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Handheld General-Purpose PCs - Do They Exist?

A

Altus7

Junior Member
What I need is a device that can run normal desktop operative systems like linux mint or windows 7 and at the same time be less than 14x8 CENTIMETERS large. Any ideas?

I guess the hardware requirement of general-purpose OS and programs is a x86 or x86-64 CPU, but would anything else be required of the hardware for it to work?

Smartphones fit the size requirement, but are there any smartphones on which you can install a general-purpose OS and run desktop programs?
 
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If you use Windows 7 or Linux Mint then it would be hard to use a touchscreen. So you want a non-touchscreen computer that's less than 14x8cm? A Lenovo Yoga meets this:
http://shop.lenovo.com/products/us/l...-datasheet.pdf

just install Windows 7 over Windows 8. Or Linux Mint.

A MacBook Air 11 also works - and install whatever OS you want.
 
I was thinking there could be driver issues with either of those reverted back to a desktop OS, vshah... but they are good suggestions too.
 
pm said:
I was thinking there could be driver issues with either of those reverted back to a desktop OS, vshah... but they are good suggestions too.
Click to expand...

The Venue Pro and the Surface Pro both have regular desktop OS.
 
pm said:
If you use Windows 7 or Linux Mint then it would be hard to use a touchscreen. So you want a non-touchscreen computer that's less than 14x8cm? A Lenovo Yoga meets this:
http://shop.lenovo.com/products/us/l...-datasheet.pdf

just install Windows 7 over Windows 8. Or Linux Mint.

A MacBook Air 11 also works - and install whatever OS you want.
Click to expand...

Are you thinking in inches? Cause both of those look tablet-sized to me.

I used to have an OQO 02 UMPC which was pretty great, but it's old and weak now with it's Via C7M ULV 1.6 GHz x86 CPU.
 
You're asking for a full desktop OS in a device the size of an average - not even a phablet sized - phone. There are a few decent Windows phones, but they aren't a full desktop OS and as far as I know you can't install your own OS (like Linux) on them.
 
I completely missed the size requested of 14 x 8 centimeters in the OP.

Your best bet would probably be some 'hack' with installing Ubuntu Touch or something similar on your favorite late model Android phone.

Look here for info: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/Devices
 
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What about just using remote desktop software on a phone?
You can remote into whatever OS you want then without worrying about hacking Linux onto your phone.
 
there are some Intel x86 SoC phones out there that can theoretically run full windows*, but a full release of the drivers/firmware/source code is needed to make it happen. Intel is reluctant to tick off microsoft, which in turn doesn't like unpaid abuse of its software, so it is unlikely to ever supply the required info.

* there's the Lenovo K900, ZTE Geek and I think some recent Asus models; I wouldn't recommend trying to run windows 8 on anything slower than the dual-core 2 Ghz version, but in theory the single core Motorola Droid Razr I could too
 
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Once upon a time before smartphones took over the world I was considering getting one of these Toshiba Lifebooks:

Small_Fujitsu_Lifebook_810U_Laptop.jpg


Thankfully that never happened.
 
Sorry, I mixed up centimeters and inches too. 🙁

I'm an engineer, I should know better.
 
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How could anyone actually use a phone-sized PC? Heck hitting the X's on a Venue in desktop mode is hard enough at 8 or whatever inches.
 
Rdmkr said:
there are some Intel x86 SoC phones out there that can theoretically run full windows*, but a full release of the drivers/firmware/source code is needed to make it happen. Intel is reluctant to tick off microsoft, which in turn doesn't like unpaid abuse of its software, so it is unlikely to ever supply the required info.

* there's the Lenovo K900, ZTE Geek and I think some recent Asus models; I wouldn't recommend trying to run windows 8 on anything slower than the dual-core 2 Ghz version, but in theory the single core Motorola Droid Razr I could too
Click to expand...

This is what I've found to be the most promising of the stuff I've been able to find on my own. That is getting a x86 smartphone which Intel seems to be backing right now

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/smartphones/smartphones.html

Isn't it up to the manufacturer of the phone to actually release necessary driver hardware-info, and not Intel since they don't make the phones?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_(system_on_chip)

When do you think that something like the 14nm Broxton/Goldmont will actually come out in a smartphone though?
 
shortylickens said:
The photo you posted clearly says Fujitsu.
And that thing looks horribly uncomfortable. I'd rather have one of those tablet laptops.


They come up with lots of weird stuff:

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/fuj...-laptop-tablet-camera-phone-concept-50006717/
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I know, but back when I wanted to get one it was the Toshiba lifebook, looked exactly the same. Searching Fujitsu all I find are normal sized laptops. Anyway, the point is a hand held x86 Windows PC is not a good idea.
 
Nokia N900 runs a flavor of Linux, and I know a lot of people have gotten linux apps to work on it...its a bit dated by todays tech, but maybe worth a look?
 
Red Storm said:
I know, but back when I wanted to get one it was the Toshiba lifebook, looked exactly the same. Searching Fujitsu all I find are normal sized laptops. Anyway, the point is a hand held x86 Windows PC is not a good idea.
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no it sucks.

I dont mind those little mini-pc's but the idea behind them is you hook up full sized monitor and keyboard.
 
poofyhairguy said:
How could anyone actually use a phone-sized PC? Heck hitting the X's on a Venue in desktop mode is hard enough at 8 or whatever inches.
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No kidding. I'm pretty sure what the OP *thinks* he would need this for won't actually work out.

Legit options: 8" Windows tab, Note 3.
 
s44 said:
No kidding. I'm pretty sure what the OP *thinks* he would need this for won't actually work out.

Legit options: 8" Windows tab, Note 3.
Click to expand...

I have already used regular Windows 7 on my OQO 5" UMPC with a stylus pen and it worked just fine. Using the thumb or any finger has never been my intention.

8" windows tab is not a legit option since it doesn't fit in my pocket (the 14x8cm size requirement)
 
I saw one at Costco yesterday, Dell maybe?


we also use to have some kind of ruggedized tablet that ran XP at a previous job but hell if i can remember what it was called now.


edit: oh, 8" is too big? damn...good luck buddy...
 
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Red Storm said:
Once upon a time before smartphones took over the world I was considering getting one of these Toshiba Lifebooks:

Small_Fujitsu_Lifebook_810U_Laptop.jpg


Thankfully that never happened.
Click to expand...

the superior alternative to that is all this bay trail tablet stuff. a mini screen like that would be really unpleasant. toshiba used to make a minicomputer like that with an extra wide widescreen
 
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