The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
1–10 of 79 posts
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#2Be sure to put those connectors through adequate stress testing. I’ve had several products that use a similar design (Garmin watch, Bluetooth headset) and I’ve been disappointed to find that the connector wears out with time.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#3Looks really cool, but I'll remain sceptic until it's launched and I see reviews. It stands and falls with the reliability and endurance of those connections, and that's not something we can see on a kickstarter.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#4Tangential: I'm looking for a handheld Linux computer that's the approximate size and shape of a GameBoy Advance SP, but with a QWERTY keyboard and wifi. The old Zipit Z-2 would've been perfect. All it needs to run is git and Emacs/org-mode.
It's a surprisingly hard form factor to shop for—anyone have any recommendations?
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#5Not sure why I would want a handheld computer. But I still need a phone (calling, SMS) occasionally. So I use that also for browsing and messaging, too. GNU/Linux would be a great plus. What are my realistic alternatives? Realistic meaning not a huge amount of work and/or unreliable/buggy system.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#6Tangential: I'm looking for a handheld Linux computer that's the approximate size and shape of a GameBoy Advance SP, but with a QWERTY keyboard and wifi. The old Zipit Z-2 would've been perfect. All it needs to run is git and Emacs/org-mode. It's a surprisingly hard form factor to shop for—anyone have any recommendations?
why not zipit z2 (if you can find it)? i remember the keyboard not being great but it was completely usable.
around the same time there was also ben nanonote, but the z2 is probably preferable to it.
not a lot of clamshells since then (and generally not enough pocket qwerty computers).
for something slightly larger, consider gemini pda or one of its succcessors, or a keyboard case for a phone, e.g. pinephone.
or a bit larger still (but the same 6" screen diagonal), you get an actual pc with gpd micropc.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#7Be sure to put those connectors through adequate stress testing. I’ve had several products that use a similar design (Garmin watch, Bluetooth headset) and I’ve been disappointed to find that the connector wears out with time.
Hear me out but... this could have been a high-speed serial interface instead, much less stressing. And a breakout board for when you want GPIO.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#8Tangential: I'm looking for a handheld Linux computer that's the approximate size and shape of a GameBoy Advance SP, but with a QWERTY keyboard and wifi. The old Zipit Z-2 would've been perfect. All it needs to run is git and Emacs/org-mode. It's a surprisingly hard form factor to shop for—anyone have any recommendations?
If you're willing to cave on the clamshell form factor, there's a bunch of neat stuff in the HackberryPi / Lilygo T-Deck space.
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#9Be sure to put those connectors through adequate stress testing. I’ve had several products that use a similar design (Garmin watch, Bluetooth headset) and I’ve been disappointed to find that the connector wears out with time.
Are pogo pins the gold standard for data across the most (dis)connect cycles? Could any hardware engineer chime in?
Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility
#10Not sure why I would want a handheld computer. But I still need a phone (calling, SMS) occasionally. So I use that also for browsing and messaging, too. GNU/Linux would be a great plus. What are my realistic alternatives? Realistic meaning not a huge amount of work and/or unreliable/buggy system.
If you just want calling, sms, browsing and messaging, and some amount of GNU/Linux, your main options are:
1) Any officially supported sailfish OS device ( https://shop.jolla.com/ - which includes their licensed and officially blessed version for older sony xperia services)
2) Any ubuntu touch supported devices: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/promoted/
Would be very stable... And good enough for daily use..
But honestly even degoogled Android on a well supported phone like Pixel + Termux is fairly good enough to use these days. I don't see the value of running desktop Linux software on these devices anymore...