Mecha Comet – Open Modular Linux Handheld Computer
mecha.so52 points by Realman78 3 days ago
52 points by Realman78 3 days ago
So... what's the OS situation? From a glance at https://github.com/mecha-org/linux -> https://github.com/mecha-org/linux/commits/imx/lf-6.12.20/ it looks like they're starting from a 6mo-old kernel (6.12.20 vs current LTS 6.12.67 and current stable 6.18.7). Is there any reason to expect upstreaming or even just consistent updates, or is this yet another device that will ship with an old-ish kernel and never get updated again?
This is why I went with a Hackberry Pi CM5 [1]. I insert the CM5 I want to, and there's that.
It comes with a good, proven BB keyboard. No option for GPIO pins or gamepad module, but I don't need such anyway. Instead, what I have in it is a USB hub which fits nicely in the side.
Unfortunately, the RPi CM I had lying around were CM4 with eMMC or CM5 w/o WiFi/BT. So I bought a new CM5, with 16 GB RAM. That was end of last summer. I'm not sure I'd bother now, given the RAM prices which surely affected CM5 prices. Actually, I should probably sell those for profit, since they're not doing anything.
Stumbled across this thing a while back and thought it looked really cool but I have never been able to come up with an idea for how I would use it so I haven't pledged.
I want to want it but I fear it would just sit on my desk. Does anyone have cool ideas for uses?
On the bottom of the website, several use cases are mentioned. It is a fairly robust list of examples.
Anything with USB-A is neat with this type of device. For example, a LimeSDR USB would work (even a uSDR for M.2, though I'd wait for the successor).
For Kali, I sport a GPD Pocket 2, and that works well, but I'm in the process of switching that to my Hackberry Pi CM5.
Still, I bought that end of last summer. I honestly would not buy any computer right now. The RAM prices are simply insane.
It’s not exactly cool but mobile media server and tool box. Knowing I have tools I can trust in my pocket is nice. Being able to travel and watch my shows without setting up a vpn is double nice.
This project is currently seeking funds (and is funded) on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mecha-systems/mecha-com...
(and the super early bird rewards are all gone)
I might be interested if I weren't still waiting on the Soulcircuit Pilet to ship....
I am planning to build something similar as a hobby project except my idea is that Claude Code runs everything on the device for you.
Small gimmicky computers seem to attract so much attention and people who can’t help themselves but buy it, play with it for a while, then toss it into a drawer and never use it again.
I feel personally attacked!...
You are right though, ive loved tinkering especially some if the cool linux based handhelds but i always come back to mobile/tablet because my limiting resource is time and android/ios kinda just works.
So it’s a Raspberry Pi except now I can type Unix commands with my thumbs on a blackberry keyboard……ouch.