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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?"

9 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 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

  2. 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 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.

  3. 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

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

    Does the Galaxy Beam qualify?

  5. 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