It’s a long long time I’m looking for an inexpensive small laptop with long battery life and keyboard. So I can carry it everywhere to write notes, do ssh, or fix small bugs.

The experience I have with me 7" ebook reader says that under 10" is too small to work comfortably with text. Above 12" will be too big to carry. I think even 12" is too big.

I want it to run an open source OS like BSD or Linux. Unfortunately, age of netbooks are over. So I wonder what options I’ve got. As far as I have researched:

  • Pinebook. The advantage is that it is open source and I can repair it easily meself. The disadvantage is that I think 11.6" is a lil big. Not sure as I never had a laptop at this size to tell for sure. But it seems these devices are not available in Pine64 store anymore. Only Pinebook pro which is 14".
  • A chromebook. I am not very much sure about these. It seems I can install Linux at least on some of them. The advantages are that I can easily find one for cheap. The disadvantage seems to be that I won’t be able to repair them easily. I guess the important part is the eMMC and its failure means bye bye? If I could put them from uSD, this shouldn’t be a problem. The chromebooks with SSD seem too expensive.
  • Reboot an old netbook. Advantage is that I can easily find one. Probably I could make changes to the laptop to make it more modern and usable. Mainly, replace the original lithium battery with a new custom one, possibly lighter and longer lasting. I could also replace the charging circuit and port with a modern type C. However, I’m not sure if one of these will last long enough given that they are second hand.
  • A Windows tablet. I could get one of these with keyboard and install Linux on them. Haven’t researched much about them.

I also have found Chuwi minibooks. But their support said they are discontinued.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

  • MajesticTechie@feddit.uk
    1·
    6 hours ago

    A surface tablet can be booted with Linux.

    However I really don’t think a laptop is a bad decision. I myself run a 14" Lenovo ThinkPad: https://amzn.eu/d/09sY8lt1

    It’s honestly small and I use it as a “on call” machine when I leave the house. Thing is light so I barely notice it in my bag

    • Farooq@realbitcoin.cashOP
      1·
      6 hours ago

      I already have a 14". It’s too big for a portable device I would carry exactly everywhere. I use it as me home PC, till I get a real new one, as well as portable computer during travels.

      The thing is, a 14" laptop cannot be used in bus, train, waiting room, etc. Sometimes a thought or idea comes and I have to write it. Sometimes I have to write down the stuff other people talk about.