I'm presently writing on a Surface 3 w/ x7-Z8700 atom that's running Ubuntu Noble and vanilla 6.8 kernel. They're about $50. Everything works rather well (including gfx/audio/sleep/hibernate), except the camera, which I haven't bothered with. I'm quite happy w/ it tbh.
One thing to note w/ this model is you'll need the OEM keyboard to install linux since there's only one usb port; which will be required by the install media. Once you've installed though you can use any bluetooth or usb keyboard you want. Another thing is any micro-usb charger should work but I wouldn't rely on just 1amp, go w/ a 3amp.
An older ThinkPad is a great choice. Sometimes when a company goes out of business or upgrade, they dump a bunch of laptops and you can get used ThinkPads on the cheap.
1. Kobo ereaders are dirt cheap at thrift stores (and run Linux)
2. KOreader is simple to install (I have done this)
3. KOReader has a text editor + terminal built in, and has a setting to switch to USB-OTG mode, which should allow you to plug in a USB-C hub, and a mechanical keyboard.
Boom! Internet connected e-ink writing tablet with excellent battery life, and the best keyboard you have, for ~$5-100.
I am using CudaText [0] with the Distraction Free mode [1] to have a full screen editor "always on" the weekend when I write (on Windows 11, but it should work on Linux).
There is also a full screen mode plugin on GVim [2] but I haven't tested it.
Used n4120 hp stream 11 maybe, should be sub-$100 and more than 8 hours battery. I don't know how sleep/wake works from a text mode TTY machine if that's what you mean.
That's a fair point, although I'd just cross them out and write a clean version afterwards. Writing with pen is faster and easier than anything else, I have found that out. I can easily draw schemes and charts at any place, any page. It's just a lot easier than using a computer -- unless I'm using a pad and write on it.
Old thinkpads are usually pretty good.
If you're looking at a chromebook I suggest doing research on the specific model first. Esp. by looking here... https://docs.mrchromebox.tech/docs/supported-devices.html
Old MS Surface tablets are also decent options IMHO... https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supporte...
I'm presently writing on a Surface 3 w/ x7-Z8700 atom that's running Ubuntu Noble and vanilla 6.8 kernel. They're about $50. Everything works rather well (including gfx/audio/sleep/hibernate), except the camera, which I haven't bothered with. I'm quite happy w/ it tbh.
One thing to note w/ this model is you'll need the OEM keyboard to install linux since there's only one usb port; which will be required by the install media. Once you've installed though you can use any bluetooth or usb keyboard you want. Another thing is any micro-usb charger should work but I wouldn't rely on just 1amp, go w/ a 3amp.
Anyway, happy hunting!
An older ThinkPad is a great choice. Sometimes when a company goes out of business or upgrade, they dump a bunch of laptops and you can get used ThinkPads on the cheap.
I haven’t actually tried step three yet, but:
1. Kobo ereaders are dirt cheap at thrift stores (and run Linux)
2. KOreader is simple to install (I have done this)
3. KOReader has a text editor + terminal built in, and has a setting to switch to USB-OTG mode, which should allow you to plug in a USB-C hub, and a mechanical keyboard.
Boom! Internet connected e-ink writing tablet with excellent battery life, and the best keyboard you have, for ~$5-100.
I am using CudaText [0] with the Distraction Free mode [1] to have a full screen editor "always on" the weekend when I write (on Windows 11, but it should work on Linux).
There is also a full screen mode plugin on GVim [2] but I haven't tested it.
[0] https://cudatext.github.io/ [1] https://wiki.freepascal.org/CudaText#Full-screen_mode [2] https://github.com/lambdalisue/vim-fullscreen
Used n4120 hp stream 11 maybe, should be sub-$100 and more than 8 hours battery. I don't know how sleep/wake works from a text mode TTY machine if that's what you mean.
> I don't know how sleep/wake works from a text mode TTY machine if that's what you mean.
Usually, I expect, by just issuing a command... e.g. `systemctl suspend`
Depending on what you consider to be a good keyboard, an older MacBook Pro or air? One of the pre-butterfly models or a last-gen intel machine.
Without Linux, just for writing: https://valentine.getfreewrite.com/
I agree with a couple of other commentators. Why not a notebook or a typewriter? Looks like you just want to write.
Obviously I can't speak for op, but... spellcheck and copy/paste alone make paper more difficult to work with.
Basically, writing involves a lot of re-writing and revision. Electronic documents make that easier.
That's a fair point, although I'd just cross them out and write a clean version afterwards. Writing with pen is faster and easier than anything else, I have found that out. I can easily draw schemes and charts at any place, any page. It's just a lot easier than using a computer -- unless I'm using a pad and write on it.
It certainly depends on the kind of writing too. Very technical writing should benefit from a computer. Poetry... probably not as much.
Either a typewriter or a paper notebook
i highly recommend looking at an alphasmart neo or neo2. it’s a “can’t live without” tool in my daily life.
used chromebooks like c720p, but usually older laptops do not have excellent battery life
Manual typewriter?