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A small notebook for a system administrator

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Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#52
post #12
post #6

This feels like it's an unrealistic Christmas present list. By that I mean having a laptop with everything in this article would be absolutely amazing, but is it even possible to mass produce something like that, let alone even build the thing as a one-off? What would a more realistic sysadmin notebook look like?

Like a Macbook with a bag that has plenty of hubs and adapters and a Raspberry Pi in there just in case. Perhaps the middle ground would be a box with all the ports this design has that you can plug into a USB-C laptop or tablet.

The Surface has a "hub" but it's not nearly as powerful, and already in the $199 margin (Surface Dock).

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#53
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> which is about half a letter What oddly specific unit of measurement is this?

It's specific (US Letter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_(paper_size) ) - half of which is reasonaby close to A5, but I'm not sure why the "odd" qualifier.

Unless you know about the particulars of US paper sizes, it sounds like they mean 'half the length of a letter that you might write to someone' which does sound odd. What letter? What about? My letters may be one paragraph or three pages.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#54

Mostly reminds me of https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/The_Homer On a serious note, I mostly disagree about the small size. The author mentioned his preferred size being A5, which is about half a letter. Having to type commands on machine that just fits under your palms is painful. I'd rather have a large keyboard, large screen and a large battery. My current EDC setup is an X250 with a huge bag of adapter dongles, ca…

I guess it depends on how often you need to use the notebook standing besides some server while carrying the notebook in your hand. Or just move it around; take it out of the bag and put it back again..every day, sometimes multiple times.. Weight can start being annoying at some point.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#55
post #36

Not sure what I'll find to replace my T420 with classic keyboard when it dies. What laptops do T420 users migrate to that has a non-terrible keyboard? (I am not a big fan of the new Thinkpad keyboards) Can I put a t420 classic keyboard on a new-gen Thinkpad? Is it a good idea?

There are basically no laptops with good keyboards anymore. I've given up on trying to find one. Thinkpads have gone down the drain. Lenovo aren't even offering on-site support or extended warranty on all models anymore (even if you want to pay more!). They've gone from quality business models to, well, slightly better than garbage.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#57

> Such notebook is suitable for posting photos on Instagram, but not for work. There's something about that statement that put me off the entire article. Maybe the author truly is 3l337, but it just comes off as condescending. Plus, who uses a notebook for Instagram? The author managed to be simultaneously derisive and clueless.

Ditto. I instantly thought of a less successful and intelligent version of Gilfoyle from Silicon Valley.

Re: A small notebook for a system administrator

#58
Soooo, when is the kickstarter?

I have had so many countless sysadmins ask for a keyboard similar to that one (perhaps not the keyboard layout). I think the primary interests are:

serial port (yes, even today not having to carry a dongle is great)

ability to use kb/vid/mouse as a kb/vid/mouse for servers

multiple network connections

I would probably pitch into a kickstarter for that laptop.

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