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Ask HN: A PDA for 2024?

2 points by mbork_pl ↗ HN
I'd like to have a PDA, like in the old days. By a PDA, I mean a portable computer, fitting in a pocket, which would be capable of making notes etc. I'd like to be able to access a wifi network to sync files, but I don't need nor even want cellular connectivity. An important thing is that it should run neither Android nor iOS, so that there won't be a possibility of distractions like games. I'd also prefer it not to have a web browser (for the same reason). Ideally it would just boot into Emacs with Org mode;-).

I found https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole (btw, any opinions about it?), and it seems it would be exactly what I want, but are there other options?

5 comments

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simonblack
Palm incorporated a phone into their PDA just before the iPhone was released. Blackberry likewise. It's called 'convergent evolution' where two paths evolve towards a single solution. It's why both fish and whales have fins.

The only criterion you have specified that discounts about 98-99% of today's smartphones is "An important thing is that it should run neither Android nor iOS, so that there won't be a possibility of distractions like games."

That's easily fixed. You just delete the games.

mbork_pl
> That's easily fixed. You just delete the games.

I get your point, but this is like telling Odysseus not to pay attention to that siren song...

simonblack
When I was younger and watched movies like Star Wars that had 'computer targeting screens' in their fighters, I thought that computer games would be exciting.

When I was able to finally play those computer games a few years later, I found that they held no interest at all for me. I got a bigger kick out of programming in its own right.

But I am not the World ....

mbork_pl
To each their own. Frankly, I also don't have an issue with games. But a web browser is a different thing - there's always so much interesting stuff on the web...