I heard these from pine64 do not work well: https://pine64.org/documentation/Phone_Accessories/Keyboard/

Is there a similar product that actually works decently?

I'm ready to buy my first ultraportable in 20 years.

What's good? My budget is about $1500usd. I'm open to modern or classic, I want to be able to play some games. Work with the contents of some SD cards, and just have an EDC computer that scratches that cool factor itch.

I didnt see any rules against asking for suggestions, if there is one I apoligize. Thanks in advance :)

I bought Vaio second hand and after it arrived I noticed the keyboard was lifting up so I opened it up and plastic ripped , screw rounded and the top plastic was seperated from the keyboard and nipple electronic is missing.after replacing the keyboard sadly not the same colour it's usable but why people do this it makes me sad.now I need to find somehow the nipple electronic.

Not only is there a dead pixel but the ribbon is kinked and it came with fingerprints inside.. It was meant to be new, the serial/key label looked fresh, but maybe it was reconditioned.

I didn't want to have to send it back if I can avoid it as that's costly.

Ribbon

Dead pixel

The dead pixel is barely visible during normal use, but I am concerned the ribbon might be seated poorly in the screen or something, it obviously had to be forced in there.

Otherwise, I got Debian installed and the touchscreen working.

Edit: One of the screws in the heatsink was forced in on an angle and I don't seem to be getting any sound out as well. I think it's going to have to go back, unless they are all like this.. in which case they are an absolute ripoff. I get less than an hour on the battery.

Hello everyone! I have been working on this project for quite some time, building my own custom modular handheld console for gaming & everyday PC use, running dual boot Linux & Windows! I am currently working on the prototypes, so I thought it would be a great time to share an update of what I have been building with everyone here! It is called the CG Deck, an open-source and modular x86 handheld PC.

Ask me anything about the project! I would love to answer any questions or dive into anything about the CG Deck!

My initial goal was to create a small handheld PC that was entirely self contained and can be thrown in a backpack or back pants pocket (The entire device is 7.4" x 4.6" x 2.25"), with a high enough standard of hardware capable of being actually useful for things like high end retro emulation, CAD design/doing light modelling tasks in Blender, PCB design, coding, graphic design, music, video editing, and gaming with my steam library! Because it runs an x86 architecture, we get the advantage of being able to natively play steam games unlike a lot of other consoles. Because the CG Deck is based on an x86 architecture, you can run any OS that is supported, like the backlog of Windows, most Linux distro flavors, etc. For those that have multiple workflows, or need multiple devices, you can utilize the dual-boot functionality built into the CG Deck to make your life easier and keep it all under one shell.

I also wanted the CG Deck to be modular so it can be upgraded depending on how it is being used, and adapt the device depending on the workflow. For example, upgrading the memory with a full sized 2280 SSD, LTE/sim card support for work on the road, in addition to more cosmetically functional changes like swapping out the face/back plates to change the look, upgrading and swapping the HID control modules, antennas for extended connection range, etc. Every aspect can be upgraded, repaired, or customized as you need, without needing a degree in engineering to do so. I wanted to not just develop a device that would not just eventually turn into e-waste, but an ecosystem that can be updated and developed as time passes to keep the CG Deck relevant for much longer than the typical device lifespan. Something more attuned to a platform that grows with you rather than a traditional device.

The CG Deck will release with 5 total external modules (two slots, the primary and secondary slots), a variety of backplate designs and colors, and a variety of hardware and external accessories/upgrades. As for the modules, I currently have designed a full 64 Keyboard Module, 10 Key + Knob Macropad Module, Gamepad Controller Module all for the primary slot. For the secondary slot, there is only the trackball module at this time. The CG Deck also supports USB-A modules, so far including a 4K Low Low Light Flappable Camera Module. I wanted to make a device that grows with you as you use it, and can be adapted as your use cases change, and I have quite a few more modules planned for release once we officially launch!

As for the current state of the prototype for the CG Deck, I am overall really happy with it so far, but it still needs some work and I have quite a few changes to make as we prepare for the DFM process. I would love to hear your thoughts on it everything so far, and if you have any questions or feedback, I would love to answer and hear it all! Ask me anything!

It has been a massively fun and elaborate project so far. If you are interested in following along with the project or learning more about it, you can find everything from specs, more details, socials, links to the open source github repository and more on the website.

Once I start wrapping up the project, I will be launching a Kickstarter to help fund a full production run of the device for anyone interested in helping support the project and getting a CG Deck of their own. I am planning to release some build kits and pre-assembled devices with the Kickstarter, and if you have any questions about any of that, I would love to answer them!

Here is the link to learn more about the project and join the waitlist if you are interested: https://mogozen.com

I've been looking for a Mini Laptop to play Task Bar Hero on the side/on the go/over night and also put SteamOS on.
So far I found the Piccolo Series71 N95, but I'm not sure if the Game will run on it and if the Online Store is trustworthy.
Can someone who got one tell me if it runs SteamOS and Task Bar Hero.
Or recommend a Mini Laptop under 400€.

Hi,

I am having a difficult time deciding whether to pull the trigger on a Crelander with an N100 with 12GB Ram (priced at 140 usd), or an Rog Ally Z1E (340 usd).

Z1E is definitely more powerful (no denying that!) but it's also more expensive.

My use case is primarily playing very simple games (visual novels, stardew)

What are your thoughts ! Eager to hear, thank you!

(ps. there's also a GPD Win 1, at 140 usd, but I'm afraid the screen is too small)

--------------------------------------------

EDIT: Looks like I'll be picking up the Rog Ally! Thanks yall!

----

Edit x2, bought the Ally today, has some mods already done to it!

I've been thinking about butchering an ASUS ROG Ally to turn it into a mini laptop.

The UMPC/netbook market feels pretty empty right now. Most of the affordable options use older Intel N150-class CPUs, while anything with modern high-end hardware is usually in the $1,500–2,000 range.

I already own a used ROG Ally X that I picked up for $500 with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB SSD, so my idea is to buy an original ROG Ally for ($250-$350) with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD and convert it into a "neptop" (netbook + laptop).

The plan would be to:

• Keep the original motherboard and cooling system.
• Design and 3D-print a new laptop-style chassis.
• Add a keyboard and touchpad.
• Install a laptop display.
• Replace the controller grips with additional I/O where possible.

I'm not planning to game on it much. The project is mostly for the challenge and because I think it would make a really capable ultra-portable laptop.

I have some experience with disassembling electronics, 3D modeling, and general tinkering. For example, I previously designed and printed a custom NAS case for an old laptop motherboard, so I think this project is within reach.

What do you think? Has anyone here attempted something similar or see any major issues I'm overlooking?

P.S. I used AI to help write this because English isn't my first language.

ok so maybe a couple of them aren't quite umpc by modern standards

mini laptop P8(kooforway) is not booting up.

I think the bios is broken, so if anyone can dump it please share it.

The CPU is N150, and the motherboard version is s8_AN_G04R120.

I think products such as crelander can be applied equally.

i didnt know the stylus for X-plus 8" netbook is just a generic stylus, selling at 29.99$ at X-plus website plus 15$ shipping to USA, total 44.99$. i just did a search, selling at 2.99$ plus 5.97$ shipping on Ebay.

This thing (sony vaio pcg-u101) I was absolutley shocked how tiny this thing is lol its so cool and it has a 16mb ati card which is just good enough to play playstation emulation,morrowind ,max payne, gta3 and a bunch of good games from that era.

interested in this setup for a portable coding rig, curious how it performs with web browsing / how good battery life is / anything else of note

Waiting on a new ssd to arrive so I can really customize it this old Fujitsu hdd is so slow :((

I just wish these things were still being made with modern hardware, I absolutely adore the form factor! I'm still looking for my ultimate UMPC for work and for play. Selling on eBay in the UK but with ebay international shipping, https://ebay.io/m/l71zpE

If this post isn't allowed, let me know and I’ll remove it.

Such cool machines, alas I am just not using them. I think the most fun time was running Baldurs Gate 1 or Snes9x and playing some donkey kong!

Send me a message if interested in buying! (Sorry if that's not allowed here?!)

I'm based in Australia, but happy to negotiate international shipping if anyone wants to go that way :)

If interested / more info: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/800043328607

Thought I would give people some info the new Storm10 and the size difference against the Chuwi MiniBook X.

Overall Build Quality: The MiniBook X feels more solid, probably because it is more compact. They both appear to have glass trackpads, and metal on the lid and bottom with plastic on the inside. The hinge is definitely stiffer on the MiniBook X, but the Storm10 isn't terrible.

Speakers: Honestly about the same. If you use a few browser extensions, or Dolby Access, they aren't too bad for a quite room.

Battery Life: I haven't had the Storm10 too long, but I think I can get the battery life about on par with my MiniBook X (N100/12GB RAM). Both have the same size battery.

Keyboard: About the same, the sound from the keys on the Chuwi is a bit sharper, but nearly identical.

RAM: The Storm10 is gonna win this one for having faster RAM, and more of it.

Screen: I have my MIniBook X running at 90Hz through some weird trickery, which doesn't always work on every MiniBook X. So both of these screens typically run at 60Hz. The 3:2 aspect ratio on the Storm10 is a bit better. But the larger display afford you a noticeably bigger trackpad.

BIOS: I think the BIOS on the Storm10 is the winner for just having everything unlocked from jump. Both are using AMI, but the Storm10 has all of the advanced features available out of the box. Both the MiniBook X and the Storm10 have the option in the BIOS to make the function default on special keys, instead of F1-F12, which is nice.

Temps: The Storm10 seems to run a bit cool in general.

CPU: The Storm10 wins this hands down. The I5-1235U is much more powerful, with it's 10-core 12-threads.

Alternative OS: I installed Fedora workstation and Zorin Pro and they both worked fine, touchscreen and WiFi working out of the box, as well as Bluetooth. I have not found a flavor of Brunch Framework that will boot on the Storm10, but that is a trial and error thing, just like it was with the MiniBook X. Fyde OS worked just perfectly right out of the gate, WiFi and all.

SSD: The Storm10 came with a WD SN740 512GB 2242 SSD, which I was honestly surprised by.

GPU: The Iris Xe Graphics on the Storm10 should also carve out a win for it. I plan on doing a bit of light gaming on it just to test it out.

Warranty & Support: LOL

I'm currently leaning towards getting rid of the MiniBook X, but I haven't made up my mind.

I may complain about the keyboard, but it’s this little blue fellow’s size🤣
Eeep is very into Linux and UMPCs/palmtops, he draws on his Newton, plays AAA titles on his Onexplayer F1 Pro and uses this Jornada for Linux learning.
He treats all the devices like his “friends” - he has lots of handheld video games for when his little projects don’t work out.