Pyra the successor to the OpenPandora device is now available to pre-order and it certainly sounds interesting.
I've never really looked into it before or heard much about it until multiple people emailed it in, so I am happy to cover it in case anyone else missed it too.
No, this isn't some Linux smartphone or tablet, but a full mini-computer that runs a proper Debian Linux distribution.
It might be an interesting low-end gaming device as it has shoulder buttons, little pads and ABXY buttons too.
You can see a preview of the device below:
The case uses simple screws, so you are able to freely open it open and tinker and swap things out if you fancy modding it. They say that you will be able to swap-out the initial CPU-board with new ones when they become available, so it does have the ability to be upgraded.
The included 6000mAh battery is pretty good for such a unit, certainly longer-lasting than what comes with most laptops, but as always it will depend on use.
One thing that I find really awesome if that it has fully configurable RGB-LEDs for notifications!
It even has a backlit keyboard, very slick.
My only issue with it, is that it's a little on the ugly side don't you think?
Find out more on the official Pyra website. You can pre-order one here. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I've never really looked into it before or heard much about it until multiple people emailed it in, so I am happy to cover it in case anyone else missed it too.
No, this isn't some Linux smartphone or tablet, but a full mini-computer that runs a proper Debian Linux distribution.
It might be an interesting low-end gaming device as it has shoulder buttons, little pads and ABXY buttons too.
You can see a preview of the device below:
The case uses simple screws, so you are able to freely open it open and tinker and swap things out if you fancy modding it. They say that you will be able to swap-out the initial CPU-board with new ones when they become available, so it does have the ability to be upgraded.
The included 6000mAh battery is pretty good for such a unit, certainly longer-lasting than what comes with most laptops, but as always it will depend on use.
One thing that I find really awesome if that it has fully configurable RGB-LEDs for notifications!
It even has a backlit keyboard, very slick.
My only issue with it, is that it's a little on the ugly side don't you think?
Find out more on the official Pyra website. You can pre-order one here. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I really want one. Unfortunately, I recently bought a second-hand Thinkpad. Different uses, but I would have shifted my ideas and expectations if this had been around before I spent that money. Anyone want a Thinkpad Yoga 12?!
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@kingu: I don't see a point in trying to use a desktop UI on a mobile device. Just make a mobile UI. Linux doesn't limit you. That's what Sailfish and Plasma Mobile are doing. And they are using Wayland compositors for that.
And as for small / portable computers, while it's not a handheld, it's one portable beast mini PC:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10343/the-intel-skull-canyon-nuc6i7kyk-minipc-review
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 5:46 pm UTC
And as for small / portable computers, while it's not a handheld, it's one portable beast mini PC:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10343/the-intel-skull-canyon-nuc6i7kyk-minipc-review
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 5:46 pm UTC
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@Lightkey: Yes, I wasn't talking about Pyra specifically. I was answering to @kingu who said that "Desktop Linux|GNU isn't geared towards 480px vertical resolution, on a screen too small for comfort". I.e. of course you shouldn't try to fit desktop UI on a small screen. It's counter productive.
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 8:50 pm UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 8:50 pm UTC
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@Lightkey: I wouldn't call it fine if it needs precision with small controls. I'd say it's some stretch if usability is concerned. I'm OK with them doing what they want, but you can't claim it has good ergonomics for UI that has tiny elements in it.
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 9:37 pm UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 26 May 2016 at 9:37 pm UTC
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Yeah, I remember people running Easy Debian on Nokia N900 and using a stylus to navigate Open Office there ;)
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The price tag is quite high, but this, besides gaming (emulation or light 3D gaming (OpenArena and such should work decently on it), should be a perfect pocket-SSH machine for the road-tripping sysadmin… mmh, now I want one :)
edit: my only concern should be the GPU driver… is it proprietary or open source? is it well maintained?
Last edited by lidstah on 27 May 2016 at 12:44 pm UTC
edit: my only concern should be the GPU driver… is it proprietary or open source? is it well maintained?
Last edited by lidstah on 27 May 2016 at 12:44 pm UTC
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Quoting: Lightkeylidstah: The GPU is old (several generations behind but still supposedly 20 times the computing power of the Pandora GPU), the driver is proprietary and thus poorly maintained. Several features of the OMAP5 have been "descoped" (deprecated) because they don't work right anymore or never worked right from the beginning. At least there are still a few developers over at Texas Instruments that try to help, there were already a few Pyra-related changes to the Linux kernel lately. The only thing that is better than with the Pandora is that the kernel driver is open source this time, so they hopefully will not be stuck with an outdated Linux version again.
Ah, thanks for the info Lightkey. The situation indeed seems better than with the Pandora.
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looks really good and interesting,
for 600$ they could have provided something better than ARM A15 cores though -_-
for 600$ they could have provided something better than ARM A15 cores though -_-
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Cyba.Cowboy Jun 18, 2016
This reminds me of the old "OQO" micro-computers... They were awesome (and incredibly expensive!), though sadly, you can't get them anymore.
I wonder how hard it would be to run Ubuntu on this? Surely it couldn't be too hard?
I like the clear casing... I still miss the early 90's, when everyone went nuts about clear cases and put them on just about everything.
I don't have the money for this right now, but if I did, it's be the clear case I'd get... But only to have as a fancy "toy", and perhaps for use as an expensive Game Boy (though mostly for the former).
It'd be a shame if there was no clear case option... When I have the money to spare, I hope to pickup the clear version.
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 18 June 2016 at 9:00 am UTC
I wonder how hard it would be to run Ubuntu on this? Surely it couldn't be too hard?
Quoting: thelimeydragonThe clear case is just prototype casing.
I like the clear casing... I still miss the early 90's, when everyone went nuts about clear cases and put them on just about everything.
I don't have the money for this right now, but if I did, it's be the clear case I'd get... But only to have as a fancy "toy", and perhaps for use as an expensive Game Boy (though mostly for the former).
Quoting: LightkeyMaybe there will be a special batch for transparent cases but it isn't even considered as one of the starting colours.
It'd be a shame if there was no clear case option... When I have the money to spare, I hope to pickup the clear version.
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 18 June 2016 at 9:00 am UTC
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