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Another clamshell that isn't

CE Geek Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 6:26 AM
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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
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C:Amie Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 8:13 AM
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It is just so impractical. Terrible ergonomics, too big to carry, too awkward to enter data on and type. Who wants this?
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fantablium Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 8:27 AM
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@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
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C:Amie Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 2:32 PM
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See!
... it's not just me
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Jake Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 5:22 PM
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And good luck finding the Left Shift key.

Jake
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robertojones Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 10:30 PM
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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...
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C:Amie Page Icon Posted 2023-05-31 10:38 PM
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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*
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CE Geek Page Icon Posted 2023-06-01 6:33 AM
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robertojones - 2023-05-31 2:30 PM


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..


I think they need to hire you, Robert.

C:Amie - 2023-05-31 2:38 PM


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*


Reinventing old mistakes seems to be the latest thing, C:Amie.
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HPC:Fan Page Icon Posted 2023-06-02 1:44 AM
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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
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AximUser Page Icon Posted 2023-06-02 8:08 PM
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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
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Salty-GB Page Icon Posted 2023-06-02 11:10 PM
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C:Amie - 2023-06-01 7:38 AM


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 kinda love this haha. Might need to pick up a Z88 of my own.
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stingraze Page Icon Posted 2023-06-03 8:21 AM
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HPC:Fan - 2023-06-02 10:44 AM


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.


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