURoot Debian is broken in Android Oreo, and nobody seems to be in any hurry to fix that. Termux still works well, though.

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#86

Post by slantyyz »

mycall wrote: post #84
slantyyz wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have the GPD Win 1 (Windows only) and while it's a pretty good pocket computer, I'm reluctant to ever buy another product from them because the support is lacking at best. Several users have had batteries swell, and GPD has not provided any avenue for these users to get replacements. Some members of the community have stepped up, but the batteries are subject to shipping rules, so people in some countries are still…

Isn't a battery a battery? Anything that fits, with the right pin outs, works?

No. Without getting into too much detail (the /r/gpdwin subreddit can provide more info), the battery has to be a specific voltage, high drain and a specific size because the chassis has very little room in it. There are knockoffs of the battery on AliExpress, but people who have bought them have reported having all sorts of problem with them.

The unit also won't work without a battery on AC power only, because it looks like it was made with pre-existing tablet guts in that it only gets power from the battery irrespective of whether it's charging or not.

And given that the OEM batteries are subject to expansion, there's no reason to think that an OEM replacements wouldn't either.

FWIW, the GPD Win 2 doesn't have these issues, because it has a different design.

Re: The world of Linux Handhelds in 2018

#88

Post by dhimes »

ansible wrote: post #42

I used to be sort of obsessed with some kind of handheld Linux machine. Devices I've had included: HP 200 LX with 40MB PCMCIA storage. Tried to run a cut-down 16-bit version of Linux on it, but I don't think I ever got that running properly. Original Sharp Zaurus, the first Linux PDA. Tried to run Linux on a Compaq iPaq at some point too. Asus EEE PC 401 with the 7in screen and 4GB of storage. The first of the netboo…

I loved my asus eeepc even though I only had one GB. Had a full LAMP stack and it was great for airplane rides. I miss it- and wish there was something comparable today.
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