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The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

mecha.so

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Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#11

Post by fmajid »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

I have a Planet Computers Gemini, which is a reinterpretation of the Psion Series 5, running Android but you can also install Linux. They have new models since, but I've heard reports the company is not honoring orders, so caveat emptor.

Another option would be one of the GPD Pocket mini-laptops, they actually ship with Ubuntu. I'd gotten one of the older models, but the screen was just too small for my tired eyes: https://www.gpd.hk/gpdpocket/

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#12

Post by user_7832 »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

I’d also love to find out, I’m also on the lookout for a similar device. What I have found are SBCs on r/SBCgaming offering rock chip ARM Linux devices for under $50-100. Iirc http://retrocatalog.com/ is good for searching.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#14

Post by arbitrandomuser »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

would a steamdeck with one of those mini external keyboards do the job ?

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#15

Post by eadmund »

fmajid wrote: post #11
tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

I have a Planet Computers Gemini, which is a reinterpretation of the Psion Series 5, running Android but you can also install Linux. They have new models since, but I've heard reports the company is not honoring orders, so caveat emptor. Another option would be one of the GPD Pocket mini-laptops, they actually ship with Ubuntu. I'd gotten one of the older models, but the screen was just too small for my tired eyes: h…

The Gemini looks really neat, but is there any way to generate a Super key event with that keyboard?

> I've heard reports the company is not honoring orders

Due to the Christmas sale, or in general?

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#16

Post by globular-toast »

rickcarlino wrote: post #2

Be 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.

On Garmin watches the springy mechanical part is on the cable, not the watch. Have you observed the watch itself wearing out? I would hope it's designed such that the cable is sacrificial and the watch lasts. In the product here the springs appear to be on the device side, which seems to me like the bit that would be more likely to wear out. That's concerning, but there's more chance of being to able to replace it than in something tiny like a watch.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#17

Post by btbuildem »

rickcarlino wrote: post #2

Be 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.

It's almost as if the connector itself should be a swappable part - every 100,000 cycles or so you get a new one.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#18

Post by lantry »

btbuildem wrote: post #17
rickcarlino wrote: post #2

Be 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.

It's almost as if the connector itself should be a swappable part - every 100,000 cycles or so you get a new one.

who will connect the connectors?

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#19

Post by catern »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

Emacs 30 has a native graphical port to Android, maybe you can just use that on any Android device.

Re: The Comet is a handheld Linux computer that brings extensibility

#20

Post by trescenzi »

tsm wrote: post #4

Tangential: 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?

I’ve been looking for this too. I could replace basically all my laptop computing with something low powered that sshed into a server. So far I’ve found:

https://github.com/ByteWelder/Decktility https://www.clockworkpi.com/ https://soulscircuit.com/pilet

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