Remix.run Logo
jwrallie 21 hours ago

I’d really like a Linux laptop with an e-ink screen. I’m well aware of the downsides.

It seems Android tablet with a keyboard or Windows laptop with double screen exist but to live with the limitations of such a screen, nothing would top having full control of the OS interface.

gunalx an hour ago | parent | next [-]

There was this one thinkpad that had a eink screen as its keyboard.

Pretty cool, and you could use it as aregular display as well.

dunno how linux would react though.

ryanckulp 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

we (TRMNL) have a working demo, debating what to do with it.

unlisted: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qs7JeK11Cxc

prmoustache an hour ago | parent [-]

Is it me or there is a lot of ghosting?

norman784 11 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

This sounds like a good opportunity for a 3rd party e-ink screen for the framework laptops.

larodi 19 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

incredible, isn't it, that no single usable e-paper device is being sold. like no Mac with e-ink, no Surface with e-ink, no ASUS with e-ink, even though this is the best thing an operator can do to his tired eyes.

baobun 14 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I think PineNote qualifies by now?

https://pine64.org/devices/pinenote/

Also https://usetrmnl.com/

ablob 18 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I'd wager that the whole modus operandi for desktop environments is not made with e-ink in mind. E-ink fits in a situation where only a few updates are ever required, and completely breaks down for anything requiring higher framerates.

The market might just not be big enough to warrant creating a product.

axiolite 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> the whole modus operandi for desktop environments is not made with e-ink in mind

It used-to be in the DOS and terminal days, and it wouldn't take much to get us back there. Shut off all the eye-candy transition effects. Make your web browser, PDF viewer, etc., always scroll a full page at a time, instead of scrolling 1mm when you click on the button or use the mouse wheel. Just those few changes and you'll have something that'll work pretty well.

nottorp 11 hours ago | parent [-]

The problem is, you can't doom scroll 1 minute videos on e-ink.

It's a feature of course, but most people don't realize it.

folmar 10 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It's not usual for PC, but if you select "remove animation" on Android you're good on 2 fps. Many applications do like crap as the first placeholders are given little attention, but there are only big refreshes, and only handful of apps written so bad that they ignore the setting and make animated placeholder.

The only thing is that you need to stick to Page Up/Page Down for scrolling.

shaky-carrousel 14 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

But it was. 90s laptops had a refresh rate comparable to e-ink. That's why the windows mouse cursor can be configured to leave a trace.

jwrallie 14 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It could be sold without any dedicated software, and let the community come up with the interface. Just an LVDS display that fits a widely available Thinkpad would do it.

fragmede 18 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

https://shop.dasung.com/products/dasung-paperlike-103-the-wo...

This is that product. A 60 Hz eink monitor, for $340.

nihiven 18 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I have one of these. It's only 'ok'. There is significant ghosting and it's not very good when the scene is dark, but it's much better than my BOOX tablet. I just got it so I'm still experimenting with different uses.

Here's a clip of it playing video: https://youtu.be/povlk3hKTVA

danparsonson 16 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I had no idea such a thing existed, thanks - did you need to install anything to get it working or does it just plug and go like a normal monitor?

nihiven 10 hours ago | parent [-]

It functions like a normal monitor. It connected to my Macbook air (M2) and Windows machine without installing anything. It has a USB-C video port, but an HDMI->USB-C converter works too. It has an 1872x1404 (4:3) resolution, which is why I used Miami Vice for the video. It would not connect to my PS5, which I think comes down to the PS5 only supporting 16:9/21:9.

j_bum 17 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Wow that’s far more impressive than I expected. I want a laptop with this for programming…

OtomotO 15 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

On the product page "Linux is not supported"... What a bummer!

dotancohen 15 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It's specifically says no Linux support. It seems to me that excludes a large portion of tinkerers and those willing to accept the downsides of bleeding edge technologies, which is probably also their target market. Such as me.

anthk 13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

CWM or any light WM could perfectly fit. Once you either use terminal tools or ancient Motif applications (or QT with no animations at all), everything looks usable. Forget Gnome 4 or Plasma with all the bells and wistles on.

shakna 12 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Whilst they're certainly not Apple, you can walk into most retailers, and out with one of Boox's offerings.

(Just be aware they're open GPL violators.)

Zambyte 10 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I'm replying to this comment on a Daylight Computer.