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I love my GPD Micro PC

blog.danieljanus.pl

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Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#181

Post by marttt »

azinman2 wrote: post #178

Be careful with such a small keyboard. Taking notes in multi hour lectures with an Apple Newton keyboard gave me permanent RSI 20 years ago that I still have today.

I am using a Dell Mini 9 netbook daily for various reasons. Interestingly, its (cramped) keyboard causes no noticeable strain in my hands -- whereas I got carpal tunnel syndrome from heavy trackpoint usage on a beloved Thinkpad T42.

When using the Mini 9, my wrists are not on the palmrest: the keyboard is so small that my palms extend above its edge. So, the wrists are not relying on anything, I keep them "in the air" while typing. This appears to give the wrists constant movement and flexibility, thus resulting in less tension.

I suppose this wrist position must be closer to "correct ergonomics" as shown on e.g. this photo: https://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/...

The Mini is 8.9". Interestingly, with any bigger machine (even a 10" netbook), I cannot constantly keep palms "in the air" the same way. When the palmrest is bigger, I'm leaning on it, and can't help it.

I emphasize that this is anecdotal, though. I'm an end user; do not make ergonomics decisions based on what I say. It just seems to work for my body.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#182

Post by asddubs »

ekianjo wrote: post #139
Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For others in similar position as parent (i.e. in need for a hand held portable Linux computer) but couldn't buy a GPD device for various reasons(availability, cost, trust issues etc.); Then here are two recommendations which are just as good(or better?): 1. Buy a used smartphone with postmarketOS support[1]. I suggest Poco F1 if you want to make phone calls with it right away (or) Oneplus 6/6T if you can wait a bit…

> 1. Buy a used smartphone with postmarketOS support[1]. having an attached keyboard is the whole point though

the pinephone with the keyboard case is an option then

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#183

Post by msh »

hyperpallium2 wrote: post #70

Android tablet + termux + bluetooth keyboard is cheaper, and better performance in some ways... The only problem is Google slowly locking down and squeezing the life out of termux.

I have tried that with tablets. Its decent when you have a table to set it on, but sitting somewhere where you have to place it on your lap (train, bus, bench) the laptop formfactor works much much better.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#184

Post by msh »

mastazi wrote: post #86

I wanted to ask the HN community if anyone has tried this kind of handheld pc as a smartphone replacement. It doesn't have to have a sim card slot, my idea was to use a feature-phone with personal hotspot functionality in conjunction with a micro PC. my 2 fears: * despite feature phones normally having very long battery time, this is probably not the case when using personal hotspot - this problem could be eliminated…

I think the answer depends on what your goal is. Which smartphone tasks do the computer need to take over?

This was a pretty popular setup in some circles with ipads plus dumb phones for some time. If you google it you can find a lot of stories about it.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#185

Post by soneil »

pabs3 wrote: post #119
NikolaNovak wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

... Is that a trackpoint on it?? It's a "shut up and take my money" system for me; I've dream of a netbook/micropc with trackpoint and keyboard taking as much space as it can for about 12-13 years now. Thx!

Looks like a power button to me.

The GPD Pocket (1) which the commenter speaks of has a trackpoint. The GPD Micro (in the article) doesn't.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#186

Post by msh »

zcmack wrote: post #115

the keyboard is so small, why not just use your cell phone? yes your on screen keyboard is far from ideal but it has already built some muscle memory. typing on a tiny keyboard with a non-standard layout is just painful.

YMMV but I was using phones of this type https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/astro-slide with a slideout keboard for quite a while some years ago.

It was not that I could type faster (a swipe style onscreen keyboard is faster than all non full QWERTY keyboards IMHO) but that when I was writing a lot, long text or terminal command it was much more comfortable.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#187

Post by dm319 »

I've yearned for a small ARM device with a keyboard, since the Psions of old. He is right that there is something about having one of these devices in your pocket that is empowering. I was recently on holiday with poor reception in the countryside, when the kids were asleep I ended up playing around with a phone calculator (plus42) and a programming manual, and had a bit of fun with it.

On another note, I use UbuntuMATE for all my (big) devices. It's a great rock-solid distro.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#188

Post by dm319 »

dTal wrote: post #88

>this little thing has a soul Yes. This is how I feel. I love my Micro PC more than is probably healthy. It enables a qualitatively different relationship with computing. It's a special, special device. I'm so glad someone put some of my feelings into words, and that it made it to the front page. (also, it is sturdy as hell - I'm notoriously clumsy with my devices, and despite owning it for over a year and dropping i…

I don't have a microPC, but I've had a couple devices with soul. They've never been a regular phone or a laptop, but my old Psion 3a and Nokin N900 had it.

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#189

Post by nathanasmith »

RajT88 wrote: post #145
jqpabc123 wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about a slightly different approach? I just use a tablet --- supplemented by a compact foldable bluetooth keyboard with touchpad as needed ($30 on Amazon).

I haven't loved getting a shell / IDE running on my Android devices. I refuse to buy iOS, but if I could get some decent dev environment going for .Net Core or python, I'd buy an iPad. If you have a solution, I'm all ears. Otherwise, the dream of running my full work stack on a mobile device other than a desktop OS remains a pipe dream.

Have you looked at the Lenovo Duet Chrome OS tablet? I have one and it's great. Runs Linux and Android programs quite well, very portable (516 grams/1.14 pounds) an 11 inch screen, and battery life is great since it has an ARM processor. Comes with an attachable keyboard and kickstand in the box too.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/lenovo/lenovo-edu-chr...

Re: I love my GPD Micro PC

#190

Post by MezzoDelCammin »

Any chance of more details on "where" did You buy it for 300EUR?

Looking at Google Shopping results (location:Germany) right now and there seems to be no chance of getting it below ~450EUR, more like 500+EUR (when shipping is included).

Portability is nice, but I'm finding it hard to imagine a scenario where the small width/height would be the killer feature. For that kind of price I think there are much nicer options (ebay/used Thinkpad X for durability, or MS Surface for comparable portability). It's not quite as small, but still in the realm of "fits in my usual papers / notes folder" kind of portable. And with a reasonable CPU to boot...

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