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Ask Slashdot: Is There A Screen-Less, Keyboard-Less, Battery-Powered Computer?

Posted by EditorDavid on from the maximum-modularity dept.

Long-time Slashdot reader Wycliffe writes: So I have a travel keyboard that I love. I can carry my OS on a USB flash drive. There are several options for portable battery powered monitors. The only thing I'm missing to have a completely modular laptop is the CPU/MB/RAM... I can get a laptop but it seems silly to carry around a laptop with a keyboard when I never use the keyboard. I don't need a long battery life, if I need more than an hour then I can find somewhere to plug it in...

I've thought about buying a small box like a Zotac and trying to replace the hard drive with a battery -- but does anything like this already exist...? Also, are there any systems like this with decent specs? Most stuff I see like the Intel Compute Stick are horribly underpowered compared to a decent laptop.
The original submission drew some interesting discussion. Another option is "a good x86/x64 tablet that I can install Linux on" -- especially with a decent processor -- or "laptop-like systems that got rid of the screen entirely... I just need the travel CPU part without the added weight of a second keyboard and monitor." So leave your best suggestions in the comments. Is there a good, lightweight computer that's battery-powered without a screen or a keyboard?

7 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. yes by spiritplumber · · Score: 4, Informative

    raspberry pi and all its clones/derivatives. Add a USB battery extender pack. Done.

    --
    Liberty - Security - Laziness - Pick any two.
    1. Re:yes by Gaygirlie · · Score: 3, Informative

      If one was going the DIY-way, I'd rather recommend Up^2. It's an actual x86-board, so it can run all the usual x86-stuff, there's a proper mPCI-E - slot for mSATA- and/or NVMe-drives or whatever mPCI-E card you may want to use, an M.2 2230 E-key for real, proper WiFi-cards, a SATA-connector, 3x USB3.0 (and a couple USB2.0-ports via a pin-header), a lot, lot more capable GPU than Raspberry Pi's one, built-in eMMC (the top-end model has a 128GB one) and so on.

      The thing is, an RPi makes for a really crappy desktop-experience. The Up^2 is significantly more expensive, but it's also significantly more capable and much better suited for desktop-use.

    2. Re:yes by CeasedCaring · · Score: 5, Informative

      Go for the newer Pi Zero W, to get built-in Wifi & Bluetooth.

  2. Ask Slashdot, or Ask NewEgg? by BenBoy · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's a nice section on barebones computers there

    1. Re: Ask Slashdot, or Ask NewEgg? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      NewEgg has a Kangaroo PC. No screen or keyboard. Built in battery and mini dock with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI and power cord.

  3. Kangaroo Mobile Mini PC by oddtodd · · Score: 5, Informative

    Kangaroo Mobile Mini PC
    Intel x5 z8500, internal battery
    I have the smaller memory model and it gets hot but seems to be OK, the Plus model with more memory apparently has some heat issues according to the reviews.
    I have Fedora 25 on it and I read somewhere it doesn't use the GPU for graphics, but it works fine for me in low demand uses.
    The lack of GPU use might also be why I don't have the heat issues.
    I can't get the sound out of the HDMI feed, but I think that will work eventually when the kernel gets enhanced.

    --
    I have plenty of common sense, I just choose to ignore it. -- Calvin
  4. Re:Intel NUC Kit NUC6i7KYK Mini PC by Cyclic · · Score: 3, Informative

    You'll probably need a portable generator to power it. But it's light, portable and powerful.

    Duct tape the NUC to a Goal Zero battery pack and use the 19V connector.

    My NUC works well with the Sherpa 50.