Another clamshell that isn't

Even after all these years, they still don't get it. Built-in keyboard = foldable device. Make it a real handheld PC.

https://hackaday.com/2023/05/22/handheld-pc-looks-great/#comments

It is just so impractical. Terrible ergonomics, too big to carry, too awkward to enter data on and type. Who wants this?

@C:amie don't hold back, tell us what you really think

I agree entirely though, got to thumb type, cannot angle the screen when on a desk (propped up the keys would be impossible to use), screen always exposed to potential scratches and damage, too big for a pocket and those rubber keys look terrible

See!
... it's not just me

And good luck finding the Left Shift key.

Jake

I'm with @C:Amie on this one as well - Devices in this format just look like oversized Blackberries (with probably less usable keyboards). I can understand to a degree why so many of these projects end up looking like this - With my various attempts at building a HPC-type device, the screen hinges were by far the most time-consuming part of the design, and my earlier attempts quite failure-prone. You could fairly easily make the keyboard detachable though, and allow it to be mounted in various positions (and stowed covering the screen).

I can only imagine something like this being unwieldy to use in your hands, and causing neck strain if you tried to use it on a desk or other surface. It's a shame really as there's clearly some clever electronic engineering and PCB design that's gone into using a Raspberry Pi CM4 and integrating power management. My own devices were just assemblages of off-the-shelf modules internally, so much cruder.

I think what we really need is a collaboration between one person with the type of skills used on the internals of this device, and another with mechanical design experience for the casing - I can't imagine that's easy to coordinate though when you're talking about hobbyists working in their spare time. When time permits again I could perhaps try reaching out to someone who's designed something like this to see if they'd be amenable to lending me their boards / 'licensing' the designs for yet another prototype...

This form factor failed in the 80's on the Z88 and has many more times since. Those who don't learn from the past are destined to repeat it.
I have a Z88. It was conceptually ridiculous that they thought whole schools would go to digital desks on the thing. There is nothing like a "blended learning pedagogical specialist" to try and destroy kids lives by shoehorning technology into somewhere that it need not be. Or put more simply, inventing a use for something after the tech has already been created and pretending it's the next big thing while trying to set yourself up as the evangelist. *cough* crypto *cough* NFT, *cough* metaverse *cough* Windows 8... *has long inaudible coughing fit*

I think they need to hire you, Robert.



Reinventing old mistakes seems to be the latest thing, C:Amie.

Have you guys seen this? https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/raspberry-pi-game-boy-pieces-mechan... Looks pretty cool, not 100% sold on the keyboard layout. And slightly off topic but on topic as it has to do with the Pi, there was a guy who sold a HP Journada on eBay with a Pi inside. Could only find the picture: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/eK0AAOSwpQ1j~gm3/s-l500.jpg

Edit: The raspberry pi guy seems to be on Reddit "TCaschy". Here's a better picture: https://imgur.com/a/E2HU4pg

Would be something to try to smash a modern mini PC into an HP Journada. But I'd like to keep it looking as close to original as possible with the same screen.

Edited by HPC:Fan 2023-06-02 1:50 AM

The Penkesu (Japanese adaption of "Pen Case") looks nifty with the mechanical keyboard. There are build instructions etc. in that link.

For the franken-Jornada ... it would be neat to see an eink display. Maybe not a viable project.

Edited by AximUser 2023-06-02 8:13 PM

I kinda love this haha. Might need to pick up a Z88 of my own.

Wow, I never seen that eBay listing! Thanks for sharing.