dbalan/blogng
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

Update draft

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
Dhananjay Balan 2024-01-21 15:32:01 +01:00
parent f2ca0a325e
commit 48938fa42b
1 changed files with 19 additions and 15 deletions
Show Stats Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

34
blog/2024-01-18-cyberdecks-(but-portable).markdown
View File

@ -1,29 +1,33 @@
--- ---
layout: post layout: post
title: "Cyberdecks (but portable)" title: "Portable computing"
date: 2024-01-18 date: 2024-01-18
comments: true comments: true
tags: cyberdeck, computing, iphone tags: cyberdeck, computing, iphone
--- ---
I use my phone a lot, most of it for reading on the go. I also hate to do I use my phone a lot. Its the best for consuming media on the go sort of things, like reading, watching videos etc. Always on, always connected, ready to whip out in a moments notice!
anything else with my phone. I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about
why, but now I think I've a lead.
I **HATE** typing on my phone. It takes too long and often filled with typos. I also hate using my phone for anything else: for a long time the reasons have eluded me, but this time I have a lead -- I **hate** typing on the phone.
This makes sense, I adore my phone for consuming media, reading, watching Obviously there are more fundamental problems here than those solved by [strapping on a keyboard](https://www.clicks.tech/)[^1], explained so well by none other than Doug Engelbert[^2]
(short) videos, mastodon. But hate doing anything else, because well ... typing.
I don't think its a problem that can be solved by [strapping a keyboard to the > Englebart used to compare the sleek, simplified Apple products to a tricycle. You don’t need any special training to operate a tricycle, and that’s fine if you’re just going to go around the block. If you’re trying to go up a hill or go a long distance, you want a real bike. The kind with gears and brakes– the kind that takes time to learn how to steer and balance on.
phone](https://www.clicks.tech/) but I'd certainly try when its available for my
phone.
I recently had a chance to try the [mnt pocket > The consumer market prioritizes simple and “user-friendly” devices over more complex and “learnable” devices.
reform](https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/pocket-reform), its a fully open source
small form factor computer with a compact mechanical keyboard. This definitly got
me restarted thinking about on-the go computing.
## Cyberdeck Recently, I got to try a [pocket reform](https://mntre.com/media/reform_md/2022-06-20-introducing-mnt-pocket-reform.html) by mnt research. For the uninitiated, its a 7" pocket sized (arguably, depending on what kind of pockets you have) computer. It is a nifty little device with a lot of cool factor, including a compact mechanical keyboard and more or less running blob free software stack!
This got me thinking: *Is it worthwhile to compromise extreme portability to gain learnability and configuration?*
A device like pocket reform is not going to be as good as my phone for quickly reading through my reading list, at least not out of the box. Would I still prefer to stick with my phone? Obviously the answer is going to personal and subjective, but I believe its worthwhile to try!
Pocket reforms are currently only sold through the crown supply store in US, so I decided to wait until MNT starts selling them from their EU store, and spent the waiting time maybe hacking alternatives a bit -- Can I strap a [Blackberry Keyboard](https://www.solder.party/docs/bbq20kbd/) to my phone? [Running mainline linux](https://postmarketos.org/) with the stack you are used to seems fun etc etc. Honestly, I needed some deliberation before dropping a cool grand on an experiment.
Also, after going through bit of internet searching, the options are not as limited as I thought; there are bunch of manufactures trying to make devices in this form factor: GPD seems to be the most popular, there are [also no-name products](https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-pocket-laptop.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.search.0) with [at least one very happy HN reader](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39013008).
This rabbit hole also led me the discovering **"Cyberdecks"**. I have not read Neuromancer so I don't know what makes a something a cyberdeck; but the community seems to be building some of the coolest portable computing out there. Definitely check it out if you were living under a rock like me!
[^1]: Don't necessarily like their made for creatives branding but probably will get one when it is available for my phone.
[^2]: This is from a [99% invisible](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/of-mice-and-men/) episode that I cannot recommend enough, I couldn't find the original quote, but I have seen multiple people reference this.