(Solved) I would like a small laptop to use to log medical data (Weight, Blood Pressure, etc) as I gather it. I need it to be small like 10’. it can be low power because I will probably use it only CLI, no GUI, but I need it to be inexpensive. ARM-based is ok, as long as I can SSH into my desktop machine.
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You need it to be 10 feet?
Just pick up a cheap, secondhand mainframe
Oh sorry, 10" 10 inches. Small enough to tote around, big enough to read easily.
Old cellphone.
An old Chromebook sounds perfect.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Chromebook+10+inch
Looks like most of those are 11.6". Double check before buying that it can be wiped and you can put Linux on it.
I own old Chromebook.
Chromebook software updates are not forever.
It is my understanding that some Chromebooks might be locked in such a way that installation of Linux might NOT be an option or the might be a high chance of bricking the device.
At least that was the case with my Chromebook.
So, once OS updates are unavailable, the machine might become a weak link from security standpoint or stop running some software.
Chromebook is still a great option, but be careful with very old ones.
It’s always worth checking if MrChromebox supports your specific Chromebook. I got Debian running on an old Chromebook a few months back for fun, but I had to compile a custom kernel to get audio working because AMD Stoney Ridge is weird.
I got a $50 EOL Chromebook that I loaded CinnaMint (it’s right there… Why say "Mint Cinnamon "…) on.
I use it as my sketchy torrent getting machine, Because if something goes wrong, oh well.
What is sketchy about downloading a torrent that it could save you from? Wouldn’t it be executing whatever you downloaded on another machine that would be the risky part?
So, once OS updates are unavailable, the machine might become a weak link from security standpoint or stop running some software.
That’s why I specified:
Double check before buying that it can be wiped and you can put Linux on it.
Came to second this. I have an old hp Chromebook that is indestructible, has insane battery life, and still has a few years of updates left. The built in Linux terminal is fine and just about anything you can get through apt-get, dpkg, or otherwise works fine as well (if there is an arm version), it’ll even add menu entries for GUI apps.
I do light reading or dev work on it, and use the built in terminal to keep track of and ssh into my remote boxes. I take it on the road to take notes or hop on a wifi.
When I first got it the interface was kinda crap for a laptop, but through the updates (dark mode, new menu, etc) it’s actually just fine now.
It’s slow, low ram and only usable for a few tabs at a time, but for what I use it for it does fine, and it was cheap enough I won’t cry if it dies.
Yep, that’s what I started with. I had a 2014 Toshiba Chromebook with 16 GB storage and 2 GB memory.
It was my lil ssh/vnc machine for the longest time until the battery stopped working. I replaced it with a proper Thinkpad recently.
Mine is a 2020 with 32gb storage and 3gb ram but same ballpark. I just replaced my PC earlier this year but the Chromebook is next. I’m looking at renewed HP elitebooks or renewed ThinkPads, but I’m not sure either come in a size OP would want.
Or at least be able to ssh into a linux environment.
In that case, if it’s just CLI, you don’t need a new computer. Use your phone or tablet to ssh inside your main Linux computer.
Indeed, I’d buy a Bluetooth keyboard instead.
Thinkpad
old netbook HP mini 210 it’s exactly 10’
If you’re just using ssh to another system you could probably use a tablet.
Thanks everyone who has suggested this, I had not thought of SSH to my main machine or even my server machine for this. Good idea. I am not sure about a tablet though because I want a keyboard. Since I would be ssh-ing into a linux machine linux on the little machine is not a must anymore.
There are keyboard covers for tablets - I have one on my Samsung Tab S9 and it works pretty well, depending on your expectations of a keyboard.
Use Termux, you need:
- Android Tablet/Smartphone.
- Bluetooth keyboard.
- Cheap stand 4 device.
That’s my setup to play tabletop rpg (DND5E) for a couple of years, all CLI using any text editor you like with markdown. I use: tmux, vis.
In your case: SC-IM, visidata, any text editor.
With Termux you can use packages from repo or from other distros with
proot-distro, like: Alpine, Avoid, Debian, Arch, Fedora, Ubuntu.Asus L203MA
An old eeePC? Dunno if Thinkpads have that small a screen.
If you are doing this in any kind of clinical environment it would be better to look first at the ability for the device to be cleaned or disinfected effectively and regulations around that in your area.
Favor fanless devices with as few ports as possible. I don’t know if there’s anything out there in a tablet form factor that only does wireless charging and has no usb/headphone/whatever, but that’s what you want.
Those are good points. I am collecting my own data in a home environment. Did I say that it is important to be able to move the data to my production computer to send to the doctor?
A Raspberry Pi with a touchscreen should be enough, I can’t think of a cheaper alternative
I think there’s also similar devices to a Raspberry Pi that are cheaper
Just grab a 3-4 year old 13" business class laptop, like a Thinkpad X13. When they come off lease at 3-4 years, they hit the used market at pretty great prices. Some are in rough shape, but use trusted sellers who sell at reasonable volume, and their condition grading tends to be pretty reliable.
Be careful about upgradable RAM, or getting at least 16GB. It sounds like you’d be fine with 8GB for now, but 16GB will get you better life out of the machine.
You may want to replace the SSD straight away, depending on the write cycles. I’d probably just grab one with 256GB, and get a replacement straight away. Lenovo has all their hardware maintenance manuals online, to make checking compatibility and performing the upgrade pretty easy.
I would look into the Surfaces, you can find a cheap second hand one and install Linux on it.
Strongly disagree, even though the https://github.com/linux-surface team does great work. Just too many issues, all the time. Pipewire, microphone not working, enroll MOK keys, …
I wonder if the steam deck will work for you. Its sacrifice of physical keyboard for portability will probably be the deal breaking issue if I were to guess, but not sure. I’ve seen plenty of people use them as computers for various field projects not game related. It’s cheapest is 350 if you don’t need a lot storage on the device and the storage is upgradeable. It’s compatible with normal USB c hubs for if you do need a physical keyboard or w/e. There are definitely some hangups that may make it undesirable and from what you described some of them are definitely possible, ie if you want to pull it out in the field and do a lot of typing without setting up a dock and whatnot, it won’t work for your needs. But if the fieldwork with it is mostly just start a program and connect a USB data source, and most typing will be somewhere with a desk (home office or w/e) then it may work.
I was personally looking for a Linux compatible laptop a while back (admittedly I asked the wrong community), and eventually came to the conclusion that my wife’s steam deck was actually a great solution for my needs, the main times I needed a keyboard I could just setup a simple dock and plug one it (though if you get a USBC or Bluetooth keyboard the only use for the dock is for holding it upright or additional peripherals), and most of my on the go use of it doesn’t need a lot of typing.
If you buy a used one, you can probably get it a good but cheaper as well
