this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024
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Single Board Computers

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Is there a real credit-card sized computer? Something that easily fits in a wallet or pocket and has a user interface? (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Rasberry Pis and similar are sometimes sold as credit-card sized, but they are not portable, really, have huge Ethernet ports and no display or keyboard. Those are on the too-big side for what i am looking for.

In the other hand, you could say that SIM cards or USB devices are technically computers, but they lack a user interface. They are too small.

Is there something small with a usuable display and input method; something that looks like a calculator or tiny smartphone? Does not need a battery (although that's a plus). Does not need WiFi or 5G (although that's plus). Needs some standard method to communicate with the outside world (USB, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, ...). Should easily fit in a pocket, wallet, purse.

Ideally something that can run a minimal Linux or Android?

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yes, they are called phones.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Yes, a generic Android phone would do, but I was looking for something smaller and cheaper; more like a feature phone. And then i don't need the capability to make phone calls.

In fact, I was looking to replace smartphone apps with somethings that's not a phone. Why? Some people just don't like phones. Some places don't allow phones.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

They are not intended to be a finished product, you are supposed to add your own display and keyboard. If you want really portable start with the Pi zero which doesn't have the big ports, then slap on a small display and keyboard of your choice. There are small kits like these https://ameridroid.com/collections/all-products/products/odroid-go-advance for example. There are also a few different ones with blackberry keyboards https://liliputing.com/beepberry-is-a-79-hackable-pocket-computer-kit-with-a-blackberry-keyboard/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/05/its-a-raspberry-pi-a-blackberry-keyboard-and-a-battery-its-the-beepberry/ (when blackberry quit making hardware they surplussed a bunch of keyboards)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Cool idea with the bb Keyboards.

[–] d3Xt3r 7 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Unihertz makes a bunch of tiny Android phones, which are about the size of a credit card (if you ignore the thickness).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

They cute

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Yes, that's the kind of hardware i was looking for. Of course, thinner would be cooler, and i could compromise on the specs..

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Technically this fits your requirements...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

That's exactly what i had hoped to find. Maybe not for the first prototype, but then...

[–] TCB13 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Nice use of the word "fits" :P

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I have a small laptop by the name of GPD WIN 2. It's about the size of a Nintendo DS, touchscreen, keyboard, one USB-A and USB-C. Might suit your needs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Larger than what i was looking for, but looks like a powerful and fun device.

[–] Scronglus 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Consider the cardputer Link. It's intended for hobbyists who are willing and able to write programs for it but the hardware is roughly what you described.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Sexy and very tempting at the price tag. For protyping that's ideal and it demos what's possible.