Technology @ LIVE SMALL BAG

The Perfect Portable PC

The best computer you have is the one that's always on you

If I have to carry around a backpack to keep up with my computer things what is the point? Smartphones are slowly blurring the definition of what a personal computer is, but most interfaces for text entry on phones are attrocious. The perfect portable PC still needs a touch type physical keyboard in my opinion.

Keep it small, no more than 7 inches long, half an inch thick (or at least large enough to accomodate a AA battery, see below). It needs to fit in a pocket and be readily available for personal information management on the go. This means it should be ready for use at a moment's notice. I don't need an 'always on' device, but something that at least suspends to a near nothing battery drain would allow all day use when necessary.

Endless Batteries Please

Almost all laptops and portable computers these days fail my number one requirement for a portable PC. They all have some proprietary battery case with lithium cells that are not intended to be replaced by the end user. In some products, the batteries are not even in a removable case! This guaranteed obsoletion of computer hardware is a disgusting trend and speaks volumes about the business strategy of computer manufacturers.

In my sensible fantasy world, computers use standard battery sizes like AAA and AA. Rechargable versions of these batteries exist, have decent energy density, and in a pinch, you could use disposibles when you are on the run or forgot your charger. Not to mention the battery standard has been around for decades. No obsoletion!

Command line only? No problem!

I find the command line to be a most comfortable and righteous home. I would love to have a machine that did that, and only that, reliably, in my pocket, all the time. Most of the stuff I do on the computer could be handled at the CLI, with the exception of the _world _wide _web. It's sad that what was once supposed to be a free, open interface for sharing information has now become a relatively closed environment. Flash anyone?