The dream device

I have this dream that I can have all my computing down to a single device. One portable device that can replace my desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone.

To do this, I want a device that is:

• Ultra-portable. You can hold it with one hand, fits in a sling or hip pack, and can even slide into a pants pocket.
• Media consumption. Screen is appropriately sized for watching Jellyfin, YouTube, Netflix, etc. while relaxing on the sofa or at night in bed.
• Lightweight EDC. Works as a mini laptop, similar in size to GPDPocket devices. I can carry it with me without taking up too much room in my back and have/connect to a keyboard + mouse/trackpad.
• Work apps. I can access what I need to run my business. Google Workspace apps, invoicing, accept payments, messaging, and maps + navigation.
• Camera. I can take pictures and videos of my kids and share them with my family.
• Dockable. Can connect to external screen(s) and be a full desktop interface. This works for both at a desk or mobile to a portable monitor with bluetooth keyboard + mouse.
• Low power. Has a battery built-in and sips power under normal computing tasks. I can easily charge it from any USB port (not fast charging, but can charge) with “all day” (I know, subjective) battery life. Charging is fast.
• Single cable. USB-C for power, display, peripherals, and storage.
• Expandable storage. Can connect to USB storage, while also having an internal slot for any drive (SD, m.2, 2.5").
• Modern Linux desktop. Not based on what distro, but uses modern tooling. Docker, Podman, Flatpak, Snap, Distrobox, etc. are all possible.
• Linux virtual machines. Again, not distro specific. Its just possible to run multiple virtual machines.
• Light gaming. Connects to my existing gaming accounts (Steam, GOG, Humble) and can play my preferred games which are games like OlliOlli, BroForce, Banished, and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. Playing PSX and PS2 retro games, too.
• Basics are performant. Web browsing, web apps, simple spreadsheets, writing notes, emails, messaging, ssh into the homelab, etc. all work well.

This list looks long, but I don’t have complicated requirements.

I don’t do coding/development. For example, I’m not creating Android and iOS apps, creating videos for them, and collaborating with others in the development and distribution of those apps.

I don’t play complicated games. For example, I don’t play the latest AAA game, livestream it to Twitch, and create clips for my YouTube channel.

I don’t use A.I. tools. For example, I don’t run a local Ollama instance and query it for projects.

I don’t do video or audo production. For example, I don’t have a lifestyle YouTube channel and also post clips to TikTok.

Almost there

We are so, so close to this convergence reality.

My Chromebook almost hits all this points. It doesn’t have internal expandable storage and it is not pocketable. That’s how close it is.

My Moto phone is close. It can’t be docked and create a desktop style interface and can’t run Linux apps or virtual machines. Still, very close.

With Android 16 introducting the Terminal app that can run Linux containers I can see a device that does all of this on the horizon. In fact, there are a few that are 95% of the way there.

I’ve been looking at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Since it has Dex mode, it can do everything on this list except the Linux stuff. However, if it gets the Android Terminal app, it will. At the moment it looks like it won’t get it due to the Snapdragon CPU and how it handles virtual machines. It also doesn’t have expandable internal storage. It’s also $2,000 USD.

Yet, we are so close. It truly feels like we are a few more iterations away from finding the best convergence device and I will be the first in line.

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