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Ask Slashdot: Instead of a Laptop, a Tiny Computer and Projector?

Posted by timothy on from the trade-off-is-convenience dept.

rover42 writes "I travel a lot, usually on a tight budget and often on airlines with tight luggage weight restrictions and high fees for going over, so traveling light is very important to me. So is connecting to the net when traveling, which creates a conflict. I do not trust machines in Internet cafes and my laptop adds significant weight & bulk to my luggage. I could buy a small netbook or a MacBook Air, but is there another choice? There are quite a few tiny computers available, Raspberry Pi and the like. Alone, they don't solve my problem because you need a screen and that is at least as heavy as a laptop. However, there are also quite a few tiny projectors. Would a tiny computer plus a tiny projector do the trick? Which ones? All I need for software is some open source Unix (any *BSD or Linux distro should be fine, or even Minix), a browser and an editor. I don't need large storage or a fast CPU. Has anyone done something like this? Does anyone have a recommendation for either the computer or the projector?"

67 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. This is a terrible idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A computer is more than a cpu and a screen. It's also a keyboard, and mouse. Do you plan to cart those around? If you want a projector, just buy the Air or other ultrabook, and buy a projector.

    1. Re:This is a terrible idea by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      There's always the idea of having a projected touch screen interface. That's a little bit in the future but not that far really.

      Before too long, your phone will be able to do that.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    2. Re:This is a terrible idea by AngryDeuce · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Not to mention that, when traveling, you'd most often be in places where this is totally and completely impractical. You can't break this crap out at the airport (well, you technically could, but most airports I go through are pretty bright places and besides, what a pain in the ass compared to opening a freaking laptop), so you're effectively cutting yourself off from the net anytime you're not parked in a hotel room. Seems like more than I'd be willing to sacrifice even if it did free up some space.

      My little ASUS netbook weighs like 3 pounds or something and is the size of a thin hardcover book. If that's considered a lot of space then I'd hate to see what you're wearing when you travel.

    3. Re:This is a terrible idea by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This. I can hardly imagine how terrible it would be.

      1) Projectors don't work in daylight so you won't be able to see your screen.
      2) Projectors need a nice flat white surface... good luck finding one.
      3) Keyboards and Mice are huge and unwieldy.
      4) What do you use to power it? I've made home-made auxiliary batteries and they're messy ugly and a PITA.

      Just buy a cheap ultrabook or netbook.

    4. Re:This is a terrible idea by Indras · · Score: 4, Informative

      How about a projected keyboard? Already exists: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/e722/

      --
      The speed of time is one second per second.
    5. Re:This is a terrible idea by Intrepid+imaginaut · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yep, touchscreen phones and tablets are largely commuter toys, I needs me a keyboard to get any work done.

    6. Re:This is a terrible idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No, the issue is that while this is possible to do, it's a terrible idea. If we do get projection touch control stuff, and we do get better projectors, then this may be workable. But today? No, it's not, and he's just asking for a difficult time to trying to manage it. He'd be lugging around 4 pieces of equipment minimum that he'd need to connect together, just to avoid a super lightweight and small laptop? Really?

    7. Re:This is a terrible idea by EdIII · · Score: 2

      your hour is coming M$... ever thought about growing corn or raising cattle?

      God I hope not.

      Windows Genuine Advantage Corn products - We hook it up to your piehole and your cornhole to make sure it is real corn.. for your own good. Trust us.

      Remember, Open Source Corn products are known to cause cancer!

      Milk went up 2000% in price when it was announced that 1/3 of all cows mysteriously continue to BSOD after the latest service pack. MS is working on a fix and predicts it will come out soon.

      30 MS software engineers were taking into custody today for a top secret research project on chickens, which MS predicts as a hot new market, for what authorities are saying was, "Just not right", "Crimes against poultry", "Will haunt my dreams".

    8. Re:This is a terrible idea by Sancho · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've used one of those. They're slightly worse than a smartphone soft keyboard. I'd have to be really trying to travel light to even consider one of those.

    9. Re:This is a terrible idea by DocJohn · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It's an example of a person over-thinking the problem, considering the multiple solutions already available --

      - Netbook or Air
      - Tablet or iPad
      - Smartphone
      - Small and light laptop

      Seriously, once you add in all the miscellaneous nonsense you'll need to deal with in getting such a homebrew solution to work, it just isn't worth it. Because, after all, isn't your time worth something? Great, take your hourly rate and times it by how much you're spending researching homebrew solutions and then actually getting something to work to your satisfaction.

      Any business traveler who doesn't know how to pack light should instead invest in some time learning how to pack light. I carry a netbook and carry-on internationally and it's never been a problem, weight-wise or otherwise.

    10. Re:This is a terrible idea by JWSmythe · · Score: 2

          I agree with 1,2,and 4. 3, on the other hand....

          We have a setup here at the house, with a small eMachines ER1401, with a DLP projector, USB 2TB hard drive, wireless keyboard and mouse.

          For screens, I've used everything from a plain white-ish wall, to white sheets, and real screen material in a custom frame. Needless to say, the real screen is much better than the other options. Being in a lit room works ok. If it's pitch black, it's so much better.

          Watching movies from it, either stuff we already ripped from DVD to files, or direct from the DVD in another room over the network, it's great. I'm still having problems getting the sound to work properly. I can get stereo (2 speaker) and dolby surround sound (4 speaker), but better sound is hit and miss. I'm on our 3rd USB audio device, each with optical digital audio out. "good enough" versus 6.1 is a huge difference. The projector and receiver were better off attached to a HD TiVO. At least there, we did get 6.1 audio and the same quality video. Well, sometimes better video, it depended on how much the station was compressed.

          Using it as a computer has a bit to be desired. What looks good for TV doesn't always look good for a computer screen. He'll find the resolution is much lower, unless he spends good money on a higher resolution projector. I run my screens at 1920x1080. I don't know how much a projector would cost, that does that resolution natively. A lot of the projectors automatically adjust the resolution to something they can show. So the advertised resolution just means it can accept it coming in, not that it shows that resolution. Sometimes that's deep in the fine print of the manual, or in a tech document on the manufacturers site that you'll have to really dig for.

          It's still a project to hook everything up. My setup wouldn't be impossible, just impractical. You need to provide power to the PC and projector. Video cables and adapters as necessary. Some sort of speakers if you aren't hooking a receiver up with all its speakers. It takes me about 1 hour to move the whole setup, if I have all the wires laid out first, and pre-measured the locations of all the speakers, screen projector, and seating.

          Or, as you and everyone else has said, buy a laptop. :) I wouldn't consider traveling with the projector, unless it's just for a business meeting, and even then I'd attach it to the laptop for the presentation. In reality, I've never brought my projector. Most businesses I've needed to present at, had their own projector in their conference room.

          What I considered better than a projector, was a pair of Sony Glasstron. I picked them up to use in a datacenter that didn't have a monitor cart. It was easier to carry it, than a monitor in my luggage. I only used it on the servers though, not on the laptop, even though I could have. When traveling, it wasn't worth the trouble to take it out of the bag. I guess that's why none of them really sold all that well.

      --
      Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
    11. Re:This is a terrible idea by Zadaz · · Score: 3, Informative

      What about power? I have spent the last 15 years traveling with my work, working out of cafes, coffee shops, bars, planes, trains, and automobiles, beaches, and basements. I am incredibly conscious of size and weight because I cary my laptop everywhere, every day. If I'm outside my laptop is on my shoulder or back. 3 punds is the breakpoint. Less than 3 pounds and you can carry it everywhere all day and not notice you've got it. Above that it becomes a problem.

      But really, by far the most valuable thing to have in a portable computer is a long-lasting built-in power supply.

      There will never be an outlet when you need one. I guarantee it. And with a portable computer you must have an outlet to do anything at all. Even if you did cobble together a battery for a portable computer it wouldn't be nearly as efficient as a laptop because laptops are made to run efficiently. And you'll need to carry the cord. More mass. Before "ultraportables" and the Air I would carry Sony X-series and spring for the extra-life battery. It increased the weight 50% and volume by 25%, but gave me 8-9 hours of tether-free power (vs 2) which saved my job on more than one occasion. I don't get quite that with the Air at this point, but 5+ hours is easy. I usually leave the charger at home/office/hotel room, which saves more space in my bag.

      Projectors also require a flat, light colored, vertical surface to project on. This is much less available than you might think.

    12. Re:This is a terrible idea by man_of_mr_e · · Score: 2

      That particular keyboard has actually been around for more than 10 years... It's nothing new.

      --
      If you need web hosting, you could do worse than here
    13. Re:This is a terrible idea by RabidReindeer · · Score: 2

      Several years ago I had a Windows CE V5 phone that was actually pretty good for a lot of stuff. It had WiFi, extensive IR and Bluetooth support as well as a Grafitti-style stylus interface that I could use faster than a keyboard.

      For extended text sessions I had a Bluetooth keyboard that collapsed into a 4x4x1 inch package and ran 8 hours on a AAA battery.

      Although my job requires more power than the phone could supply, if I was a writer or other less-greedy person, adding a projector to that would have made a wonderfully light travel PC - especially since I make minimal use of pointing devices when doing word processing.

      Obviously you don't want to juggle a setup like that on a plane or in an airport, but in a hotel room or small office, it would have been quite nice.

      I still have it actually. The telephone radio died, but the WiFi and other data channels work fine.

    14. Re:This is a terrible idea by icebraining · · Score: 3, Insightful

      take your hourly rate and times it by how much you're spending researching homebrew solutions and then actually getting something to work to your satisfaction.

      Where do you people work where you can decide for yourselves that you'll just spend a couple more hours working and charge for it? Most people have a fixed salary, possible with overtime if it's needed, but that's it. Their hours outside of their fixed working time are probably worth a pittance.

      Now, I fully understand that paying money to save time makes perfect sense, but that's because I value my leisure, not because it makes economical sense.

      --
      Dilbert RSS feed
    15. Re:This is a terrible idea by vivian · · Score: 2

      There is finally a true 1080p head mounted display option http://www.siliconmicrodisplay.com/st10801.html I'd consider instead of a projector.

      It's got true 3d display, 1920x1080 stereo (ie. 3d) vision, which is supposedly equivalent to 100 inch display at 10 feet, with inter ocular distance adjustable, so it should be wearable for long periods. 10% transparency so you don walk into telegraph poles while using it on the move, and 7 watts powe usage so shouldn't need too much weight worth of batteries.
      I'm not a customer yet, but after submitting this post http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/05/19/1734244/where-are-the-high-res-head-mounted-displays a few years ago, seems like someone finally listened to me :)

      Be sure to post whatever solution you decide on - I'd be very interested to see what you come up with. (input I guess is the next thing to solve)

    16. Re:This is a terrible idea by vivian · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Instead of a projector, i'd suggest a head mounted display.

      these guys http://www.siliconmicrodisplay.com/st1080-features.html have finally answered my question of 3 years ago:
      http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/05/19/1734244/where-are-the-high-res-head-mounted-displays
      and come up with a wearable display that is lightweight, uses 7 watts, and most importantly is apparently true 1600x1080p x 2 (ie stereo view) in a package that only looks slightly dorky instead of the full face brick / helmet thing that had been the only option before that for this kind of resolution.
      with 10% transparency option, you can still see through it enough to see that virtual keyboard and your surroundings.
      With adjustable inter pupil distance (IPD) you can set it up so it's right for your eye spacing, thus eliminating one of the major problems with earlier displays that made them hard to wear (ie. migrane inducing) for any length of time.
      Apparent screen size is equivalent to 100 inch screen at 10 feet, with a 45 degree field of view.

      It's still a bit pricey at $800, but definitely competitive with say, a big 3d tv and shutter glasses, and a lot easier on your neck to wear attached to your face.

    17. Re:This is a terrible idea by hack++slash · · Score: 2

      I was quite interested in the ST1080 until I read that 60hz 720p is non-scaled and centered in the 1080p area so there's a black border round it, but running it at 1080p it's only capable of a 30hz picture.

      --
      To do something right, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get busy.
    18. Re:This is a terrible idea by LostMyBeaver · · Score: 2

      I have an Icuti 920VR HUD which has VGA input and a 3D head positioning sensor...

      In short... I love it for films... sometimes games... sucks for work

    19. Re:This is a terrible idea by davester666 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      First, what do you want to use the computer for?

      If it's just surfing and email, why not just get an iPad instead of some cobbled-together contraption?

      And you'll even be able to keep using it ON the plane.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  2. Go further: do it on a phone? by metrometro · · Score: 2, Interesting

    For once, a great Ask /. question.

    For extra bonus points: any way we can do this off a currently available phone? For discussion purposes, I'll scale back the reqs to merely a browser and a text editor.

    1. Re:Go further: do it on a phone? by mehrotra.akash · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Does the Galaxy Beam qualify?

    2. Re:Go further: do it on a phone? by frisket · · Score: 2

      I've been considering a Galaxy Note, but I also need LaTeX, and I haven't explored the Galaxy ecosystem (or its cyanogenmod equivalent). And I hadn't heard of the Beam either, thank you.

    3. Re:Go further: do it on a phone? by amorsen · · Score: 2

      The resolution is 640x360. Good for playing the original Wolfenstein... That is just about the only use I can think of. I suppose video would work, if you don't make the "screen" larger than 12" or so. Web browsing is not particularly realistic. You are better off just ignoring the projector and sticking with the 4" 800x480 screen on the phone.

      --
      Finally! A year of moderation! Ready for 2019?
    4. Re:Go further: do it on a phone? by TheRaven64 · · Score: 2, Informative

      LaTeX won't work on ARM

      Really? It was originally written for the PDP-11 and I've run TeX on SPARC, PowerPC, i386 and x86-64. I doubt there's anything sufficiently unportable to fail to run on ARM. You can install a Debian chroot on Android, and there are TeXLive packages for Debian/ARM, so I don't see what the problem is...

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  3. You'll regret it by frostilicus2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It'll break, you won't be able to fix it, the ergonomics will be terrible, you'll get hassled in airport security. This is a recipe for you getting pissed. Just get a MacBook air: built to last, lightweight and usable.

    --
    Nothing sucks like a Vax, nothing blows like a PowerMac G4
    1. Re:You'll regret it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      And the most expensive option. And if it breaks, you won't be able to fix it. Definitely a good choice.

    2. Re:You'll regret it by frostilicus2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      But an Apple genius might.

      --
      Nothing sucks like a Vax, nothing blows like a PowerMac G4
    3. Re:You'll regret it by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 4, Insightful

      you won't be able to fix it

      Just get a MacBook air

      How can you make these two statements in a single post?

      --
      Palm trees and 8
    4. Re:You'll regret it by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 3, Insightful

      For traveling overseas, I use a crappy $299 netbook. It's about the size and weight of a hardback book and is not so expensive that I can't leave it in my hotel room when I'm out.

    5. Re:You'll regret it by macs4all · · Score: 5, Insightful

      And the most expensive option. And if it breaks, you won't be able to fix it. Definitely a good choice.

      Please tell me WHAT computer you can fix yourself WHILE TRAVELING?

      Idiot.

      Just get an Air, and forget about the "fixing it" part; because it is highly unlikely to break anyway; whereas a cobbled-up bit, involving multiple cables and whatnot, assembled out of the cheapest-possible stuff, is just as likely TO break.

      And as I said, both are unlikely to be fixed by YOU on the road; but at least with the Air, there is the possibility of having an Apple Store in the area, where it CAN be fixed.

      Seriously, AC, look at ALL of the requirements; not just the ones that would apply in your Mom's basement.

    6. Re:You'll regret it by frostilicus2 · · Score: 2

      Apple tech support is genuinely excellent. Raspberry Pi tech support doesn't exist and I doubt that getting a (surprisingly) expensive projector fixed at short notice is much easier. My day-to-day machine is a beat up six year old MacBook. Bits are breaking off the case, it's been dropped, had a bottle of ink spilled on the keyboard, gotten wet and been through all kinds of abuse but it still works as well as the day I got it. A MacBook air with a unibodied aluminum case, LED backlight and all solid state storage should last a lifetime.

      --
      Nothing sucks like a Vax, nothing blows like a PowerMac G4
    7. Re:You'll regret it by neokushan · · Score: 2

      Statistically, 1 out of 1 people didn't have their Macbook Air break after 12 months. This means that the Macbook Air has a 0% fault rate.

      Statistically, small sample sizes for statistics are misleading 100% of the time. This is based on a sample size of 1.

      --
      +1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill
    8. Re:You'll regret it by frostilicus2 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Difficult to say. If you've got AppleCare, it should be easy (and fast) to get a replacement or recover your data. I think my point was that a Raspberry Pi will break (I've got one and it and it's associated peripherals don't exactly fill me with confidence: mine gets upset if I try to use both a mouse and an ethernet connection and likes to reboot randomly). A MacBook air, on the other hand, is a very well engineered machine: all solid state storage, aluminum unibody case and LED backlight (more reliable than CCFL) should mean that it'll run for many, many years without fault. My plastic cased MacBook is six years old has put up with all kinds of abuse but still runs like new. From what I hear, this isn't the exception to the rule.

      --
      Nothing sucks like a Vax, nothing blows like a PowerMac G4
    9. Re:You'll regret it by jon3k · · Score: 2

      I don't think those two thoughts were meant to be connected. I think it's safe to say that the Macbook Air failure rate is pretty low, or we'd hear people screaming from the roof tops. Just look at Antennagate. People LOVE to hate Apple.

    10. Re:You'll regret it by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 2

      A MacBook air with a unibodied aluminum case, LED backlight and all solid state storage should last a lifetime.

      That is one of the most bizarre arguments I have ever seen someone promote. I can keep repairing my old Dell laptop for the rest of my life too (and I do not even have to go through Dell to replace things that break!), but I would hardly say that the laptop will "last a lifetime." I doubt that the keyboard, trackpad, or screen will last more than 10 years without problems (bad pixels, bad keys, etc.). LED lights do not last indefinitely either, and mechanical components like hinges are also destined to fail.

      That is assuming that the computer is not dropped, that nothing is spilled on it, etc.

      I also have a six year old laptop, a Dell Latitude, and it is in working order. I dropped it, spilled things on it, etc., just like you, and the case has taken some damage. I also did things to my laptop that you cannot do with a MacBook Air, like increasing the amount of RAM. I would never claim that this laptop will "last a lifetime," even if I could guarantee that every component could be replaced for the next millennium (and don't think for a moment that Apple will never stop producing replacement parts for your MacBook); eventually this computer will need to be replaced.

      As for the submitter's question, I agree, it is silly to carry around a projector and a lightweight desktop. A small laptop or netbook is a better idea, but unless he wants to spend hundreds of dollars more than he needs to, I do not really see why Apple's products win here.

      --
      Palm trees and 8
    11. Re:You'll regret it by Abreu · · Score: 2

      The safes at any hotel have a master password that allow a manager to open it up for you if you forget the code you set yourself. Sadly, in some hotels, this means that any one of the staff may have access to this password.

      --
      No sig for the moment.
    12. Re:You'll regret it by ifiwereasculptor · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That's a good comparison, because they have been made for similar uses, showcase equal performance and capabilities, cost about the same and are roughly the same size. If it's only durability you're concerned about, though, a huge brick of gold is a much better choice than either of them.

      Here's a random thought: if you take the money you'd use to buy a MacBook ($1200) and deposit it on a savings account (0.8%), you'll be able to afford a new Pi every 2.6 months on interest alone, thus having pretty much infinitely replaceable Pis. It will be exactly one MacBook cheaper than buying a MacBook and if the Pis resist more than a few months, you can cluster them at will.

    13. Re:You'll regret it by JWSmythe · · Score: 2

          You forgot the most common scenario.. If you lock it when you check out, it has to be unlocked and the code cleared for the next guest. So I'd bet that the cleaning crew has the code. The manager has better things to do than go running up to every room to reset the safe.

          I've been finding it less and less common for hotels to have in-room safes, even the more expensive ones. The last time I saw one was in an Ibis hotel in Europe in 1999. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels since then (generally rating 3 to 5 stars), and none of them have had in-room safes. It's probably not cost effective, and isn't a feature that most guests even care about. I just carry my expensive gear with me in a backpack, or leave it locked in our cage at the datacenter. At the datacenters, my laptop is the least expensive piece of gear there.

      --
      Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
    14. Re:You'll regret it by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      Please tell me WHAT computer you can fix yourself WHILE TRAVELING?

      I've done HDD replacements and RAM upgrades on the go before. On most laptops you only need a screwdriver, and they are not exactly hard to obtain. I have a bootable USB flash drive with disk imaging and some other vital software on it, about the size of a penny, that lives in my bag for just such emergencies. You can buy a USB->SATA converter and new HDD anywhere civilized.

      For serious travelling get something a bit more robust like a Thinkpad or Toughbook/Let's Note. The latter come in very light models too.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    15. Re:You'll regret it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      A pi costs $1.60?

    16. Re:You'll regret it by jpapon · · Score: 2

      I believe the parent thinks that compounded monthly means that you get the (annual) interest rate every month. While this would be nice for anyone who's not a bank, it's really quite silly.

      --
      -- Let us endeavor so to live that when we pass even the undertaker shall be sorry. -- M. Twain
  4. Just get a netbook by redmid17 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It sounds more like this would be a hobby solution. The amount of effort you'll spend getting it to work as well as a netbook isn't going to be a good payout

    1. Re:Just get a netbook by metrometro · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It sounds more like this would be a hobby solution.

      You do realize this was posted to Slashdot on a Sunday afternoon, right?

  5. Add a camera too by TheLink · · Score: 2

    http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao#t=2m30s

    Note that you may have problems boarding the plane with such gear :).

    --
  6. Your problem SOLVED.... Eee PC by dryriver · · Score: 4, Informative

    Get one of these ------ http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_PC/Eee_PC_1001PX_Seashell/#overview ------- its cheap, light (1300 grams), 9 hour battery life. I have one that I use to write a 400 page book when I'm on the go. Its very usable. As for your Raspberry + Project idea... It will give you nothing but problems, problems, problems... ----

    --
    Why did the chicken cross the road? Because Elon Musk put an AI chip in its head.
  7. PicoProjector+Pi+CubeLaser=Fun Hobby solution by duckgod · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You aren't going to come close to the ergomonics of a laptop so lets assume you are thinking hobby solution. I have long wanted to combine a Cube Laser Virtual Keyboard, Pico Projector, Raspberry pi like computer to make some sort of laser cube of awesomeness. So do it and post about that because I would like to see results without spending the $600 myself.

  8. A 7" Tablet is a better solution by frank249 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I used to lug a laptop on business trips but now I can get by with just my Blackberry and Playbook. The Playbook has HDMI out so I can use a big screen TV at the other end to show my presentations and videos using my blackberry as a remote. The Playbook fits in my inside jacket pocket so it is ideal for these kind of trips.

    --

    Today's vices may be tomorrow's virtues.

  9. Your phone? by vinn · · Score: 2

    If this is truly important to you, why don't you see if you can get by using a phone? Get a phone that has HDMI out and then get a cable so you can plug it into the TV at your hotel, or maybe carry on of those small pico projectors (the projector idea sounds annoying.) Maybe get one of these keyboard projectors? http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/e722/

    --
    ----- obSig
  10. Tablet + Keyboard by mykelalvis · · Score: 2

    I manage to do fairly well with a mid-level tablet (in my case a Toshiba Thrive) and a logitech bluetooth keyboard. Both fit in a pocket on my carry-on.

  11. Galaxy Nexus + Dock + BT Key/Mouse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I use Galaxy Nexus for such stuff. GN has pretty large screen for on the go, but when i get at home, GN dock + Bluetooth Keyboard + mouse + 24" monitor gives me decent working environment.

    you can carry all (except monitor) anywhere where you go and then use dock with hotel room TV (if it has hdmi port).

    I'm happy with my Galaxy Nexus :)

    Alex

  12. Battery by Paul+Slocum · · Score: 2

    If you get a tiny computer and a projector, you basically can't do anything without a power outlet. Just get a small laptop. I'm not a huge fan of Apple, but I've found my Macbook Air to be pretty rugged and portable.

  13. This made me make a slashdot account by trdtaylor · · Score: 4, Informative

    You seem to be a perfect fit for any android phone that supports a mini-HDMI connection or one of those new-fangled MHL connection. The Samsung Galaxy s3 does this, has a quadcore 1.4Ghz ARM, a gig of ram. You can wireless connect a keyboard and mouse to the bluetooth if you want. Data will go on the 3g/4g connection, which will perfectly accompany you if you have an unlimited verizon plan still.

    1. Re:This made me make a slashdot account by lessthan · · Score: 5, Informative

      Plus, why a projector? They sell video glasses for any phone, at a couple of different transparencies. Seems like that would be more effective than a projector.

      --
      Space Shuttle was a program that strapped humans to an explosion and tried to stab through the sky with fire and math
    2. Re:This made me make a slashdot account by JWSmythe · · Score: 4, Informative

          Sony Glasstron have been around for years. There are several other manufacturers making their own versions of them. I had the first version, which had a fixed visor. As I recall, newer versions of it had removable visors so you could see through them. There were also hacks for the original ones, where people removed the visor (or parts of it), so you could see through them.

          The original wouldn't work with a phone, but I believe others did use Bluetooth.

      --
      Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
  14. smartphone -- droid 4 works great by kesuki · · Score: 2

    at $550 usd it's not 'cheap' if you buy it without a contract... but with a contract but only $99 for new customers. it's got a qwerty physical keyboard 16 gb stock with a sdmicro supporting 32 gb add on (in the battery housing) and debian supports the hardware just fine. the screen is a bit small but it has a micro hdmi output that will mirror the screen for use with projectors. just a small list of feature, wifi connection to avoid wasting plan gbs, ability to connect to 5 wifi devices to act as a mobile hotspot. full support of google play apps as well as carrier apps, dual core 1.2ghz processor, 1 gb of ram, 8 megapixel camera on rear and 1.4 megapixel cam on front (for skype, etc)
    depending on how many apps you have running the battery lasts all day, and will charge from usb ports. if it's supported in debian the micro hdmi out means ethernet over hdmi support..
    netflix works great on it, though i output to a hdtv to netflix since the screen is not the top grade. it will record video clips in 1080p not sure how many minutes, as i haven't needed to test that yet. it plays back mp3s but i had troubles with mp3 identification when i tried to sync (only on the carriers os) it is a 4g lte phone but works fine on 3g and voice protocols.

    --
    https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
  15. Re:don't the put the laptop in cheacked bags by deoxyribonucleose · · Score: 2

    don't the put the laptop in checkered bags easy way for it to get lost, broken, or stolen

    Yep, the lst plaid suitcase I had got stomped on by an irate baggage handler. Apparently, they prefer stripes.

  16. Glasses? by PPH · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Forget the projector. Does anyone make glasses with a suitable HUD?

    I Googled and found Vuzix. These appear to be designed mainly for video use, so the resolution might not be great. But if you are going to be projecting an image on any old surface, how much worse can these be?

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  17. iPhone + BT keyboard + HDMI/DVI adapter by rockmuelle · · Score: 2

    I've been using that combo more often for conferences and business meetings. If you want more screen, an iPad or galaxy tablet would work.

    I like the iPhone approach since it limits me to a single device for everything (except coding). Keynote works great for presenting (I usually author in PowerPoint).

    -Chris

  18. Re:Zenbook. by Indras · · Score: 3, Informative

    Get the Asus Zenbook ... Aluminum's the worst material to use in a laptop, anyway.

    Um, what? Quoted from the Asus Zenbook website:

    There are several advantages to the finely crafted aluminum used in ASUS ZENBOOK construction. In addition to its gorgeous appearance, aluminum offers a lighter Ultrabook that’s easier to carry, while retaining strength and durability. To accomplish a sleek and smooth metallic look, ASUS developed new mounting methods that reduce screw usage by 12%, taking inspiration from hand-crafted luxury wrist watches.

    --
    The speed of time is one second per second.
  19. Two options by jon3k · · Score: 2

    If you're cheap or on a serious budget, get an atom powered netbook, preferrably used, for about $50-$200 off eBay.

    If you want a device that meets your criteria and is actually really nice to use, get a Macbook Air. Fantastic display, great keyboard, great trackpad, awesome battery life, super light and very durable. Plus OS X is actually really nice if you prefer a unix-ish environment.

  20. Re:Zenbook. by macs4all · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Get the Asus Zenbook. Better specs than a Macbook Air, at the same price and with a bit better build quality, to boot. Otherwise, ThinkPad ultrabook. Aluminum's the worst material to use in a laptop, anyway.

    Yeah, because the hard plastics that have been traditionally used are so much better. And you of course don't mention WHY Aluminum is the WORST (not just a bad, but the WORST) material to use in a laptop.

    And I don't know what you call "better build quality". Unibody Apple laptops are pretty much universally accepted as having the best build quality in the industry.

    And ASUS having better build quality that Apple?!? That's a laugh riot!

    From what I can tell, it's a Macbook Air ripoff through and through, but with a shitty TN panel (except for the one that costs as much, or MORE THAN an Air), and a dodgy trackpad, for not a whole lot less than an Air, and in the case of the one with an IPS panel, MORE. And as far as build quality goes, ask anyone who has owned an Asus laptop. By the way, if not Aluminum, what exactly is the Zenbook made of? Asus seems to think it's made of... wait for it...

    ALUMINUM Which they explicitly say was the best material out of the many that they tried.

    But unlike Apple, who MILLS the case out of a SOLID BLOCK of aluminum (a quite time-consuming and expensive process compared with stamping a body out of SHEET aluminum like Asus does), the Zenbook uses only enough aluminum to make it LOOK like a Macbook; but without the structural integrity of a one-piece chassis.

    Idiot. Try not to LIE so badly next time.

  21. Re:Asus EEEpc at 2 lb = 4 hrs cheap, 10 expensive by AngryDeuce · · Score: 2

    Yeah I get 4+ hours per charge with my netbook which is more than enough for the flights I'm taking (I don't travel international) and I generally have good luck finding a plug in the terminals to top off anyway.

  22. Repairable means more breakable. by SuperKendall · · Score: 2

    The Air would have have had a keyboard connector come lose with a simple drop.

    That's hardly a story to inspire one to something more repairable, which also means self-dissabemly is more possible also by the device when dropped.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  23. Re:iPad? by davidbrit2 · · Score: 2

    What he said. My laptop never leaves the house now. In cases where I need to use a "real" computer, I just RDP/VNC/SSH to the machine in question. I only pull out the bluetooth keyboard when I plan to do a lot of typing. Even Visual Studio over RDP was surprisingly pleasant.

  24. most compact by khipu · · Score: 2

    The most compact and versatile travel combo I found is a 7" Android tablet with HDMI output and a folding Bluetooth keyboard.

    I'm not sure a pico projector adds much to that: it's not that useful for presentations, and it doesn't really give you a better picture for working than the tablet.

  25. Re:iPad + 3G , 4G by Belial6 · · Score: 2

    Given that the iPad has remote desktop clients, this (or the same with an Android tablet) is a viable solution with more upsides than down compared to a Macbook.