We have a poll like this for the Reform itself. Much life the Reform I am surprised at just how capable and useful the Pocket Reform is. If I had to use the Pocket as my sole computer, I 100% could. Especially with the RK3588 upgrade on the horizon for my Pocket.
So with that, let’s give MNT some feedback and help them to see how excellent their efforts are translated out in the wild:
Yes, I bought a Pocket Reform with the intention of daily-ing it
Yes, I too find the Pocket Reform as capable of a being a daily driver, and will be using it that way now
Yes, it is possible to daily the Pocket Reform, but I will not be*
No, it is not possible to daily with the Pocket Reform **
0voters
‘*’ - Please explain if you will what the barrier to this is below.
‘**’ - Please explain why you think this, or what is holding you back.
I know for me, the keyboard was a steep learning curve but I am finding that I am really getting good at it. This whole post was written on the Pocket, for example.
Thanks for your participation and feedback!
Edit: I get that daily driver might be ambiguous, so I’ll define it a bit more. In this context it means that you, at a minimum, use it every day. If it is your only computer or only laptop that is a part of it as well. But is on top of the minimum.
I think the overarching point is that you could TOTALLY use the Pocket as your ONLY computer.
For me, I am daily driving but not consistently. I am waiting for a few things to arrive. (power bank that can get me reliably through an entire 24 hour period, and the RK upgrade.)
I’m not exactly sure what “daily driver” means in this context but I picked that vote.
I use the Pocket on a regular basis but it’s not my main computer (that role belongs to a Debian desktop PC). It’s definitely not “just for tinkering” for me and it’s the only laptop I have.
I bring it with me to university several days a week or in general when I’m not at home and might need to get something done.
I am looking forward to the CPU upgrade though because the I.MX8M+ really isn’t cutting it in the long run. I can work with it for now but it’s often way too limiting in a lot of situations.
I originally think pocket reform would be served as a great side gadget as a simple writing tools(something like pomera dm250).
After using it for a while I found out it can actually replace my laptop, even in its 7 inch screen browsing internet will not make my eye sores, but I do spend some time to get used to pocket reform’s keyboard layout.
Although it’s not all rainbow and dubstep with pocket reform, something I find annoying are when I tried to access proxmox web-ui the webpage cannot display fully on 7 inch screen and even in poweroff the battery still drains a lots.
Have you tried a different browser? Seems like this would be a browser specific issue.
I could see this for sure. But I will say that I think the M+ is actually a significant improvement over the imx8 in the Reform. So for me I like it. I also like that I have built in bluetooth.
But the performance improvement of the RK is just undeniable. Really looking forward to it as well.
It is currently my personal daily driver. It may take me another few months to find my perfect configuration. I am running the I.MX8M+ and I have the RCM4-BPi on the shelf. I am waiting on installing that until I have a good reason to make the change.
I actually bought the Pocket Reform out of curiosity. I do have the “big” Reform and use it as my second computer (I like both the screen size and the keyboard and appreciate low battery usage when off).
The Pocket Reform I have been using mainly for traveling (in trains where are both power outlets and good WiFi) and this generally works OK (after the WiFi upgrade). I have learned how to use its keyboard (my main problem is to remember where to find ~, { and } ) but its heat issues and its big batery usage when off makes me careful when using it more often. I sometimes use it “docked” with an external (MNT v3) keyboard, external mouse and the HDMI monitor. Usually with an USB fan pointed to the rear of the Reform.
I intend to use it daily, and it is an awesome gadget - still need to set up software on it and get it configured to my liking, but have already upgraded to the RK3588, and have a 2TB drive in it (not set up yet).
Had a few bumps on the road so far though
Getting the system controller firmware updated showed errors and was unintuitive, but got it sorted now and charging works fine
Sometimes the OLED doesn’t come on at all - not sure the cause - but combinations of plugging / unplugging / switching on and off seems to get it working after a while. Perhaps related to how much charge there is in the battery, but without any visual indication, it’s a concern.
Wifi cutting out when the temperature increases. I’ve only noticed this while using YouTube when I tested it, but was pretty unusable due to cutting out. Hopefully I may be able to (obtain a) mod to improve that somehow.
When it is running reliably and setup as I like it - hoping to use it as a minimalist (distraction-free) alternative to my mobile / laptop for writing, hacking, (language) study.
It’s silly, but I also like fiddling with the keyboard LED settings on occasion (to fit my mood). Might be fun to write a script to match the colour to the active wallpaper or something…
I like the pocket reform but I’m still struggling to get used to keyboard size and display size. So at home on the couch or in bed I tend to reach for the classic reform as I’ve grown quite comfortable with that over the years. I don’t hook it up to my monitor and keyboard at home as its too much of a pain to unhook everything from my thunderbolt dock and plug it into the pocket. If it could connect via thunderbolt/usb4 I’d be more likely to dock it at home and use it more that way.
I do bring the pocket to work pretty much every day and plug it into a spare external monitor and keyboard that was previously used for a pi and old thinkpad for when I need to use linux to actually get stuff done.
I think I get enough use out of its compactness to justify the purchase, just at home I’ll probably reach for something else.
I would like to bring mine with me to work, but as of right now, i’m looking for a solution to have enough power to make it through the work day.
It actually works out as I am using Amospalla’s psuspend service to just cut down on power consumption. This keeps the SoC warm and also helps the components to stay warm, despite the temps in the car. I have to leave it in the car because I work in a secure environment.
I have gotten quite good at typing on it, but there are still times when it seems harder than others.
I think with the RK3588 in it, it is really going to scream. I am hopeful that the suspend situation can be figured out there one day as well.
When I need it to last a whole day, I bring a USB-C power bank and that works really well (except I have to remember to plug it in before booting for some reason or it won’t charge). With a 20000mAh power bank it lasts forever. I could probably cover a whole weekend with that setup.
Yeah I just wanted to get a powerbank that has 18650 cells in it, that you can replace. I found one, but it is dumb and only does 5v @ 2.5a. So now I have another on order that can do more volts and is PD capable. I am hoping that this one work, as it is going to be circa 60000mAh.
I would love to have such a power bank but for LiFePO4 chemistry cells which I could then use to re-use old batteries that used to be in my classic Reform…
I’m purchasing the Pocket Reform soon
This device will become my main and my macbook pro will only be used for media production which im doing less and less.
A PDA was always too low powered, a micro PC is out dated, a smartphone or tablet has no good keyboard.
This device is finally going to become my ultimate UMPC with omg a mechanical keyboard!
All i need for a main device is a good keyboard and the small size. 7 inch is just bare minimum for being useful.
Mine is a secondary and travel device primarily because I have other full size machines that are dailies, but I think it absolutely could be a daily driver if I paired with a larger display for some of my regular tasks.