Like pen and paper, or typewriter, but does more.

I'm still on that kick of trying not to use glowing screens when the sun's not shining, but my work at present demands certain things must be done after sunset or before sunrise.

My wife has a ReMarkable, which she likes a lot, but it's basically a digital replacement for paper books, notepads, and pencils.  I borrow it sometimes for notes or reading.  It's cool, and it does things I like, but mostly I like paper and pencil.  When I need things a computer does, the ReMarkable will not do them.

There are a few foreign brands of e-ink phones out there that seem like they might do okay, but they're still just a phone, and the reviews are mixed.  For writing at lengh, I need a keyboard and larger screen (even though I'm usually looking over the top of it), and I want something I can use in the sun and doesn't glow at night.

I'm thinking of trying Daylight's DC-1.  Any permies using that?

There are things I like about it:
- e-ink, optional dimmable warm backlight
- supposedly fast refresh
- seems like it will support most of my worky-correspondence, homestead management field work, copywriting, and late study needs, though I'll have to keep doing video editing and web development and testing on desktop.

There are things I wish it was that it isn't:
- I don't love android and wish it was a Linux-compatible machine with an e-ink display

There are things I don't know about it:
- How long will it last?  
- Will it survive occasional, mild abuse?
- Will it support all the stupid apps I have to occasionally use?

80% of the common respondents are going to poopoo this question, or try to divert it into more primitive solutions, because said device has a circuit board and stuff, and costs dollars instead of sunchoke tubers.  

I know, I know, "just use paper and pencil," or "you can make your own paper with nettle fiber" etc etc etc.

But this is an internet forum that exists upon a digital foundation, and a big chunk of the world out there is interested in relevant, modern tech that addresses some permie concerns.  

A couple years ago, at Uncle Mud's request, Paul talked about a pathway for the quasi-connected permie to get a thinkpad, load up some version of linux, and render this long-lived computer a servant to the agrarian, rather than vice versa.  I see this inquiry as adjacent to that.  

So I beseech thee - have you used a digital device with a non-glowing display that meets your needs in the field and in the biologically appropriate home of the permie in the year of our lord, 2026?  If so, please respond.  I call upon your assistance.  

I haven't tried it. But the PineNote runs Linux.

Jeremy VanGelder wrote:I haven't tried it. But the PineNote runs Linux.

Have you used a pinenote, Jeremy?

AlphaSmart Neo 2? Non-backlit LCD screen, full sized keyboard, holds a novel's worth of text, runs 700 hours on three AA batteries. Originally designed for kids in school, so pretty tough. I still have a couple of them.

Not an internet/wifi machine at all.

There's a long-running forum for Alphies and other simple, portable keyboard-based writing tools. (I was an admin there long long ago. I see that some of the original admins are still actively involved. They also have a "be nice" community vibe.)

https://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart/discuss

Beau M. Davidson wrote:

Jeremy VanGelder wrote:I haven't tried it. But the PineNote runs Linux.

Have you used a pinenote, Jeremy?

I have not.

As a software engineer, i suggest a less portable solition: a regular pc with an e-ink monitor.  They make separate monitors you can plug into a regular pc, touchscreen if you want it.

Given that durability and repairability are (or should be!) Key concerns for any technology you buy...theres just no way a tablet will fit that.

Tablets and phones become e waste at a much faster rate  and volume than desktop PCs do.

Its also important to mention that unlike tablets and phones, PCs do not run out of viable security updates in a handful of years of use.

A standard pc with replaceable components connected to a monitor that does what you want is the way to go.

If you need portability and low power consumption, a Raspberry Pi or similar running Linux with e-ink display might do what you want and be very DIY friendly.

Daniel Andy wrote:As a software engineer, i suggest a less portable solition: a regular pc with an e-ink monitor.  They make separate monitors you can plug into a regular pc, touchscreen if you want it.

Given that durability and repairability are (or should be!) Key concerns for any technology you buy...theres just no way a tablet will fit that.

Tablets and phones become e waste at a much faster rate  and volume than desktop PCs do.

Its also important to mention that unlike tablets and phones, PCs do not run out of viable security updates in a handful of years of use.

A standard pc with replacemeable components connected to a monitor that does what you want is the way to go.

This is a great idea.  I will dabble with it a bit.

For certain applications, I do need a bit of portability.  For instance, taking work into the sunshine where a normal monitor is difficult to see, and record-keeping, instruction, and planning in the field.  

But your pc with e-ink display scores very high by most permie tech standards.  

Thanks.

Phil Stevens wrote:If you need portability and low power consumption, a Raspberry Pi or similar running Linux with e-ink display might do what you want and be very DIY friendly.

I will consider this - thanks.

Phil's suggestion has great technical merit. I did some googling and found several sites saying the software isnt there yet, but there's no reason it couldnt be finished and made into a good platform:

> "Significant software development and optimization are needed for Linux to become a viable option for ARM-based touchscreen platforms, as demonstrated by the disparity between the Raspberry Pi 5 and x64-based alternatives." - as of 6 months ago

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/raspberry-pi-5-tablet-2025/

Here's a list of open source projects making tablet-like machines, each of which could reasonably have be built with a different screen.

https://itsfoss.com/raspberry-pi-laptop-kits/

I haven't used an e-ink display except on a Kindle that I haven't turned on in a great many years, but I'm interested to see what others have seen or tried.

The smaller form-factors (i.e. tablets and the like) are going to suffer from a dramatic drop in serviceability and longevity compared to larger, more modular desktop-type options. Depending on what your exact needs are, you could potentially build up a laptop-esque device running a small board (Raspberry Pi or the like) that you could use for fieldwork, and have the monitor be something you could plug into a desktop PC when at home for larger or more computationally intensive projects - one display for multiple computers.

Beau M. Davidson wrote:

Jeremy VanGelder wrote:I haven't tried it. But the PineNote runs Linux.

Have you used a pinenote, Jeremy?

I have a Pinephone and a couple of Pinebooks. With everything happening with big tech and privacy issues lately, I gave priority to open source hardware over cutting edge innovations. Unfortunately this area is more developer oriented and requires a good deal of time/experience invested in the tech itself to gain results. Even worse, as far as I can tell the general Pine64 project pivoted to work more on 'shiny objects' like earbuds and watches that I find completely superfluous for communication needs. I'm not seeing any 'push' updates on equipment and don't have time/capacity to follow up myself.

Last month I got my hands on a Daylight for a test drive. I didn't have an actual task to accomplish, but it felt like an excellent device. If I have a budget for new tech again, I'd get something with a screen like that. I also heard an interview with the owner/founder of the company, seemed like someone I'd feel good about supporting with my funds.

BTW, Android is a version of Linux. If you are not happy with the actual interface, that is more a function of the device's input design. I had Arch Linux on my Pinephone and it is ugly to operate. If you are more concerned about all of the proprietary elements Alphabet (Google) has built in to the Linux variant it uses, there are reverse engineered versions of Android that function the same, but avoid the Play store and other Google tracking/regulating activities. They are highly functional on some ARM devices, but for others you need to wander into developer realm to make work...

I am using a Kindle Scribe right now. So many meetings I wanted just one thing to carry. Still getting used to it. Was torn deciding between a Remarkable and the Scribe. Wondering if one of the recording devices that converts voice to script would be an option for me.

I started a conversation with somebody at Daylight recently.  Sounds like they may be winding down production of the current device and, reading between the lines, moving toward a new iteration.  

I have been looking for a high-resolution panel as a second monitor to read documentation and I have not found one that has a sufficient resolution.
There is also the catch that  e-ink screens are somewhat slow in updating the image, so depending on how smart the screen controller is, it may take some time to get any visual feedback.
Voice to text needs either an internet connection or a decently powerful computer.

The PineNote does not have enough resolution to read PDFs with small text without having to move the page around.

From a price point, nothing will match a used thinkpad t-series laptop with linux on it.

Well, now I had to make some research.
From my experience a FHD (1920x1080) screen in landscape is good for writing a A4 document in portrait mode if the text isn't too small.
So lets assume 1920px for 210mm., which is 9.14px/mm or 232ppi (pixels per inch).
A A4 page is 14.4" (for reference)

Now lets assume you want to view your page in portrait mode, then the screen would need 2720 by 1920 pixels.

possible panels:
2760×2070 11.5" (too small?)
3200×1800 25.3" (too large to be portable)
2200×1650 13.3" (only 206 ppi)

That would still leave the need to build a housing and build a text-writer that is optimized for this application to make writing at least somewhat comfortable.
There appear to be a handful of devices using the last panel, but it is discontinued and most are sold out. And even if you manage to get one, you would still need custom firmware.


There does appear to be a new one: "Dasung Paperlike 13K" 13.3" with 300ppi, but it isn't exactly cheap and it still needs to be connected to a computer (which actually is a good thing as it means running your own software is much easier). So that + some small computing device and a nice keyboard would do it for a portable typewriter.