Thread
SuperDuoHack Brainstorming Session =8-D
Still an Atom CPU. But yes, very nice looking. Personally I think I'm in love with the Toshiba Portege A600 I linked above. Core2Duo, mmmmMMmmm
Yep! The one you like is nice, but I'm on a tight budget, for now, and I'm trying to stay within the NetBook/Duo continuum. [
] ]'>I'm waiting to research the "best" 12" NetBook, it's only the screen's full 786 high pixelcount that made me fall in love! [
] ]'>There are a couple rather bad things about this unit.I saw my first 12" (nominal) NetBook today and I'm seriously smitten!
(snip)
According to their pre-sales tech support, it can be upgraded to 2 MB of RAM! :O
They blew the KBD design, it's almost identical to the Duo's. If they had made it almost edge to edge, like their 10.1" model, it would have been almost Full Sized!
When I save up the $ and the "perfect" 12" NetBook is released, I'm going to grab one! [
I'll give you just ONE GUESS where HP_Mini is headed right after I set up ubuntu on the 12" Netbook! }
1: Any netbook equipped with the Intel GMA 500 graphics processor (which this one is) is a sketchy choice for running Linux on. Google "GMA 500 Linux" and read up on it. Basically, the GMA 500 isn't at all related to the GMA 900/950/3100/et al cores used on most Intel chipsets, but instead is a hackjob licensed from PowerVR using *completely different* drivers that are neither completely open source nor integrated with the main Xorg source trees. The ubuntu "Netbook Remix" package does currently support GMA 500, but people are having constant issues with it if they step outside the lines *at all*. You're very likely to have problems if you, for instance, intend to drive an external monitor with it, and you may also find support seriously lagging when it comes time to upgrade.
2. The Atom 520N CPU is substantially slower than the A270 used in the first-round netbooks. (HP Mini, etc.) That combined with the bad graphics engine makes this machine "pretty darn slow". (Think "stuttering on YouTube" slow. Even under Windows.)
The screen and form factor are certainly nice. I drooled over this unit, or at least one of its twins, last time I went to Costco, but given the driver headaches and disappointing performance I've gotten out of my current "sexier then a plain Netbook-Netbook" (an HP 2133) I decided I'd been there, done that, and got the tee shirt already.
If you're on a budget really your best choice is to say "screw it" and get a 13 inch "Pentium Dual-Core"/Core Duo 2 machine (Or possibly one of those dual-core AMD systems, for that matter) and just do it right. The extra inch and two pounds of weight gets you a *lot* more computer for the dollar than either a Netbook or a super-sexy high-end ultraportable. (I've seen 13 inch dual-core laptops for less then $500 on sale, and these are units with 2-4GB of RAM and 300+ GB hard disks. It's no contest compared to a Netbook if you don't mind an extra pound or two of flab... which ironically is still in the same weight class as a Duo anyway.)
I'm not even considering this unit, it's the screen and its 768 vertical pixels that I love. I'll be waiting until the best of the 12" NetBooks (for running ubuntu) is released and the bugs are worked out before buying one.
I'm looking to keep the weight of the entire bag down to the 5 lb. +- weight of the Duo's carcass. :approve:
I can't wait to start hacking HP_Mini into a Duo's carcass! }
. . . but I will. :-/
Sweet vaporware! I'll be watching that closely!
thx, [
] ]'>I'm confused again... did you like the Asus because of the "whole package" and wanting to use it as such, or just for the screen as part of the mythic Duo hacking exercise? Every "11.6"-inch laptop I saw whilst looking was wider than a Duo 2300c. (11 inches plus, vs the 10.9 of the Duo. That specific Asus is listed as "11.3") Given how skinny the screen bezel is on the Asus the panel is *not* fitting in the Duo lid. Which I suppose means if you were serious about cutting the duo in half and stretching it with an insert you could do it, but... the question "why?" starts seriously raging in ones' ears. There are 10-11.1 inch panels with that resolution that would fit much more easily.
(Look at the Sony Vaio W series for instance. 10.1 inch 1366x768 is standard. For that matter the HP Mini 110 also offers a 10.1 inch 1366x768 panel option. According to HP's online store it costs a whopping $35 over the base price, meaning you could get Intel GMA 950 Netbook guts and a high res screen for $334 if Netbook-class CPU power is what you want.)
It seems like you've expressed a desire for more CPU power than an Atom, but if you're willing to settle you can get your hacking fodder for less then $350 shipped. If you really want to go whole-hog and make a matching Duo-Dock there is now an experimental Linux driver for Displaylink video cards, so simply by routing a USB port in place of the dock connector you should be able to duplicate everything a Duo dock does with the guts of a powered USB hub and a few widgets. (Displaylink video cards can be had for less than $60. Add a USB hard drive adapter and creatively stretch the floppy slot to accommodate a slot-loading DVD drive and you'll have a pretty complete and functioning Duo-doppelganger. Software setup will be a little tricky, I'll grant.)
Just a thought, anyway, if you really want to get this thing out of the "dreaming" stage and actually start cutting plastic.
You're reading too much into it, my old friend! [] ]'>
I'm MUCH impressed with the next step up in LCD size for NetBooks, the possibility of room for a full KBD, room for six cell bats and a weight tradeoff of just about one pound, which I can live with!
I've decided to wait for the "closest to perfect for the $," 12" NetBook with unquestionable ubuntu compatibility, while I save up my pennies for the purchase.
. . . and then HP_Mini will be parted out, becoming the new innards for one of my Duos . . . [}] ]'>
. . . preferably my very first (used of course) Duo 230! [] ]'>
pre - p.s. (?) you made it clear the situation was third down & waaay too far for a field goal . . . so I punted! :lol:
] ]'>I'm MUCH impressed with the next step up in LCD size for NetBooks, the possibility of room for a full KBD, room for six cell bats and a weight tradeoff of just about one pound, which I can live with!
I've decided to wait for the "closest to perfect for the $," 12" NetBook with unquestionable ubuntu compatibility, while I save up my pennies for the purchase.
. . . and then HP_Mini will be parted out, becoming the new innards for one of my Duos . . . [}
] ]'>. . . preferably my very first (used of course) Duo 230! [
] ]'>pre - p.s. (?) you made it clear the situation was third down & waaay too far for a field goal . . . so I punted! :lol:
Aaaah. Okay, then. ;^)
The HP Mini 311 might be worth a look. It has the new Nvidia ION chipset and the same 11.6 panel as that Asus. Of course, there's a long thread on the Ubuntu support forum that sort of reads like people have been having hit-and-miss luck with it. Unfortunately Linux tends to be that way on the bleeding edge.
The HP Mini 311 might be worth a look. It has the new Nvidia ION chipset and the same 11.6 panel as that Asus. Of course, there's a long thread on the Ubuntu support forum that sort of reads like people have been having hit-and-miss luck with it. Unfortunately Linux tends to be that way on the bleeding edge.
Big_Mini = Love at first sight! [] ]'>
Now back to pinching pennies . . . :I
Trash80toBIGuntuMini? [
)] ]'>
] ]'>Now back to pinching pennies . . . :I
Trash80toBIGuntuMini? [
)] ]'>
I just saw on HPs site that, under Linux, HP_Mini may support 2 GB of RAM! [] ]'>
http://hpshopping.edgesuite.net/www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/html/popup/more_about_netbooks.html
I'd just read in a review of HP_BigMini, that the 1 GB limit was an artificial WIN XP H3 limitation.
] ]'>http://hpshopping.edgesuite.net/www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/html/popup/more_about_netbooks.html
I'd just read in a review of HP_BigMini, that the 1 GB limit was an artificial WIN XP H3 limitation.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who do they think they are at HP, Apple? They put the same freakin' 92% of a real KBD on the 311 as on my precious HP_Mini! Methinks they're all in cahoots to protect "real laptop" sales from the NetBook onslaught.
Hobble the low end to "protect" the high end! Bleh!!!
Who do they think they are at HP, Apple? They put the same freakin' 92% of a real KBD on the 311 as on my precious HP_Mini! Methinks they're all in cahoots to protect "real laptop" sales from the NetBook onslaught.
Hobble the low end to "protect" the high end! Bleh!!!
Or it's because two lines of keyboards would be more expensive, and this is just to keep costs down.
Now it's time for you to stop reading my mind! Well . . . almost . . . [] ]'> . . . I was just going to post that; with product cycles pushing the one year limit, it makes good sense to me to use the same KBD/tooling in at least two incremental product revs. Then "upgrade" the KBD for the next cycle, getting more product revisions out quickly with all the latest doo-dads, gizmos, and whatever else each mfr. can crib from their competitor's last successful intro.
It's a FINE time to be saving $, while waiting for the intro of the "perfect" NetBook! [] ]'>
] ]'> . . . I was just going to post that; with product cycles pushing the one year limit, it makes good sense to me to use the same KBD/tooling in at least two incremental product revs. Then "upgrade" the KBD for the next cycle, getting more product revisions out quickly with all the latest doo-dads, gizmos, and whatever else each mfr. can crib from their competitor's last successful intro.It's a FINE time to be saving $, while waiting for the intro of the "perfect" NetBook! [
] ]'>
I realise you are now heading in a different direction, but I stumbled across another candidate MiniITX motherboard with some interesting features. Posting it here mostly for my own future reference. :rambo:
COMMELL LV-67
COMMELL LV-67
Apparently it's hackintoshable. Out of the box, it supports one LCD (LVDS) and (/or?) one VGA display, which is nice. Firewire (IEEE 1394). The real treat is the pair of Mini-PCI slots, which would make the docking hack mentioned earlier possible.
Great site! Don't forget the other two hacks that've only been mentioned in passing! [
] ]'>When the prices on some of those Microscopic/Slot Equipped Boards become affordable, one of them is definitely going to discover a tidy little home prepared for it within the cavernous interior of my CPQP2™ "peripheral hack" for HP_Mini and a wide aspect HD LVDS Screen to replace the 17" normal aspect HP VGA LCD that's fitted in there now! [}
] ]'>. . . and let's not forget my evil intents re: a Certified DOA Macintosh Luggable and Numeric Keypad for said cadaver! [
)] ]'>
Ah, that'd be the same Portable you were once planning to gut and fill with Duo/Duo Dock parts?
Nope, that was my NASA Property Plated Working Unit, which I've subsequently put on a, custom made, prominent display shelf in the living room 68k/PPC/9.2DA/HP_Mini/ubuntuPlayStation™ and will likely never feel the bite of the RYOBA. The Duo Hackage wouldn't have altered any of the plastics save what was needed to fit the display. All other mods would have been done to a "Carrier Board" replacement MoBo, leaving that Luggable Restorable.
My Duo-centric hacking is on the back burner again until it's time to disassemble HP_Mini or if I decide to finish up my PB100/2300c/1400KBD equipped hybrid . . . or push the Intel/ubuntu/LCD limits on my Very FIRST NoteBook/LapTop! [}
] ]'>
How about seven TI OMAPs on one board? )
Not cheap - $229 + $149-$219 per CPU board
) Not cheap - $229 + $149-$219 per CPU board
Another couple of suggestions that came up in IRC (thanks ulterior_modem)
http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-openrdcdetails.aspx
http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/p-33-guruplug-display.aspx
http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-openrdcdetails.aspx
http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/p-33-guruplug-display.aspx
I've just come up with the latest and greatest candidate for the SuperDuoHack™ to end all DuoHacks! The iPad 2! [] ]'>
Hack an iPad 2 into the lid of a Trackball upgraded 2300c or other Color/Thick-Lid Duo who's opening might be better enlarged to the iPad spec. Whomp up a USB Controller interface for the spherically correct pointing device and key-travel correct Real KBD (OK! decent rev Duo type KBD) with a USB2 Tray Loader DVD Player Replacing the Docking Door and sundry other goodies housed in teh empty expansion bay beneath the reinforced KBD!
Handy TouchScreen UI upgrade thrown in for free! }
Just gotta get an OS 9.2.2 emulator past the Apple Store's knuckle draggin' Gestapo Guards! :
HEH! :approve:
] ]'>Hack an iPad 2 into the lid of a Trackball upgraded 2300c or other Color/Thick-Lid Duo who's opening might be better enlarged to the iPad spec. Whomp up a USB Controller interface for the spherically correct pointing device and key-travel correct Real KBD (OK! decent rev Duo type KBD) with a USB2 Tray Loader DVD Player Replacing the Docking Door and sundry other goodies housed in teh empty expansion bay beneath the reinforced KBD!
Handy TouchScreen UI upgrade thrown in for free! }
Just gotta get an OS 9.2.2 emulator past the Apple Store's knuckle draggin' Gestapo Guards! :
HEH! :approve:
I've gone over the estimated sizes of HP_Mini's components and the 210/230 Duo's added cubic for expansion.
I think I've figured a way to mod a 1400 KBD and the Duo's plastics to juuuuuust fit as a replacement for the Duo's SpongeBoard and HP_Mini's Chickletesque KBD.
Hack requirements:
__Adapt the ADB Trackball to HP-Mini friendly PS2->USB interface - I've got an extra converter cable, but it's a tad large.
__Figure out if I can wedge HP_Mini's MoBo between the TrackBall and a compatible slot or tray loading DVD
______ along with an I/O Panel to replace the Duo's Tap Door jammies!
We'll see! }
I think I've figured a way to mod a 1400 KBD and the Duo's plastics to juuuuuust fit as a replacement for the Duo's SpongeBoard and HP_Mini's Chickletesque KBD.
Hack requirements:
__Adapt the ADB Trackball to HP-Mini friendly PS2->USB interface - I've got an extra converter cable, but it's a tad large.
__Figure out if I can wedge HP_Mini's MoBo between the TrackBall and a compatible slot or tray loading DVD
______ along with an I/O Panel to replace the Duo's Tap Door jammies!
We'll see! }
you could use a brick of a 5300? enough room for china in there. lol.
Of course, it isnt a duo.....
Of course, it isnt a duo.....
Nope, the 5300ce is slated for the Super5300ce™ - 180 MHz ProcSwap-n-Clock Chip Hack.
Because it's better suited to a "Semi-Stock" MacHack than is the 2300c: the PCMCIA Card Cage is already present on board, the more browsable LCD real estate, better KBD and some cool accessory conquests were enough to give the nod to my 5300ce pair for the proc-swap candidates.
HP_Mini has a very thin LCD Lid, as do the non-color Duos, as well as their being 68030 based and spherically correct in their pointing devices.
I've been stuck on the notion of creating a "killer" 2300c for ten years now, but an ATOM powered, 4GB RAM, 16GB SSD COLORhack of the bottom of the barrel Duo 210 booting ubuntu, OS-X, and running OS 9/whatever under emulation . . .
. . . sounds like a winning combo to me! }
Besides, it'll keep the Duo/G3 hackin' dream alive and kickin' in the ole noggin' for a while yet!)
Because it's better suited to a "Semi-Stock" MacHack than is the 2300c: the PCMCIA Card Cage is already present on board, the more browsable LCD real estate, better KBD and some cool accessory conquests were enough to give the nod to my 5300ce pair for the proc-swap candidates.
HP_Mini has a very thin LCD Lid, as do the non-color Duos, as well as their being 68030 based and spherically correct in their pointing devices.
I've been stuck on the notion of creating a "killer" 2300c for ten years now, but an ATOM powered, 4GB RAM, 16GB SSD COLORhack of the bottom of the barrel Duo 210 booting ubuntu, OS-X, and running OS 9/whatever under emulation . . .
. . . sounds like a winning combo to me! }
Besides, it'll keep the Duo/G3 hackin' dream alive and kickin' in the ole noggin' for a while yet!
)
Why ADB->PS2->USB, rather than simply ADB->USB?
Or alternatively, tap the pulses directly off the trackball's rotary encoders and use a USB HID IC or kit?
Or alternatively, tap the pulses directly off the trackball's rotary encoders and use a USB HID IC or kit?
ya, you have a point. Then you can create a scan matrix MCU that scans the original keyboard and outputs PS/2 or USB interface.
The 1400's KBD is a simple switch matrix output, not ADB or anything else. That'll likely be connected to a USB KBD's Controller with a ROM in between to translate the output of the KeySwitch Matrix to match the expected input of the KBD Controller. The EVIL"Caps Lock" setting will be mapped to my embedded TAB/PageNav/NumPad Cursor Key Hack layout.
ISTR some circuit design available online, somewhere or other, for converting Mac Mouse/TrackBall blips to PS2 output, but I could be mistaken.
I could use one of my ADB -> USB cables for the mouse, but they're HUGE as compared to some of my PS2 -> USB converters and I'd still have the same KeySwitch Matrix output problem to deal with.
Could you guys flesh out what your suggestions might entail? :?:
I've been mulling over a universal KeySwitch Matrix Converter for about 15 years now, the first rev would have used LEDs (as opposed to the simple diodes Lancaster suggested in one of the "Cookbooks." set on an X-Y matrix, they'd light up when any given input combination was pressed and then the ROM(s) would convert that to whatever I wanted for hacking any given KBD Controller. It was going to sit under the clear plexi desktop in one of the odd shaped sections created by the "Erector Set" structure of the rolling workstation.
ISTR some circuit design available online, somewhere or other, for converting Mac Mouse/TrackBall blips to PS2 output, but I could be mistaken.
I could use one of my ADB -> USB cables for the mouse, but they're HUGE as compared to some of my PS2 -> USB converters and I'd still have the same KeySwitch Matrix output problem to deal with.
Could you guys flesh out what your suggestions might entail? :?:
I've been mulling over a universal KeySwitch Matrix Converter for about 15 years now, the first rev would have used LEDs (as opposed to the simple diodes Lancaster suggested in one of the "Cookbooks." set on an X-Y matrix, they'd light up when any given input combination was pressed and then the ROM(s) would convert that to whatever I wanted for hacking any given KBD Controller. It was going to sit under the clear plexi desktop in one of the odd shaped sections created by the "Erector Set" structure of the rolling workstation.
The actual ball of the trackball assembly rests on two rotary encoders, one each for X and Y. Each encoder outputs a raw pulse signal to indicate movement forwards or backwards. If you can tap those signals directly, there are plenty of ICs or kits out there which will convert those signals directly to a USB mouse output.
BTW, I briefly checked the dimensions of the 12" iBook G3 (white poly) and 12" Powerbook on everymac - the keyboard off one of those might just fit a Duo
YMMV
Project update:
The SuperDuoHack project just received an infusion of Raspberry Jam.
As an aside:
Methinks the BabyPB reverse picture frame hack might be changing direction, but putting the rest of the 2300c into my first PB will likely prevail. The LCD is already in the PowerBook 100 lid. That hack is in the slow cooker, well behind the back-burner projects.
BabyPB already has the 1400 KBD upgrade in place, I've been looking at using one for the SuperDuo as well. Now that I've got extra (extra-nasty) 2300c plastics I've been looking at it on and off. It's a real possibility, requiring some key cap filing, but well worth a shot.
The SuperDuoHack project just received an infusion of Raspberry Jam.
As an aside:
Methinks the BabyPB reverse picture frame hack might be changing direction, but putting the rest of the 2300c into my first PB will likely prevail. The LCD is already in the PowerBook 100 lid. That hack is in the slow cooker, well behind the back-burner projects.
BabyPB already has the 1400 KBD upgrade in place, I've been looking at using one for the SuperDuo as well. Now that I've got extra (extra-nasty) 2300c plastics I've been looking at it on and off. It's a real possibility, requiring some key cap filing, but well worth a shot.