@dredmorbius@kyle@librem.one You're no fun!
This is my now 3y.o. gripe / feature request.
https://ello.co/dredmorbius/post/lqgtwy_rhsfbdh5cdxb1rq
9-10in. (230--250mm) device, folio 6-row bluetooth keyboard, case folds for in-lap keyboarding, 8--10 hr battery. Runs Linux, browser, email, bookreader, and a robust shell userland. Storage expandable to at least 128 GB, if not higher (iPad goes to 1TB last I checked)
Android and iOS both fail to deliver joy.
The vendor relationship for a decent keyboard really is key.
I'm also looking at Pine. You and them seem to be the market.
ello.coTablets Keyboards - dredmorbius | elloTablets and Keyboards
---------------------------
I am desperately seeking suggestions or pointers on a tablet, case, and keyboard combination.
My preferences:
* Linux or Android device, if the latter, **MUST** run [LineageOS](https://lineageos.org) (the legacy of CyanogenMod).
* A case which will fold _both_ flat (for tablet) _and_ self-supporting (for lappable "laptop") use.
* A full keyboard, including alpha, number, function, and escape keys.
* Extensible storage -- 128 MB MicroSD minimum, preferably formattable in a non-VFAT filesystem (e.g., ext4, or other).
I've been using a [Samsung Tab A](http://www.samsung.com/us/product/productForward.do?groupUrlName=mobile&typeUrlName=galaxy-tab&mdlUrlName=SM-T550NZAAXAR&pageUrlName=specs) (model SM-T550) and [Logitech Type-S](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/type-s-keyboard-case-galaxy-tab-s) keyboard case. **I strongly discourage use of either.**
* The Tab A is locked down hard, and is at best poorly-supported for rooting or re-imaging.
* The Type S has a _fantastic_ form-factor, but the keyboard as falling apart from the start, and Logitech have an abysmal warranty-support programme. I'm now losing use of several additional keys, including 'w' (which I'm pasting in from elsewhere, the '3' and hashtag keys (I can ... sometimes ... get them to print after numerous presses). Additionally, there are several "special" keys with exceptionally poor positioning.
On why a tablet
============
Reading books and papers. Simply put: the tablet form-factor (portrait mode) blows away laptop _or_ desktop systems for reading materials. This compensates for the systems many, many, many other faults. A larger device (9-12") is preferred. At 9", the Tab A is pretty much _just_ large enough to comfortably read most (though not quite all) formatted printed material.
The availability of Termux, or other terminal-based environments (including apparently full Debian installs) means that a significant set of desktop, or at least _console_, Linux tools are available. This is tremendously useful, and in fact, is _more_ useful than the rest of the Android -ecosystem- _surveillance-capitalism system_ combined.
(This is also the chief reason Apple's iOS is not an acceptable substitute, thanks for asking.)
The size, weight, and battery life are also major winning factors. _In theory_ the ability to swap out keyboards as they fail should be as well, though in practice, the lack of standards for case fittings and keyboards has largely nixed this.
I've looked at e-ink devices, though most seem _less_ well-suited. Android's Kindle is right out. Kobo have some interesting larger devices, and there may be other ROMable book-readers. Something with a reader, **good content-management systems** (another major pain point), _and_ a commandline/console environment, plus web access, might work.
**It is possible that [I may be able to root and re-ROM the Tab A](https://www.skyneel.com/root-samsung-galaxy-tab-a-sm-t550).** In which case, replacing the tablet itself need not happen.
Cases: should convert without thought
==============================
The feature of the Type S case I appreciate most is that it literally takes less than a second to go from laptop-keyboard mode to tablet. Pick up and rotate tablet. (The Bluetooth connection isn't always quite so quick, but even that is _usually_ reliable). I cannot overemphasise the usefulness of this -- going from reading something to writing at the keyboard in an instant. This is where systems with free-floating, clamshell, or other keyboards are not nearly as useful. Logitech have a [slotted keyboard](https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126383&cm_re=bluetooth_tablet_keyboard-_-23-126-383-_-Product) and a well-reviewed [K380 keyboard](https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126430), but neither seem to fit into a case or have an accompanying case.
(I'm ... pretty disappointed generally with the whole mobile-device-accessories world. It's badly wanting for standardisation. For the most part, cases are _specifically_ paired with devices, to the point that one product viewed noted that it was matched to only _a specific variant of the Samsung Tab A 9.7" tablet_. Sigh.)
There's a [Logitech Universal Folio with keyboard for 9-10 inch tablets](https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA91J5Y38532&cm_re=logitech_Universal_Folio-_-34-954-066-_-Product) (pictured below), though it is poorly reviewed. Given past history, I'm not inclined to give Logitech further business. Though it looks as if it might work, and would also fit a likely future tablet. The mounting mechanism looks distinctly bulky though, and -possibly- _probably_ fragile.
So, this is my cry to the void....
@dredmorbius@toot.cat@kyle@librem.one FYI: My thinking is evolving. Tablets are notworth it, with the exception of e-ink book-readers / podcast light Web use.
Give me either a damned good, or useful-but-cheap, laptop, a suite of intelligently interoperating other devices, an e-ink reader, maybe a phone (smart or dumb) for mobility, and a fucking fantastic desktop.
https://joindiaspora.com/posts/880e5c403edb013918e1002590d8e506
joindiaspora.comThe case against tablets As I hunt for new computing hardware, I'm ...The case against tablets
As I hunt for new computing hardware, I'm coming to the conclusion that tablets are simply a mistake. And yes, strongly informed by using one as a primary device for 5 years.
An ultra-light laptop has better utility and vastly superior privacy.
The one killer function, reading documents, seems better served by an e-book reader.
(Podcasts and videos are other possible fits, the first is possible on at least some e-book readers.)
Looking strongly at Onyx Boox (10" or 13"), and Remarkable2. I'd prefer avoiding Android, but the Remarkable's utterly inexcusably small storage and lack of keyboard input are looking to be dealbreakers.
iPod's lack of a usable Linux shell similarly harshes my mellow.
(I need to develop this argument more, interested in others' thoughts.)
#tablets #DigitalDevices #laptops #FuckAndroid #FuckGoogle #FuckSamsung