My Ideal Libre Computer+Phone
I have a very clear idea of what my “ideal” computer would be. It would incorporate all of the best aspects of the different computers (including smartphones!) I already use today, into a single machine.
First, it would have the form factor of a typical smartphone. This would allow me to carry it everywhere, and use it both one-handed and two-handed. I might even have it be a “hotdog-style foldable” to allow for comfier reading. That form factor would also allow me to stand it on a table without the use of an external kickstand.
Second, it would have powerful and open-source internals. It would have a chip equivalent in performance and efficiency to Apple’s M-series. As much RAM (> 16GB) storage (> 1TB) and battery (> 4000 mAh) that could fit in it. A USB-C port. Nothing extraneous… no gimmicks. All of it would be 100% open source, well documented, and free of black-boxes.
Third, it would run a fully free-and-open-source operating system based on GNU+Linux. The user would have full root permissions on this OS, and it would be a true Linux distro, not an Android derivative. It would use a declarative style of package management. It would be able to switch its display and window managers on-the-fly to suit whatever form factor it was being used in. Emulators and compatibility layers would allow apps and programs written for other systems to be used seamlessly.
