R.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 4
Oh man, the #MacbookNeo is giving me pre-unibody 2008 #Macbook vibes. RESIIIIISST!!! — #microblogging #MicroToot: 84 characters
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane

Let me help you:
_$700 for 8GB of non upgradeable RAM_

That said, love the idea of fun and friendly machines coming back. Really looking forward to the death of depressing grey monoliths.

Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
Yeah, at that point you might as well be using a phone/tablet in a docking station as your primary computer.

Every time I look at the CrowView et. al. I think about building a more opinionated version of the same thing.
- battery bank (ATX PSU, USB-PD)
- a VESA mount behind the screen, to hold some little office PC
- drive bays
- swappable keyboards
- expresscard over thunderbolt(!)

Speaking of fun and friendly computers: how are your homemade ITX cases going?
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@moses_izumi @rl_dane

Currently a bit stalled while I try to find a good source of small form factor power supplies that aren't absolutely terrible but also don't cost three times what I would consider reasonable

Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
I had the same problem looking for a 100-245 watt USB powerbank: both of the ones I'd settled on reportedly overheat at max output.
Show threadMoses IzumiMar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane
ExpressCard seems to be dead, but the MXM format for GPUs is still kicking.
Actually considered getting an Elitebook 8560w just for that, power efficiency be damned.
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@moses_izumi @rl_dane

Expresscard was so underutilized 😭

Everyone raving about how incredible thunderbolt is, when expresscard was that, plus it let expansions fit inside the machine! Who needs external expansion when you have internal expansion you don't have to unplug every time you move your laptop???

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

Press "F" to pay respects to laptop card slots.

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @moses_izumi

I will never forgive humanity for this.

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

* laughs, then weeps uncontrollably in "all you need is one or two USB-C ports, RIGHT?"

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi those can have a pcie lane now :)
Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I know, I know it's crazy fast and capable. It's just kinda... meh. ;)

Gimme full USB-A. Gimme SD (not micro). Gimme card slots. XD

...heck, GIMME A TRACKBALL, FtLoG! (For the Love of God)

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

USB-C is in the top three worst designed connector of all time tbh. And it's a _very_ fierce competition, so that's saying a lot.

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@OpenComputeDesign @kabel42 @moses_izumi

What're the other two?

At least it's easy to insert, and reversible.

Would you rather CENTRONIX?!? XD

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@rl_dane @kabel42 @moses_izumi

Yo even miniUSB is better.

Micro USB is of course one of the other two. I forget what the third one is at the moment

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi 3.5mm and 2.5mm audio jack, making all the connection during pluging and unpluging and i've killed so many headphone cables...
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

I don't understand what you're saying?

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi this is evil garbage and the worst connector
Phone connector (audio) - Wikipedia

Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Oh, well, too be fair, TRRS jacks sucking is all apple's fault.

Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@OpenComputeDesign @rl_dane @moses_izumi I've seen devices use those as serial interface and the handbook tells you to never plug/unplug the thing while the device is powered or you short the powersupply 🥳
Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

The 2nd and later gen iPod Shuffle used TRRS as a USB port. XD

Show threadkabel42
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi someone at apple is allergic to actually implementing standards and good electrical engineering?
Mar 5 at 7:02pmWeb
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5
@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi Everyone at apple, I think :P
Show threadkabel42Mar 5
@rl_dane @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi the usb (A) connector was an example at university for good desing because it mechanically ensures power and ground make good connection before the datalines make contact
Show threadBad Opinion GuyMar 5

@kabel42 @rl_dane @moses_izumi

Fun fact: the type C connector mechanically ensures the power and ground pins are shorted together on the type A connector when you try to do a reach-around plug and forget that the Type A and Type C connectors are right next together

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I only wish USB A had beveled edges on both ends.

That would've made life so much easier.

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Mar 5

@kabel42 @OpenComputeDesign @moses_izumi

I mean, it was either that, or come up with a proprietary connector for both data and audio.

Oh wait, that's lightning. XD