Coffee Space – Coffee Space

Sustainable Laptop

Introduction

As a computer programmer, the only tool I find that I could not work without is a laptop. I used to use a desktop, but regular travel put an end to those golden days and modern laptop specifications are comparable to their desktop equivalents. Anything more than simply compiling or testing code would normally need to be run on some dedicated hardware anyway so that other projects can be worked on in the meantime.

Use of devices such as phones or tablets for programming has so far been a terrible experience, touch screens are not effective programming tools. The feedback from a keyboard allows for much higher rates of typing in my experience, although some younger generations could begin to challenge that notion. I distinctly remember that even with T9 keypads, some people were able to reach incredible speeds.

That said, a programming device I would be happy to use on a regular basis for programming would need (along with an indicator for how regularly they are used):

High Keyboard - For the purpose of typing anything as the main source of input.
High Battery - For ensuring that the device runs separate from a need to be plugged in.
High USB port - These are used regularly for attaching various devices, in general three or more USB 2.0 ports are needed.
High WiFi - This is the single greatest use of any kind of outbound connection the machine makes.
High Display - Seeing what the hell is going on.
High Computer - The main features of being a computer, i.e. CPU, RAM, GPU, etc. This is normally a single board within the machine with all parts embedded.
High Headphone port - Listening to music and blocking outside distractions.
Mid DC - Recharging the battery and keeping the machine alive whilst the battery is removed.
Mid Mouse - Organizing software on the machine.
Low Microphone - For online calls.
Low Webcamera - For online calls.
Low Ethernet - Connecting to hardware directly.
Low HDMI port - Giving presentations.

Because of how regularly they are used, I would be happy for the Low use devices to come in the form of attachments. Mid use I wouldn’t mind them being embedded or attached.

Problem Description

Our problem is not that laptops aren’t readily available and that they don’t come with most of the features we want, nor can they be considered too expensive for what they offer. The problem(s) I have with current laptops are:

They are fundamentally designed to have a limited life, despite most of their hardware still being usable far beyond their supported time.
It’s very difficult to upgrade or change the fundamental hardware as requirements change. If the requirements of my laptop suddenly change, it’s impossible for me to make the needed changes.
The systems are completely black box with no control over the software being run on the system.

Additionally, personally I would like to see:

Longer battery life - Reduce the power usage and increase the battery size. Laptop batteries are typically ultra small for no real reason.
Universal battery - Simply use a high power USB power bank as there is a large market currently for these, driving prices lower.
Airpane usable - Using a laptop comfortably on the tray has been an almost impossible task in the past, mostly because of the laptop sporting a large display and a mouse pad to match.
Security - Make sure that an airport stop and searches don’t reveal any important information contained on the machine, such as server private keys, etc. We also want to make it difficult for the device to be tampered with.

Existing Solutions

We’ll run through some positives and negatives of existing platforms:

Netbooks

Positives:

Any OS can be used for the device.
Compact form factor.
Relatively cheap.

Negatives:

Typically poor battery life.
Hardware is not open or changeable.

Chromebooks [1]

Positives:

Multiple choices in device available.
Compact form factor.
Very lightweight design.

Negatives:

Tied to Google OS, requiring continuous Cloud connection.
Relatively expensive (currently $249 or more) for what is being provided.
Under powered for programming tasks such as compiling.
Difficult to make modifications to the hardware.

PiTop [2] [3]

Positives:

Can swap main boards relatively easily, as long as it is approximately the same footprint.
Open source.
Has all required parts included.

Negatives:

Expensive (currently $319.99) for what is being provided. Even the original is $299.99.
Battery life could be much longer (currently 8 hours) given it’s low power nature.
Form factor doesn’t match the “aeroplane seat” requirement.

Proposed Solution

Design one from scratch.

Of course this will be a lot of work, but the results should prove worth it. Essentially we want the result to be something similar to the PiTop, but that is less expensive, has longer battery life and has a more convenient form factor.

Addressing our requirements made above:

High Keyboard - Bluetooth keyboard (with dongle occupying one USB port).
High Battery - A USB battery bank.
High USB port - Supplied via the board with USB extensions.
High WiFi - WiFi supported on the mainboard.
High Display - Via HDMI connection from the mainboard (will require HDMI and one USB connection).
High Computer - A low-end Linux board.
High Headphone port - Supplied via the main board.
Mid DC - Charge the battery bank through normal methods.
Mid Mouse - Bluetooth mouse (shared with keyboard).
Low Microphone - Bundled with camera.
Low Webcamera - USB add on camera (detached for most purposes).
Low Ethernet - USB add on Ethernet (detached for most purposes).
Low HDMI port - Unplug main output display for HDMI.

From this we have several requirements of the main board:

USB in - 5V supply into the board.
USB in/out - At least two USB ports.
WiFi - Onboard.
HDMI - Onboard.
3.5mm Jack - Onboard.

Conclusion

NOTE: To be continued…

References

[1] Link: https://www.google.com/chromebook/find-yours/

[2] Link: https://pi-top.com/products/pi-top

[3] Link: https://pi-top.com/products/pi-top-original/