Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

They do not upgrade the RAM because of this reason... They want to keep their schedule.
So I'm curious what will happen next.

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

Usually (this refers to Baytrail and its ilk)

1. Screen resolution is hopelessly indecipherable
2. Wifi not found (needs a lockpicking activation signal)
3. Crapacitive Touch configuration nightmare
4. anything and everything else hardware is nonexistium
   if it can even be detected (detection being 90% of ATOM issues)

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

In regards to using an android phone to run a linux distribution via chroot this was my best attempt. In 2013 I had a galaxy note 2 and used linux on android app to chroot ubuntu. I had flashed a galaxy tab app launcher so that I could access all android apps, including phone and browser from the bottom of the screen while using ubuntu. It actually wasn't that bad. All android apps could open in a floating resizable window. I had a bluetooth keyboard that could be attached like a clamshell if needed. Here are some pictures.

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

Well, "to keep their schedule", they are now adding a fan, redesigning the chassis (making it larger), changing the battery model and form factor, removing the stereo speakers, ... just 3 months before the shipping date.

I find myself in a "I want to believe" situation, but it really looks like yet another Indiegogo vaporware campaign.


A similar "microPC" project I was also following has recently bitten the dust: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects.../posts/1637693

But, to be honest, those guys were much more vaporware-ish than GPD. I mean, they even promised "color eink screen"...

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

In fact, this approach just keeps looking better and better. I've seen Note 4s (the most recent ones still with replaceable battery) for ~300ish euros. And I could really use a stylus...

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

Currently, this is the best option for me. One draw back is that sound does not work, or at least it never was known to work well using Linux on Android app. So if I want to watch (and hear!) a video I use an android player. Maybe someone can improve that. Regardless, I've found having the full linux distribution on my phone quite useful at times. Although, the android document reader apps are getting better, I still on occasion use libre office as it can give better renders of documents. Especially those with equations. Simple utilities like convert often come in handy. The other thing is you can connect to bigger screen via hdmi so you have a full computer. While playing around on my Note Edge I noticed I can actually treat my linux distribution as a virtual machine. In this screenshot below I have fedora running in a window I can open and close or minimize!
Samsung has done a great job with its stylus. Really comes in handy in many ways. Can use to cut and paste and even convert handwriting to text.

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

Don't underestimate GPD... :)

About PGS: yes, they are 100% scammers

(Where is Dave999 when you need him?!)

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

This is, at least for me, literally the only remaining benefit Sailfish OS has over Android.

That because Sailfish OS uses many of the same components used by desktop GNU/Linux, communication between the chroot and the host is trivial. Not only audio; but also D-Bus, process/user/network management, etc. E.g. I have the ability to configure networks from the chroot, including complicated setups such as NAT from Wi-fi to USB, or to place phone calls from the chroot, send SMS, interact with the notifications, etc.

While _any_ of these is possible with a chroot under Android, it becomes much harder.

For example, I'm sure that it is possible to write a Pulseaudio service in Android, so that you can have audio from the chroot, but a) it is much harder b) it will suck (e.g. latency, mapping of features, etc.).


Sadly, SailfishOS could also be much better in this regard. For example, Wayland is, at this point, an annoyance more than anything.

I've installed x2go on my Gentoo chroot, and I have to say it's a good experience to be able to have a "known-good" Gentoo desktop in any computer I plug my Jolla in. HDMI and USB-host would be icing on the cake...

(Not exactly, since you can't hibernate it, and I'm not sure if Android has swap enabled?)


:envy: It is very tempting. In fact that's one the very few things I'd swap the hw keyboard on the Jolla 1 for.

I've spent more than 150eur in various capacitive stylii and my overall impression is that they all suck, except for Apple's one.

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

GPD Win running Ubuntu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsNZk0ydqeQ

Edit: although it could be running in a VM... notice the bar at the top on 0:05

Re: What's the best Handheld gnu/linux machine for 2016?
 

Yep, vmware. Doesn't even prove if Intel VT-x is BIOS-unlocked. Useless.