I put Linux on this 8-inch mini laptop, and unlocked a new way of computing

If given the chance, I’d a lot reasonably use a desktop over a laptop computer or cellphone. Do not get me incorrect, I am glad I’ve my Android, however typing on telephones has by no means been simple for me. I like contact typing and I am excellent at it (I must be, given how a lot I write). 

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On the few events I’ve needed to truly write and edit on a cellphone, it was horrible, so I keep away from it in any respect prices. However what do I do once I’m on the go and I haven’t got room in my bag for a full-sized laptop computer?

I’m going mini. Or, shall I say, tiny.

The Piccolo N150 Netbook is an eight-inch “mini laptop computer” that appears form of like a pill or a kind of old-school electronic organizers from the ’90s. Once I first obtained this gadget to evaluation, I used to be giddy upon dealing with it. I at all times cherished miniaturized issues as a child, and the Piccolo speaks to one thing nostalgic. 

This eight-inch laptop computer is not a toy, nonetheless. Upon choosing it up, you may really feel the steel chassis has a stunning quantity of weight to it. Once I turned the N150 on, I used to be greeted by Home windows 11. It ought to come as no shock that I dislike Windows. So what did I do? Clearly, I put in Linux.

To be extra particular, I put in KDE Neon. I knew I’d prefer the KDE Plasma UI as a result of I felt it might be the simplest to make use of on the small contact display screen. The set up was as simple as putting in any Linux distribution (which is to say… very) and there was just one concern with the audio. 

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After a full KDE Neon improve, the onboard sound card was detected and all the pieces was positive. I might use the Piccolo N150 as nicely on Linux as I might on Home windows and I used to be a cheerful lil’ penguin.

The very first thing I noticed, nonetheless, was that it might take me some time to get used to the keyboard. The Piccolo’s structure is unusual, and my fingers wanted a second to get used to it. 

I’ve skilled this earlier than, so know that it is quite common for such tiny gadgets. You merely can not cram a full-sized keyboard onto an eight-inch body. Due to that, I see the structure as a intelligent work-around to maintain the vast majority of the keys full measurement. If the keys themselves had been bite-sized, it might be far worse.

So far as the remainder of the {hardware}, the show is far nicer than I’d have imagined for this way issue, and it has a strong construct regardless of its miniature stature. The one factor (and that is to be anticipated) is that the sound may be very small and tinny — however at the very least it is clear. 

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Throughout my testing, I put in the Ollama/Msty combo to see how the N150 would deal with native AI and I used to be stunned it carried out fairly nicely. It wasn’t almost as quick as my System76 Thelio, however that is evaluating apples to oranges. Even so, queries had been answered shortly and I solely heard the fan kick on briefly.

I did not benchmark this tiny laptop computer however that is probably not of concern for such a small gadget. You do not purchase a laptop computer of this measurement for its efficiency, you purchase it for its portability and comfort. That the N150 was in a position to run Linux to perfection was a serious bonus for me.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Laptops of this measurement aren’t for everybody. In case your fingers can adapt to the keyboard structure, it might be an incredible gadget to hold with you in your purse or bag, so you can write your novel whereas touring on the bus and even work on some code.

The Piccolo N150 netbook is not a toy nevertheless it’s additionally not one thing you’d use for something too severe. When you’re okay with the shape issue and you may get used to the cramped keyboard, this mini laptop computer could be an incredible addition to the tech you employ. That being stated, it is not a really perfect gaming laptop computer, though I think about one might set up Steam and play some that are not too graphically-intensive. 

Piccolo N150 netbook specs

• CPU – Intel Alder Lake N100 with 4 cores, 4 threads, and a max turbo frequency of three.6 GHz
• GPU – Intel Graphics 24EUs 1000 MHz
• Measurement – 7.9″ x 5.142″ x .70″
• Weight – 1.45 kilos
• Show – IPS LCD at 1920 X 1200 with a 16:10 ratio
• Battery  Polymer 7.4 v/300 mAh with a 6-hour life on a full cost
• RAM – 12GB on board.
• Storage – 512 GB
• Digicam (entrance solely) 2.0 MP
• Speaker – 1 W x 2.
• Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6
• Fingerprint learn constructed into the ability button
• Ports – MicroSD, 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 mini HDMI
• Value $389 on the X-Plus website