ClockworkPi DevTerm | HARDWARE REVIEW

[@LazyDevs]

⚠⚠ERRATA⚠⚠ 4:10 - I've recieved reports that the battery flap is more stable in other units. It is unclear how prevalent this issue is. 15:11 - The A06 unit's Armbian system does have a package manager. So you can simply do "apt get-install" for a lot of software. In this video I'm referring to compatibility issues for software that isn't covered by the package manager - like Pico-8 or TIC-80. 24:33 - I was able to get HDMI-out to run after all. Seems like my problems might have been caused by the socket being inset too deep. The cable I used has a hard time making a proper connection. Heard other people having similar issues. If you encounter issues with HDMI-out, I recommend trying different cables.

[@luccarodrigues781]

This is a very honest and well-made review! I wasn't sure whether this device was actually worth purchasing, given the huge number of quirky design choices that were made, but after this review, I think it's best to leave it alone for now. It seems like more of a "toy"/novelty computer rather than something you could get work done or even use for playing retro games on - a jack of all trades, master of none, really.

[@spaceysound]

Think I agree, gonna go with a steam deck instead :)

[@prozacgodretro]

My expectation of the device based on the photos and the keyboard mad me feel like it was sized like the TRS80-100, and was a bit stoked... I feel like I'd rather have a more "full sized" version.

[@LazyDevs]

I wouldn't mind a "DevTerm Max"

[@grenin1010]

If this was full sized, I'd have had to keep myself from buying it before the video finished.

[@andychow5509]

I just found their website, and was really excited and ready to buy. Luckily I had the sense to check on youtube for reviews. When he showed the key sizes next to his fingers, I knew it wouldn't work for me. I'm so happy I saw this before buying.

[@CasperLabuschagne]

A TRS80 sized device with a quality keyboard would have been very useful for distraction-free writing, especially using FocusWriter. Question is, how much use will I get from the DevTerm vs a different device such as a more expensive Chromebook?

[@mountainmanmcbeachfront5296]

@@CasperLabuschagne you can literally buy a chrome book on eBay for like $30 though

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

that Sideshow Bob clip is the perfect illustration of almost every encounter I've had with a Raspberry Pi. apart from the handful of times something Just Worked. I'd love something like this but good.

[@wisteela]

I didn't realise how small it is. Here's hoping that improvements are made. I could totally see myself using one. Yeah, I'd use it a lot as a retro text terminal too.

[@Dabbleatory]

I would love a sturdy, full-sized (Model 100 sized) version!

[@LeeOades]

I should like this video because you're talking about a cool gadget, software development on the Pico 8, Raspberry Pis and more. But actually, I LOVE this video because your review is thorough, asks all the questions, great opinions, laugh out loud moments and an excellent summary.

[@uytin99]

this channel is Fantastic. this is what i called a 'product Review', unlike Many Channels like mkbhd or some other big names who are only making ads stamped as rEViEw. Keep it up!

[@LazyDevs]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@bob450v4]

I have’t seen anything bad in mkbhds videos

[@uytin99]

@@bob450v4 it is not bad. but his video don't talk much about a product's flaw. that's why i think his video shouldn't be called as a review video.

[@MaddoScientist0]

I had preordered the devterm but in the end I cancelled it and ordered a gpc micro pc instead, didn't regret it and this video helped me cementing my decision, it's too bad the devterm didn't turn out to be as cool as it looked like it'd be

[@SianaGearz]

In most Linux desktops, you can just press ALT and click-drag a window in the middle to get to the hard to reach bottom part. Probably don't swap out batteries with the device still running. So if you have depleted one set of batteries, they have a voltage of around 3.2V or something like that, but a cell fresh off the charger is 4.2V. So you have removed one cell, so far so good, now you insert a fresh cell in its place, and then you have compensation current rushing through to equalise the voltage on these two batteries, one will be discharging at inhumane speed and another will be charging at an inhumane speed, current-limited merely by a little bit of steel for the contacts in between! This is a great recipe to make them vent very hot gas. OK maybe they were smart and put in some polyfuses in there, but then, the device will shut down anyway. Focused writing device? Maybe the likes of Psion V or Psion Revo. I have some Psion V units here. Haven't tried the Revo, but on the V, i can't thumb type, i can't reach the letters in the middle, but i can touch type. Revo's keyboard is a little smaller across, probably more thumb typeable. They are vaguely pocketable, for some types of pockets, presumably the lining pocket of a very expensive suit, i think the Psion V MX was like $3000. Another very useful sort of device is just a late-2000s netbook. You probably get one for free if you ask around, everyone bought them, noone knows what to do with them. Plop some Linux with XFCE on it, boots instantly, emulates 16-bit consoles and Playstation, keyboards are actually made for typing. Screens are a little garbage. 6 hour active use battery life if not more. Maybe you can install some newer nicer cells into the battery, they usually have 3-cell batteries with 6-cell option. Opening the battery pack is very unnerving, but i was successful dunking the thing in gazoline outdoors and it seems to have softened the glue holding the thing together, and then i could just twist it open. And yeah Devterm is definitely a Cyberdeck device first and foremost.

[@LazyDevs]

Thanks for the insightful comment! Oh yeah, ALT-clicking works too. TIL! ClockworkPi explicitly say you can swap batteries one by one. I suspect they did some fancy wiring to prevent one battery supercharging the other. But yeah, it sounds sus as heck and I wasn't willing to risk it while still doing the review. Might try it in a follow-up video just to see what happens. Ah the good old PDA days. I had a Palm V myself! Netbooks is generally my go-to alternative too. I have an smol cute Asus. Even did my own battery shenanigans. I didn't mention them this time around because AFAK they aren't making new ones anymore. And it's a bit unfair comparing a new device to used offers. Of course used gear can be a lot cheaper.

[@donoteatmikezila]

Excellent video. I was going back and forth on this device, and while it does look cool, I think I'll just enjoy it from afar rather than purchase one for myself. I really would get hung up on the built-in pointing and gamepad being unusably poor.

[@LazyDevs]

That‘s fair. Don‘t get the FOMO get to you. If things change I‘ll be sure to post an update.

[@aborne]

6:50. The "I made word play" gesture this time index is what made me love this video. I'm subscribing.

[@LazyDevs]

Heheheh, I appriciate the sub!

[@camden4770]

Great video! Despite all its flaws, I still love my Pocket CHIP. Nothing can replace the fun of bringing it into lectures and having friends struggle to write a single line of C code with its keyboard.

[@LazyDevs]

How can something be so bad and yet so very good.

[@camden4770]

@@LazyDevs apparently there is gonna be a Pocket CHIP 2 which will surely be interesting

[@othercannon1907]

@@camden4770 Wait, really? Next Thing Co. is dead, and the only seller of CHIPs and Pocket CHIPs rn is PocketCHIP.co, which is only selling the stock they received before Next Thing Co.'s demise. If there is gonna be a Pocket CHIP 2, who's making it?

[@LazyDevs]

@@othercannon1907 Looks like a company called Sandmath. CEO is Dave Rauchwerk, the main guy behind the original Pocket Chip. Looks legit.

[@LazyDevs]

@@camden4770 Dang! First thing I've heard about this and now I'm hyped.

[@legerdemain]

Great video. I'm on the same quest for the PocketChip 2021 model. There are so many retro handhelds like the one you killed for its CM3 module - it seems like someone would have put a split qwerty and some pointing device on one by now just to see if it would sell. That a pocketable, portable, open, cheap, qwerty linux device basically doesn't really exist feels like a gap in the marketplace. I hope you'll try the Popcorn Pocket PC when it becomes available.

[@LazyDevs]

Yeah, keeping an eye out on the Popcorn. Looks good!

[@ThylineTheGay]

Qwerty isn’t really a selling point lol, everything uses it.

[@spv420]

@@ThylineTheGay the ti nspire line use a fucking alphabetical keyboard source: i own a few and used to be involved in its dev scene, learning that keyboard took *a while*

[@shayes.x]

Wonderful video! I have been eyeing the devterm since its conception, this video really helped me out. I hope that the company will watch this video and take to heart your criticisms, it would improve the product a lot!

[@GeorgeKGrace]

This review is so awesome! It hits so many of my soft spots. I love how Cool Retro-term looks like, and I especially love how NetHack looks like (I mean that looks simply Amazing!). How cool is that you not only like coding for Fantasy consoles, Cyberdecks, text adventures, etc but that you also even review (in depth and professionally. and humorously) a niche product, but that you also honestly show its capabilities and flaws, and not only that but you show it running THE roguelike, NetHack... Never done before. Thank you! I've always wanted a minimalistic machine that runs NetHack natively (preferably nothing else in the way) and with the correct screen size (ratio), coming form the CGA era (80x25 characters 640x200pixels or in this case a little more than double 1280x480 [16:6 ratio]). It seem like it should work, right? One final golden question for me. Does NetHack run without having to resize the screen? In other words, is it possible to run NetHack at a terminal level utilizing all the screen, and without having to scroll, as if it was running on text mode (80x25 characters) directly? Your answer might be the solution to my search for years. Thank you in advance, and thank you for putting yourself in the frontlines of the quest for the perfect hardware to run fantasy consoles as they are meant to run, on real hardware. PS: That joke at 20:41 is priceless!!!

[@LazyDevs]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. Yes it is possible to run Nethack in a normal terminal window. I believe that would be the screen ratio you are looking for. Only downsides is you'll miss out on the cool CRT shaders and obviously a huge part of the screen will go unused. But that way you can run more modern Roguelikes like Stone Soup.

[@GeorgeKGrace]

@@LazyDevs Good. Yes, the cool NetHack CRT looks fantastic. Now to try to find one of these, or build my own Cyberdeck :) Vielen Dank!

[@GeorgeKGrace]

I just bought the DevTerm A06! (The only one available at the moment). I am very excited to start my CyberDecking coding adventure. I will mainly use it to play NetHack AND coding in TIC-80 and Pico-8. Naturally, you have been vital to help me decide. One final question though. What 18650 Batteries do you recommend? I know you show some from BH photo, but there are so many (fakes?). Any from Amazon? Also, correct me if I'm wrong but it seems they need to have a "nipple" (or whatever is called)?

[@danandtab7463]

I appreciate how honest this review is. I saw this device first on a different channel who makes every device sound amazing, and a lot of the big downsides of this were missed. I hope a new version of this is an improvement because I want one. :) specifically the version with the printer

[@trouaconti7812]

Loved the detailed review. You touched all aspects one could think of, superb job here

[@wtfusernamecrap]

Beautifully written and filmed, with a relatable conclusion. I'm looking forward to binging your Pico-8 videos.

[@Xpurple]

Two years later and the company is still around, and it's been shipping the uconsole for a while now. I'm glad to support a company that does cool stuff like this.

[@polaris911]

great job with this review. I hope ClockWorkPi keeps making devices along these lines. It seems like they almost have something here

[@sleeplessengineer1450]

It seems like whoever designed the console buttons has never use a game console. Also they should've used a trackpoint instead of a trackball, or at least a larger more accurate trackball that actually uses laser tracking. Those tiny trackballs weren't meant to be as accurate as the fullsize trackballs that normal trackball mice use since they were made for old phones.

[@LazyDevs]

Probably one of those things that becomes obvious in hindsight. With the console buttons I assume the used similar engineering they used on the keyboard keys. And surprise! Keyboard keys are not the same as console buttons!

[@FloatingSunfish]

Perhaps a laptop with a bluetooth controller combo will be the pinnacle of game-making on the go for a very long time. Sure, they take more space, but working on them feels like a dream. Many thanks for the honest reviews! ♥️ Also, PocketCHIP review when?

[@xandersore3442]

all you'd need is an 11 inch laptop with a 8bitdo zero 2. would be a great combo

[@dondubeau2874]

Always happy when I see one of your videos pop up. Super informative and entertaining as always!

[@CasperLabuschagne]

A fantastic review on another level. I might still get a DevTerm since it checks a lot of exitement boxes for me. I will most certainly get a Pi-400 once an 8Gb model becomes available in order to replace the aging Pi Zero and the Pi3. But for now, an HP Chromebook that runs Chrome-OS, Android Apps and Linux makes it a no-brainer, especially since my decade-old iPad is seriously old and does service mainly as an ebook reader.

[@GoingtoHecq]

I kind of really like how limited and focused it's abilities are.

[@lossfound]

As a musician who loves old MIDI gear and sequencers, I would love to see this offered with an alternative keyboard so that it could be used as a standalone replacement for ancient hardware sequencers or something like a Polyend Tracker. As is, between the tiny keyboard with the Shift physical "binding" problems, the trackball / directional problems, the screen res, the lack of sleep, and the fixed, very un-ergonomic screen angle, I just can't see using this at all for coding or any other computing application, no matter how much I've always loved the Tandy 100 look (and I have, since the 80s!). But it would be great for other things, and given the modular design, maybe ClockworkPi can expand the utility of the DevTerm through creative input device reimaginings alone.

[@ChrisLincoln]

A gunpla fan and a Chumbawumba reference? We are dealing with a man of culture here.

[@LazyDevs]

I am about to do something extremely wicked, Amuro. I drink a whiskey drink. I drink a lager drink...

[@kakaodieb]

Man, and once again you rightfully shatter my need to get one of clockworkpis products. The designs are for the looks and not for good use (see the trackball and dpad) They make beautiful designs and renders and the idea with the printer on the devterm is neat and cool but I don't want to buy plastic for THAT price. I totally get what you mean with the cyberdecks. Still love your videos :) I'm looking forward to your next hardware reviews, keep it up!

[@gogoteca]

I've had this project in mind for a while to make the analog sticks on the Anbernic devices function as a keyboard, but haven't gotten around to making it...

[@LazyDevs]

Sounds like a WILD idea!

[@AudreyRobinel]

This is a nice, in depth review, quite interesting. On the hacker/DIY friendlyness, i beg to differ however : designing a PCB is really not that hard. The connector of the user board can be done by simply having pads on the PCB (so no component, it is a part of your pcb, for the male end obviously). The rest is about placing what you want on the board. This compartment seems spacious enough to allow to add some stuff there, such as sensors, peripherals, etc... Remains to be seen what data lines are connected to the main SOC : if it was a CM4, i could see a pcie bus, so you could add an nvme storage unit, wifi modules (for wardriving, for instance), lte modem, lora, etc.... So depending on how good the ressources are (specs for the dimensions, busses, data lines, etc), it could really be DiY friendly. However, it is using a CM3 module, so i don't know if i would spend much time designing a circuit for an obsolete SOM. For me, all the flaws you pointed make this machine a very hard buy, considering the other solutions that exist. Also, a clamshell design would make a few things more functionnal. I understand that there is an atypical proposition from the authors, but it seems to be lost in the impracticality of the design. For instance the inability to set scrreen angle seems really anoying to me on a portable machine. I feel like this machine would have benefited from being bigger, to have a larger keyboard, and make it really nice to type on, so top notch ergonomics and controls, and have it being "the ultimate mobility typing experience" or something. Here, it is fun, but other than that, it feels like it has really few uses where another machine wouldn't be better at it.

[@LazyDevs]

Yeah I heard that prinint PCBs has gotten easier. Still, it seems like there is a step missing. Going through a 3rd party service doesn't feel like a setup to encourage free experimentation. So for example, I'm a total beginner and I wouldn't even know where do begin with designing a PCB myself. But I'd be happy to poke a wire into a GPIO and see what happens. The latter would allow me to eventually get to a point where I could do the former. The DevTerm is good for people who already did the poking. Funny enough, the NVME is the first thing I thought about too. I think the A06 is for people, who find the CM3 boring. I also heard from experiments on getting a CM4 to run using an adapter. I thought the inability to change the angle would drive me crazy. I was surprised how usable it ended up being. And yeah, I can totally see the appeal of a full-sized DevTerm.

[@bytesabre]

@@LazyDevs There's some folks on the clockworkpi forums working on one that'll effectively be a GPIO breakout with a prototyping board, so if those are made available it should make it more hardware hacker friendly for those more used to working with raspberry pis and such.

[@ruidai5737]

Huge thanks for the review! The Bootup Time part almost made me suffer from a heart attack, haha...

[@emperorsno]

Terrific informative video with your usual hilarious comments 😂

[@JessicaFEREM]

I feel like they should sell one of those "lazy reading glasses" that point your eyes 90 degrees down. that isn't a knock against it I just feel like it should come with them since you're basically asking to have your neck hurt after using it for a while.

[@LazyDevs]

Did not experience neck pain but I'm rather resistance to that. YMMV

[@Phantom8Bit]

The solution to that problem on the Model 100 was some simple round legs that fit in the screw holes. This has no screw holes from the sound of it

[@Radgerayden-ist]

doesn't seem like anyone picked up on it, but nice Tim Rogers reference at 7:08 lol

[@LazyDevs]

Well, I wouldn't call it a direct reference. More of an hommage. Hard not to riff on him after that Cyberpunk review. ;)

[@VSHO-pn3ns]

I don't need one...........but man, I REALLY want one! I had a Tandy Model 100 back in 1982 and this looks like the modern little brother. The retro-vibes are strong! Time to ask my wife to hide the credit card.

[@LazyDevs]

No need to ask right away. They are still not in stock. ;)

[@gregskuza7166]

Thank you for this great video, I finally have all of this confusing information about devterm explained and I decided to wait on it as the only available 04/06 modules are too much hustle to use. Thank you!

[@LazyDevs]

At this point I think the CM3 probably won't be back in stock ever. So you need to chase down one yourself. But the software support for 04/06 looks better now!

[@SufianDira]

I know this is no comedy channel. But your humor just gets me every time 🤣

[@citizensnips7949]

Thank you for the honest review. After watching I have decided to purchase the device for the following reasons: 1. I like being able to swap CPU architectures easily and inexpensively. 2. I like the form factor (though I would prefer 100% scale TRS-80 100 form factor) 3. Everything is open source and well documented making it an ideal device to learn low level development on. As far as downsides, I do not care about the game buttons or having to add my own rubber feet. Only big downside for me is the small size of the keyboard.

[@LazyDevs]

Enjoy your Dev Term!

[@JessicaFEREM]

I wish the keyboard in this was either smaller to accommodate thumb typing, or larger for actual typing. it's in this weird middle ground where nobody is happy because you can't type with your thumbs nor can you type normally. that's the largest pitfall i see with this machine. maybe something like the game console but with a blackberry keyboard, I know LG had a phone where the left and right half of the keyboard were split to accomodate a second screen, but i could see something like this using it so you can have a comfy handheld experience and you don't have to stretch your thumbs like the micro chip pocket.

[@LazyDevs]

Sure it's a middle ground but not necessarily one that doesn't work, IMO. It manages to pull of both for me, and that's a big deal. But I get your point. It feel like there is room for improvement yet.

[@ofoosy]

Thanks for the honest review, I was interested in the risc-v version. but its substantially smaller than I anticipated. I couldn't comfortably type on that

[@vladcom95]

Wow! Amazing video!

[@oponder]

Great review! Really in depth. Thanks for taking the time and digging in to it.

[@interessts5033]

I VERY rarely comment on videos (like this might be my third comment ever or something) but I gotta say, this review was very entertaining.

[@fragglet]

This is a fantastic review and you did such a great job of communicating your experience with this device in all its detail. Thank you!

[@tadpoleslamp]

Been looking for this device for decades!

[@sennabullet]

Super thorough and helpful review. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@3web3]

Honest review. Would like to see more videos on cyberdecks and other custom computers

[@DanielRodriguez-tk5nv]

What a nice review youtube recommended me, im not even a dev or a programmer but you earned a new sub

[@LazyDevs]

Thank you for the sub!

[@MettleHurlant]

This reminds me of electronics class in the 90s, programming a circuit board with a portable MS-DOS PC surplused from the post office. Being poor made me resourceful.

[@colinsmith2672]

Brilliant video with so much wit and useful information. Thank you!

[@idtyu]

I just realized that you use dir instead of ls in terminal, that's very windows of you! Also, for the beefy chip, try fedora on it, if you can get it up there, then general fedora instructions will apply to fedora on arm

[@LazyDevs]

Windows? You mean DOS ;) Yeah I'm not done with the A06. For now I'm going to stay put and see what the community comes up with.

[@ShadowDrakken]

Remember the old HP Jornada clamshell Windows CE computers? I miss those. They were fun little travel computers!

[@MrOpinionatedOne]

OMG! I came for the subject matter, but your video was fun and a joy to watch. Way to make some dry content interesting.

[@terry-]

Great! I always remember this video when I see "Hackers". More if this hardware reviews!

[@garyweber8201]

Absolutely a fantastic review! Thank you. Given that an NEC PC-8201 (brother of the TRS-80 Model 100) was my first computer when I was young, I got very used to having a full size keyboard with full travel keys. As I'm a touch typist, using a 60% keyboard is just off-putting for me. If DevTerm made a larger size version of this I might consider it, but not in its current form unfortunately.

[@Youtoobonly]

Ok, legit laughed out loud at the thumb typing joke, normally hate bad jokes but that just hit me right. Good job

[@jstinn123]

Good review. I especially enjoy the sense of humor.

[@gunayorbay]

19:45 lucky shot, doesn't get any better than that

[@LazyDevs]

Luck has nothing to do with it. Clean living, persistence and an copious amount of shameless savescumming. ;)

[@PixelisedPaul]

You're the first person I've seen that has actually given an unbiased review of the devterm and I did laugh out loud on various occasions which always helps. Slightly off-topic, but would the upcoming 64bit Raspberry Pi build work theoretically on RK3399 devices? I'd like to have a handheld console that has "native" support for Pico-8 and don't know whether to wait for RK3399 or get an RK3326 now which will be old hat within a month or two.

[@LazyDevs]

Glad to hear you had a good time! I can't speak to other RK3399 devices but it looks to me like the upcoming Pico-8 ARM64 build is supposed to run on the RK3399 DevTerm module. Zep said he had the DevTerm in mind among others. As I mentioned in the video, you can already run the current Pico-8 version on ARM64 Linux with some workarounds. So I don't think this will be an issue.

[@Wintermute4]

Extremely helpful and honest review!

[@SianaGearz]

If you want to experience a bad keyboard, how about early Sinclair keyboard, like on ZX80/81 and early Spectrum revisions? Well "want" is maybe the wrong word. It's basically like a TV remote control. They solved the issue of it being impossible to type on by having BASIC keywords each be mapped to one key of the keyboard, so you don't have to type them out. In fact the BASIC input is context sensitive and knows when which inputs are valid and what they mean, so that's nice.

[@LazyDevs]

Smart! I should have done something like that with my PocketChip. Yeah I know the ZX81. Honestly, I don't even know which of the Keyboards is worse.

[@valley_robot]

I typed in programs from a magazines and books on the zx81, I didn't know any better so it wasn't an issue for me. Saving my progress to tape and starting again the next day after school was my childhood, I loved it, I was a kid from a poor family and I had my very own computer

[@SianaGearz]

@@valley_robot I know, those computers were world's cheapest and made the computer accessible. Some friends of the family helped me made a clone of the Spectrum (Leningrad 48) and they sourced the parts, i ended up with a really grating keyboard, seemingly pretty bombproof with reed switches, but just insanely rough and difficult to press, maybe worn, maybe manufacturing rejects, maybe that was just the usual Soviet quality. But it's not like 9 year olds are known for fluid touch typing, so it was fine, and the input scheme actually makes it very usable. Fun fact, the Spectrum could be cloned entirely from Soviet domestic parts, and it was fairly unique in this regard. There was a Z80 clone developed in East Germany which was also manufactured in Russia. The other big chip in the Spectrum is the ULA chip which does all the video, memory and IO routing, which couldn't be cloned at the time, but it was possible to reproduce it with about a dozen 74-series and 40-series ICs, simple single-function ICs, small- to medium-scale integration, functional equivalents of all of which were available. And this is how it worked. The Leningrad computer existed as a bunch of plans, instructions and PCB artwork which were photocopied from one person to the next, spread via underground enthusiast networks. Everyone knew someone who knew someone who knew someone to etch the PCBs, burn the EPROMs, source the ICs, and then you just solder it all together, and with some luck, it might even work. A lot of parts that you'd get would be rejects though, or stolen off the assembly line untested, mine was insanely unreliable, it would lock up completely about every half an hour to a couple hours, which was a much bigger issue than an unwieldy keyboard. Programming was a less frustrating activity than playing games, because if a game crashes, your whole progress is lost, but you can save your own program to tape anytime.

[@andreluizrsim]

Thank you very much for your review. I thought the DevTerm was really cool, but I wasn't sure if it was for me. Your review make me understand clearly that product it's not for me.

[@LazyDevs]

Glad I could help!

[@Zeal8bit]

Waw, awesome video! PocketChip was a great device, but its keyboard and low resolution made it hard to code on. My thumbs will never forget that. This device seems to have a better keyboard, its screen seems nice for text editing but other than that, I feel it's a bit unsuitable for a general purpose OS like Linux. Regarding the trackball, isn't there any option to change the sensitiviy?

[@LazyDevs]

You can tweak the sensitivity but that was already max sensitivity. The problem is that the trackball is too small and the sensor inside is not able to keep up with the speeds requires to navigate a screen of this size. You can tell because at a certain point, scrolling the wheel faster makes the cursor go slower. There is a sweet spot beyond which the sensor loses track of the rotation of the ball. Would need a bigger trackball or a sensor with a higher polling rate. Or a trackpoint.

[@Zeal8bit]

@@LazyDevs Oh it's that inconvenient, it definitely needs to be replaced then😅 Thanks for giving more details!

[@baganatube]

Very informative review! Have you taken a look at their new device uConsole? Seems to have fixed a bunch of problems you mentioned in this video, but the buttons seem to be metal domes. I just heard of them yesterday and as of now, the orders seem to have queue up a lot.

[@LazyDevs]

Yeah it looks good. Hope to give it a go one day!

[@jaredquinn1]

I'm the kind of person who designs and prints a PCB to spec for fun. You should try it.

[@LazyDevs]

One day I shall join you in the sunlight!

[@rommudoh]

22:00 yes, it basically is the same resolution as two 640x480 next to each other

[@LazyDevs]

Well, wide screens don‘t alwas feel like two monitors. But it totally works in this case!

[@RinksRides]

The CM3 is still going to be faster than a human trying to type a basic Python program. Jus sayin. Loving the humor in the video.

[@TechExploresNYC]

I do have one of those pocketpi, I wonder what I can do with it today.

[@escre]

I snapped my antenna clean off due to putting it on the interior side. Luckily they're very resistant to horrible soldering techniques.

[@LazyDevs]

Yeah that antenna part was a bit finnicky!

[@alexandrosroussos]

I wonder if we could squeeze a Teensy board with its microsd in the free space on the top left (when you opened it from the bottom). That would be a good on the go dev tool for teensy project programming.

[@elffyb]

Love the roguelike comment. Not directed at LazyDevs ... but I don't feel like most people really understand what they are saying when they say roguelike.

[@DoctorNemmo]

12:45 Spitting straight facts my man. Amen.

[@zxuiji]

I got an idea for better keys, not a keyboard fanatic though so don't expect me to care if you think something else is better, anyways I was thinking of just a plain rubber seal on top (so no liquids or dust can get in), a plastic spring or 2 underneath with a container like you see with some back scratchers designed to fit in your pocket and a hard plastic T shaped sheet between the springs and the rubber seal, the top of the T is just because rubber alone doesn't feel great for typing with, the other part is for lazer light interference for the actual input part, an alternative idea is a fold up lazer keyboard, I have a normal one that's no bigger than the hand holds on a dualshock controller but it's a pain to use on hard surfaces, it's also hard to see on bright surfaces, the fold out part is just gonna be a somewhat thick rubber sheet for the lazer keyboard to display on and give something comfortable to type on.

[@LazyDevs]

Lazer Keyboads are trash. Sorry. As for your other idea - you should get in contact with ClockworkPi. Or make a prototype yourself!

[@zxuiji]

@@LazyDevs You realise I already laid out why I agree with you and what could be done to improve them right? If it's response speed you're on about it should be possible to build in touch response to the rubber sheet the keyboard would display on to improve that also, the main thing I like about lazer keyboards is they have the potential to go where only virtual keyboards have been able to go so far but at a bigger scale, displaying characters for the language one wants to tyoe for, in my case I'm learning japanese and want an easier method than resorting to a virtual keyboard, the lazer keyboard would be a suitable middle ground for me

[@itsPenguinBoy]

Ikea's usb snake led lamp would be so good to light this.

[@LazyDevs]

Must buy accessory!

[@sbrazenor2]

I was really interested in this form factor and I was totally going to buy one... And then I saw the size of it. I have relatively large hands, so it wasn't going to be a good time trying to type on this thing. And I'm not about to put an external keyboard on it, since that would just be ridiculous.

[@OnnieKoski]

You can play around with the video settings in the config.txt file on the boot SD. The 1200x400 is probably not being recognized by any HDMI screens.

[@LazyDevs]

I found out the issue. The connector was too deep. My cable wasn't making proper connection. Weird.

[@kittyn5222]

5:30 I forgot that it existed

[@labnine3362]

"held together with latches, 2 knobs on the side and warm thoughts"!!! LOL

[@vista3997]

Thanks very much for the clear review. I hope for the video of the uConsole, the latest model of clockwork.

[@shapesinaframe]

Would be good to see you review their uConsole. Also, surprised you stuck with the DevTerm as a daily driver for as long as you did, seeing you hunched over looking down at the screen, it didn’t look comfortable to use for long periods.

[@LazyDevs]

Certainly will try to get into uConsole

[@tiredtait9660]

@@LazyDevs literally subscribed just to see that, so hopefully you will

[@KiR_3d]

Yeah, that nerve for sure! ) It's the under-cyber deck!

[@jayabegglen4665]

Okay okay so hear me out : 1. Switch out the 4 buttons top left to a right side (or left side) trackpad then keys to other side 2. Low profile mechanical keys 3. Hinges to have "some" screen ergonomics

[@theswordsgame]

clockwork recently announced the uconsole and it seems to address most issues and its in a pocket chip form factor!

[@DarthStasheck]

Excellent review, thank you!

[@snobbybumblebee]

Thorough review. Love it. Job well done! 👍

[@ThylineTheGay]

High quality video and very entertaining, subscribed.

[@yosoyunapina]

Thanks for this! I'm waiting for my preorder to ship, and though this doesn't diminish my enthusiasm any, it's very good to know the possible pitfalls tn advance. One question: You very briefly mentioned using the DevTerm as a dedicated writing device - and this is actually the primary reason I ordered it... I'm always hurting for a device I can easily write text or code on while holding it in my hands, seated somewhere other than a desk or table, without anyplace to set a laptop down. Ideas come all the time that I'd like to commit to text. But I hate trying to type anything substantial on a phone touchscreen, and I hate how locked down typical mobile devices almost all are. You mentioned notebooks as alternatives, but none of the ones I've seen would seem to be at all usable as a handheld device, to type on with thumbs. Do you recommend any other devices besides the DevTerm specifically for this use case?

[@LazyDevs]

Don't worry, you have plenty to look forward to with your preorder. It's gonna be fun! As for other handhelds - Some of the devs of the PocketChip are working on the Popcorn Pocket PC, this looks like competition to the DevTerm. Also, I think some of the GPD devices are handheldable. The GPD Win 3 for sure. Pocket 2 and 3 possibly too.

[@leonoliveira8652]

That's a pretty cool review and bottomline. I thought it was cool too, but the CM3 part just kinda kills it. We need more devices using the CM4 or the whole Raspberry 4b board. Can't wait for a non-GB form factor handheld kit. (because Experimental Pi never released the leaked prototypes, and the N+ Digi Dock is basically impossible to get)

[@LazyDevs]

The company posted a CM4 prototype the other day. It looks like this isn't the last of what we've seen of this device.

[@tokimeku233]

This looks like the board that Ritsuko used to connect to Casper-03 when Ireul attacks.

[@LazyDevs]

It does! I should get some EVA stickers for it.

[@michaellin4553]

I can really see this in use for portable RF shenanigans.

[@LazyDevs]

I of heard people using them for exactly for this. Sounds like fun!

[@WilliamHostman]

At least apple (and HP)'s butterfly switches are better than the old foam-and-foil keyboards of the 80s/90s... (and worse, what happens when the foam degrades The early reviews of the pocktchip scared me off that beast due to the metal domes. Great review. And a not quite 7" screen is a bit small... Then again, I used to code in C on a Palm OS device...

[@athf226]

Cortex A53 and a Mali reminds me of the Zynq MPSOC+ FPGA+SoC. It's a FPGA, Cortex-A53, Cortex R5, and Mali 400. I kinda wonder if one could get Petalinux to run on the A53. Not sure why one would want to, but seems like it could be possible lol

[@NitghVision]

Ah yes, the chunky sausage fingers of yore. I remember them making their first camera appearance on the Monster Hunter Podcast with that PSP unboxing!

[@LazyDevs]

Good. Old. Times!

[@benotsilent6703]

35:13 - loved that movie.

[@SamMcDonald83]

Great analysis, I've been considered picking up a Devterm and this is definitely good food for thought. Have you thought about looking at the Arduboy? Seems like the successor to the pocketchip (minus the keyboard of course)

[@LazyDevs]

I own the Arduboy. It's a completely different type of device. The PocketChip was a Linux computer. The Arduboy is a tiny arduino GameBoy.

[@SamMcDonald83]

@@LazyDevs fair point, I guess I was thinking about it from more an aesthetic point of view. But yeah put like that they do seem very different

[@PhoonBucgeneMY]

Laughed at the Indiana Jones reference! Haha

[@peterhoeft1688]

Love this review! I'm curious about the printing: 1. Do you have a link for the sticker thermal printer paper you used? Also, did you need to scale images or anything to get that QR + image printed? I know you said that "It just prints", but I'm thick-headed and incredulous. Thanks so much for putting in the time for an awesome review!

[@LazyDevs]

I bought the paper in China. I don't have any meaningful link I could share with out. As for the scaling - I just created an image in the right size in Gimp and printed it.

[@Lemon_Inspector]

So what you're telling me is, I should get a Tandy TRS-80 Model 100. I already knew that!

[@judgegroovyman]

13:09 lol usb always works on the third try 😂 I was just observing that phenomenon this morning

[@RedBlueProductions1]

sounds like you'd like to know about `systemctl suspend` that will let you just press a key and jump right into it after it powers back on

[@LazyDevs]

Raspberry does not support this feature

[@RedBlueProductions1]

@@LazyDevs dammit