We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
I was all excited that perhaps Mercedes had found a GRiD Compass! It’s on my irrational old computers I want list.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/amp/nasas-original-laptop-the-grid-compass-2650280048
I wonder if my Tadpole sparcstation laptop still works.
You’d have to run Linux, but there’s also the MNT Pocket Reform for that post-apocalyptic vibe
https://shop.mntre.com/products/mnt-pocket-reform
If you want to have a little fun, don’t limit your choices to what’s for sale in the US. About 3 years ago I had a very specific set of components I wanted and nobody combined them the way I wanted as far as the US market, but Lenovo made exactly what I wanted for Germany, Poland, and Romania. Got it from amazon.de in I think only 2 days and cost about $500 less than comparable laptops here.
If you’re not demanding of performance or space, a Samsung 8″ tablet and bluetooth keyboard is a perfectly functional combo for basic use. I used one around Europe for three weeks last winter. Perfectly serviceable for email, web browsing, etc.
Seeing your proclivities for older, cheaper, and durable IT and you need a real laptop I’d strongly suggest you look for a 3-4 year old Thinkpad X1. Thin, light, capable, and with one of the best laptop keyboards ever made. As for durability, mine is 9 years old and still running great. Of course YMMV. When I eventually upgrade it, I plan to do so with another X1. You can pick up very capable machines off ebay for $500 – $1K. Or just hunt around the Galpin offices. I’m sure there’s an unused laptop floating around there somewhere that you could acquire.
I’m not one to recommend modern hardware, most of my PCs are around 10 years old, but also because I absolutely refuse to work on flights. Flying coach already sucks enough as it is, I’m not about to compound that suckage.
I had one of these 10″ Toshiba mini laptops passed down from my father, running windows 7 https://www.ebay.com/itm/326238832327 it was tiny but completely useless in every other way.
At home I have a big-ass gaming laptop I bought in 2015 that is basically just a mobile desktop. It does not move from where it sits on my desk any more. I have upgraded its RAM and hard drives to keep it going.
On the couch on on the go I use the 100-dollarest 11-inch netbook I was able to buy at the store on sale (an HP 11 Stream), which I then wiped and installed Arch onto so I can use it without overstraining its little systems (it doesn’t even have an in-built fan to move air through it). I love my little manlet of a laptop.
I would rather spend my money on motorcycle parts.
Something small but stylish and not an Apple? How about a sweet Dell Inspiron Mini!?
Intel atom processor let’s it run for hours(which it will need a couple of just to boot)
2GB of Ram! That’s literally thousands of rams!
250GB HDD! Why have a solid drive? That sounds heavy, this HDD just spins and spins most of the time. As for more space, most things are the cloud now anyways right? Perfect for airplanes cause they fly through clouds!
Also you can swap the lids to like zebra prints and what not, so stylish!
A tablet with an auxiliary keyboard would be inexpensive, lightweight, and functional.
If you get a tablet case that has a slim carrying strap, you can hook that over the tray-table-latch-hook dealie on the back of the seat in front of you. This will elevate the tablet – basically hanging it like artwork on a wall – and leave the tray space available for the keyboard. This should allow you to see both simultaneously.
Or you can search eBay for a Toshiba Libretto. For under $300 you can have a compact laptop with your choice of Windows 95 or Windows 98, but battery life may be somewhat limited. 🙂
How about a folding keyboard with an integrated mini-pc?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1482776406/lunar-2-in-1-foldable-keyboard-and-mini-pc-for-all-your-needs%20F6RJJ0
Just need to add a display. VR goggles would be perfect!
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804826645775.html?src=bing&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=true&isdl=y&albch=shopping&acnt=135095331&isdl=y&albcp=555014097&albag=1295225841515632&slnk=&trgt=pla-4584551179348577&plac=&crea=80951670505926&netw=o&device=c&mtctp=e&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=PA_Bing_US_PLA_PC_%E9%AB%98%E5%AE%A2%E5%8D%95_ECPC_20240710_AESupply&utm_content=%E9%AB%98%E5%AE%A2%E5%8D%95&utm_term=monitor%20goggles%20for%20pc&msclkid=8aac557469d11b7e03a83267a6e09519&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa