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Comment by tsm | Hacker News Reader

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?

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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.

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/

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?

I don't know any more than that, vague recollections of people complaining about them on Reddit, and thought I would be remiss not to mention them.

GPD MicroPC is really neat. Still one of my favorite devices in the gadget drawer.

The Gemini build quality also left a lot to be desired. As well as the software. I liked the idea but I sold it in the end.

Updating the software is certainly a pain. I switched to Linux than went back to Android. Can't say I noticed any hardware defects other than the usual delicateness of mobile devices, but I am generally careful with my devices (the only person I know who doesn't fray Apple's inadequate cales...), so it hasn't mattered as much as the simple fact the Gemini doesn't have a lot of utility with my aging eyes. I really need at least 12".

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

It doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard, but you can repurpose an Anbernic RG35XXSP as a Linux device : https://github.com/MrJackSpade/RG35XXP-XFCE

My portable Org mode setup is read-only, and I'm very happy with it. I just copy the files from my desktop to ~/Documents/Notes on the Android device an us Orgro (Orgzly or Organice) to read them.

If I do need to record something on the go I make a voice note and update the Org mode file at home on the desktop. I then push to the phone with adb, or pull from the phone with scp in Termux.

why not zipit z2 (if you can find it)? i remember the keyboard not being great but it was completely usable.

around the same time there was also ben nanonote, but the z2 is probably preferable to it.

not a lot of clamshells since then (and generally not enough pocket qwerty computers).

for something slightly larger, consider gemini pda or one of its succcessors, or a keyboard case for a phone, e.g. pinephone.

or a bit larger still (but the same 6" screen diagonal), you get an actual pc with gpd micropc.

For a slightly larger, look at the uConsole from ClockworkPi. It is probably double the size and doesn't have the same form factor though.

If you're willing to cave on the clamshell form factor, there's a bunch of neat stuff in the HackberryPi / Lilygo T-Deck space.

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

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

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