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Comment by RickS | Hacker News Reader

Disappointing to see that the keyboard layout is so nasty. Does anybody have a favorite laptop that's netbook size (<=13") with a focus on writing?

It seems the perfect "write comfortably on train, so light you forget you have it" device remains unsolved.

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A ThinkPad x1 14" model weighs the same as the Pinebook, and is roughly similar in size. Even an older model x1 would run circles around a Pinebook in most every respect. ThinkPad x2x0 models weigh in heftier, but generally can be found at prices aren't much higher than a Pinebook. For heavy typing there's practically nothing to recommend but ThinkPads.

I have a first gen X1 carbon that I recently purchased on ebay for a little less than $200 and I haven't ran into any hiccups with general usage on W10. The keyboard is really nice, but I don't think as nice as the keyboard on the x200/220, but better than the x230 from when I remember using one.

If you have $200 to spend I think the 1st gen x1 is easily the best ultraportable for the buck.

I have a couple years old Dell XPS 13 and it's small, light, and has really good battery life. Coincidentally the only thing I'm not a fan of is the keyboard, though I'm not sure how it compares to other laptops of equal flatness.

Anyway I really enjoy using it. If I'd have to buy a new laptop again today I'd probably just buy another XPS.

The keyboard on my xps really is terrible. Great laptop in every other way

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