Earlier quoted context omitted.
If your goal is a portable SSH client, even an original iPad mini with a bluetooth keyboard would be a better option than this thing.
uhnn no? Where is the serial ports etc
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A small notebook for a system administrator
181–190 of 274 posts
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#182Isn't small or light, but Getac ruggedized laptops seem to cover the high number of ports requirement: https://thecomputermarket.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/... And, there's more ports on the sides too.
Isn't it too expensive and heavy for daily tasks? If your work needs carry it around DC or similar, the rugged laptop is overkill.
"Isn't it too expensive and heavy for daily tasks?"
At my job, we're carting 50+ lb solar panels around every other minute, by hand. All of us here right now are just in fits of giggling at the thought of any laptop being too heavy to carry around all day.
To quote my Lay-up lead: "Si piensan que llevar una computadora portátil todo el día es un dolor, ¡deberían tratar de cargar a un niño durante 9 meses!"
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#183It seems like this would be better as two laptops: An ultra-compact for carrying in your pocket, and a bigger one with tons of accessories that you carry in a Pelican for work in the field.
If you are climbing a mast or the like, you are probably out in the field with a kit. You probably don't need a laptop that can fit in your coat pocket. You probably want various cables and dongles and mounting brackets for tripod or pipe mount, etc...
For on-call, I'd be tempted to just use my phone. I can set up Android with SSH and VPN, I can use a bluetooth keyboard if I need to type a lot, or if I just need to get in and run some commands to investigate, I can use the on screen keyboard.
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#184Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's all about the latest kernel. I installed Bodhi (Ubuntu derivative, not a fan). Then I added Ubuntu repos and promptly picked everything else up to latest. Admittedly I have a script to allow screen rotation to be gangster, and to pop up a virtual keyboard when I rip off the Surface KB (and hide it when reattached). I consider that 100% working.
> I have a script to allow screen rotation to be gangster What does that mean? You need to use a script to get it to rotate?
Correct. On login I run a python script that polls the accelerometer. For the virtual keyboard I equally poll the HIDS devices. Quick bit of python, life went on.
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get ~5 hours which is beyond more than enough for my needs. I also keep power adapters. Honestly, I've never understood the obsession with long battery life on a laptop. It's significantly lighter to carry the adapter (super light on a surface) than have an extended battery, and either way you have a knapsack/laptop bag. Also - other than this one coffee shop I'm not a fan of, there's always power nearby.
Yeah that really depends on where/what you are doing. I spend a large amount of time in airplanes, a lot of which (as I don't fly business) have no charging sockets. Then in places where I go, for instance in HK, it is actually really rare to find sockets in coffee shops or bars.
That totally makes sense to me. It's the same reason I hard relied on the air years ago - the 9 hours just about covered the majority of the exact same need. Tradeoffs.
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#186This is SUCH a niche system, that I don't understand why carrying adapter is a bad thing. There are already laptops that kinda fit his keyboard/pointer/size requirements.
- His "video subsystem" idea already has a solution for many years. KVM2USB. https://www.epiphan.com/products/kvm2usb-3-0/
- His "let me turn this into a boot device" also has a solution. Many virtual cd rom devices exist, for example https://www.amazon.com/Iodd-Iodd2531-Black-Virtual-Enclosure...
If you're in such a niche requirements.. either you pay a ton ( military laptops), or you're ok with adapters :)
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nothing about that comment says anything to support your arbitrary narrowing of the device purpose.
Well, it does, and my comment does start with IF your goal is... . If your goal IS NOT that, then clearly what I suggested isn't going to be applicable is it?
Indeed, it did seem totally inapplicable to the thread.
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#188Get a Surface Go with LTE (or if you need TPM a Surface Pro). Then get a small bag of usb-a dongles for your needs.
For the head unit issue, something like https://www.epiphan.com/products/kvm2usb-3-0/ could work.
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#189> 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.
The designer made Tab the smallest key on the keyboard, but left two Windows keys, Caps Lock instead of control/super, a full Fn row instead of an numrow layer, Page Up/Down right next to the arrow keys, and designed the color-coding for someone who looks at the keyboard for each keypress instead of touch-typing. I'm not sure what they consider Real Work to be, but it's not text editing or writing.
I'd recommend that the author look at small mechanical keyboard layouts, like the HHKB [1].
[1] https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server1800/3cc7b/products/549/i...
Re: A small notebook for a system administrator
#190I submitted this link for the new Pinebook Pro which was released a couple of days ago. It didn't get much traction but here goes: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19038420 It doesn't have the crazy keyboard or "sunshade", but it's fairly similar in other ways and only costs $199 so I guess you have money left over to drill extra holes for indicators and extra external ports.
HN has discussed Pinebooks over the years, but I too was hoping for some discussion about the recent announcements.