There is a huge number of offers from different manufacturers on the laptop computer market. There are both universal and specialized systems. One of them is a miniature laptop-transformer for system administrators, data center engineers and specialists in related professions.
This miracle of technology is called One Netbook A1. Display size is only 7 inches, touch screen. There is stylus support and a QWERTY keyboard for entering text in the usual way. True, how convenient it is to type on such a keyboard is still a question. The One Netbook A1 has a large number of interfaces (there is RS-232) and several additional features.
Device characteristics
- Screen: 7 inches with a resolution of 1920 * 1200.
- Processor: Intel Core m3-8100Y 8th generation.
- Graphics: Intel UHD 615.
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Internal memory: SSD 256 or 512 GB.
- Ports: 1 USB Type-C, 2 USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 micro HDMI, audio input, Ethernet (gigabit), RS-232, there is a slot for microSD.
- Battery: 6000 mAh.
- Wireless: WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2.
- Mass: 550 gr.
- Size: 173mm x 135mm x 18mm.
The body is made of aluminum , quite durable. The choice is logical: if the device is intended for engineers, then it will be used in conditions that are very different from home.
The laptop is small, the screen rotates, so you can turn the device into a tablet and enter text with a stylus. By the way, the keyboard has a backlight - probably for work in poor lighting (the attic of a multi-storey building, for example).
The location of some buttons raises questions, but those who have already tried the device say that you can type, there are no particular problems. The main thing is to get used to it, which does not take much time. After a couple of hours of work, one user was able to type 66 words per minute at a typical speed of 90 words per minute on a full-size keyboard.
There is no usual touchpad, instead there is an infrared touch-sensor, to which you also need to get used to. But there are touchpad control buttons - there are two of them, as it should be.
Computer performance is sufficient for most business tasks. You can even watch videos in 4K quality at 60 FPS if you want. The battery lasts about 5 hours of video playback in 1080p mode. Probably, the device will be able to last twice as long in the conditions of performing engineering tasks.
There is an external speaker, but no camera - in principle, it is not really needed here.
As for the upgrades, the device can only replace the SSD (M.2 2242) and the wireless card if desired. RAM and processor are soldered on the board.
What about Linux? This is an important question that, of course, will arise for the engineer. In general, everything works with Ubuntu: audio, communication, keyboard shortcuts, etc. Sometimes there is a problem with the orientation of the screen, but not so often.
Overall, the One Netbook A1 is a solid tool for an engineer. You can take it with you anywhere, including the same building attic, data center or server room. No one has figured out how shockproof it is. Probably, it will withstand a drop from a small height thanks to the aluminum case (if the screen does not fall on something like a stone).
Its cost is from $ 560 to $ 680 for different versions (depending on the amount of RAM, SSD). Sold on Aliexpress and a couple of other resources.
