Small form factor computational device with USB and Wifi

November 10, 2015 4:49 PM

I need to know what else is out there that has a USB port, and a Wifi antenna, is cheap, and can be carried with me on a trip (on foot). Keyboard, Disk drive, HDD larger than 32GB are all basically unnecessary.

Pretty basic stuff.
I am going to be traveling at length, and need a way to upload videos taken on a camera to the internet. I'm pretty careful with my technology, but durability is a plus, performance is not necessary (I don't want/need to do any video processing, and my price point is low... Like $300 low.)
I've been looking at what seem to be my options:
1. Craigslist thinkpad (My favorite)
2. Chromebook
2.5 Netbook
3. Used Toughbook
4.... ?
I know there are options out there that I don't know of, which hopefully some of you do.

posted by shenkerism to Computers & Internet (17 answers total)

Intel compute stick?

Or a "NUC" minicomputer?
posted by rustcrumb at 4:56 PM on November 10, 2015

Maybe something like this?
posted by lunastellasol at 5:00 PM on November 10, 2015

I would go with an ASUS Chromebook. I took that with me on an extended work trip to the Philippines and the beautiful thing about it was that it is so light. Chrombook also has a great deal where you can often get free satellite WiFi on airplane flights.

I also have a Dell Chromebook 13 that is quite nice, but heavier than the ASUS Chromebook.
posted by Nevin at 5:06 PM on November 10, 2015

Raspberry pi? Mine is exactly what you describe and can run off a 10,000mah usb battery charger for days.
posted by chasles at 5:21 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

Seconding Raspberry Pi. I don't think Wifi is yet standard, I haven't checked lately, but USB wifi adapters that extend about 1/4" out from the USB socket are par for the course on Rpi machines. It's powered by USB, it runs a variety of linux distros from an SD card.

There's no standard case for Rpi; you'll want to locate a durable one for yours. But it's lightweight, crazy cheap (with the wifi adapter but without the case, you could be looking at as much as USD $60, probably less) to the point of almost being disposable. It's half the size of the NUC and around the size of the Intel Computer Stick.
posted by Sunburnt at 5:33 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

Chromebook or the HP Stream 11, around $200 either way.
posted by Aranquis at 5:41 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

For needs this limited, would an eyefi be enough for you?
posted by kickingtheground at 5:57 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]

I also love used Thinkpads, but in this case, I think it's overkill isn't it?

Have you thought about a phone (or if you prefer, tablet) with a USB OTG cable attached? That way you can access USB or SD card (via SD card reader) storage.

Or you could even get a little widget like this and skip the OTG cable entirely.
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 6:07 PM on November 10, 2015

Response by poster: I'm sorry, there's information I could have added that I only implied with my ideas so far. "I don't need a keyboard" was supposed to mean a touchscreen was not a problem, but basic i/o is a preference.
Wifi is only necessary because I will not be carrying a smart phone/plan.
posted by shenkerism at 6:11 PM on November 10, 2015

Best answer: You can use a smartphone without a data plan (ie unactivated) and just use the wifi. Then just use a micro usb to usb adapter (assuming android phone here...they're cheaper and easier to do this with...check swappa.com for deals on used phones)
Another possibility is to pick up a SanDisk ultra dual usb drive...it's like a regular usb stick with regular usb on one end and micro usb on the other...depending on what your camera has...otherwise what J.N.T suggested.
A smartphone without voice /data activated will do everything you need, fits in your pocket, and, if your budget is up to 300, will probably get you last years top of the line samsung, plus a 64gb microsd card, and be able to process/edit video with a free app or two.
posted by sexyrobot at 7:03 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

"I don't need a keyboard" was supposed to mean a touchscreen was not a problem, but basic i/o is a preference.

yeah, on a smartphone all you need is an adapter cable for this...probably like $3 on amazon. (I suggest a galaxy note 2 or 3...they are just plain rad, in your budget, and the bigger/highres screen (higher than a netbook, actually) will help with handling video.
posted by sexyrobot at 7:08 PM on November 10, 2015

Along the same lines as the RasPi, consider a beaglebone black with a touch-screen cape. There's a USB port that you can attach a low-profile USB Wifi Dongle. Unfortunately, that would use up the USB port you'd use to connect your camera, so YMMV.
posted by Void_Ptr at 7:26 PM on November 10, 2015

Buy a wireless travel router and add a 32 GB usb stick for storage. You get a wall adapter and extra charger as part of the deal.
posted by bonehead at 7:42 PM on November 10, 2015

Response by poster: I'm shaking my head at myself over here, so you don't have to.
Pretty cool answers, and I wanted a pi, but I didn't realize USB hosting on smartphones was possible at this point. That solves my problem almost totally.
posted by shenkerism at 7:42 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]

I didn't realize USB hosting on smartphones was possible

Not all of them do it. The feature to check for is called USB OTG (for "on-the-go").
posted by flabdablet at 5:38 AM on November 11, 2015

If you're after durability in an android smartphone I'd recommend checking out the Samsung S5 Active. Make sure you get the "Active" not the standard S5. Excellent phone, built like a tank, waterproof. Seems to be USB OTG compatible too.
posted by merocet at 11:41 AM on November 11, 2015

HP Stream 7 Windows tablet. 1GB ram, which works surprisingly well with Windows 8.1/10. WiFi, 32gb storage, SD card slot, USB $100 on Amazon, or cheaper from me (it's a nice little device, I just don't have a need for it). MeMail me.
posted by lhauser at 9:08 PM on November 11, 2015