Best linux handheld/phone

Shyfer · 04-02-2011, 03:46 PM

I'm looking to buy a linux smartphone(no android) or handheld and was wondering what would be the best avaliable in your opinion. Price is not a problem (but be reasonable).

The devices I know so far:

Smartphones:
N900 (maemo ftw)

Gaming:
OpenPandora
Dingoo (kinda beta, but still)

The pandora is really nice, but too big and expensive, so I think i will get the n900. Any opinions?

MS3FGX · 04-02-2011, 04:51 PM

Well, the best is certainly going to be Android based; but if you aren't interested in Android, you really don't have much to chose from. The N900 is probably the only serious option at that point.

Shyfer · 04-02-2011, 07:17 PM

Sad to see there is probably nothing else decent. I fell like android isn't linux, 'feels' weird.
How about other handheld devices? The pandora is the best I've seen, shame it is so big (can't comfortably carry in a pocket).

prushik · 04-06-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyfer

Sad to see there is probably nothing else decent. I fell like android isn't linux, 'feels' weird.
How about other handheld devices? The pandora is the best I've seen, shame it is so big (can't comfortably carry in a pocket).

Well, Android is Linux, but its gross overuse of Java does really bother me. Wouldn't keep me from getting an android phone though. Anyway, as far as other options, you could look into QT Extended phone such as the greenphone, but its rather old.
You could also check out OpenMoko's QT Extended Improved phones such as the Neo FreeRunner

Shyfer · 04-07-2011, 11:24 AM

I know android is linux but I don't feel comfortable using it, even if I find an dual core 1.2ghz 1gb ram, etc, android phone at the same price than a N900 I'll probably get the N900, maemo makes all the difference. Greenphone and Freerunner are somewhat old, don't have physical keyboard and lack a decent community around them.
I'll probably get an N900, and if N950 (when and if released) is good enough I give the N900 to a relative and get an N950 for me.

business_kid · 04-08-2011, 03:08 AM

Android _IS_ Linux. You have to root it, which allows you to scrap the basic neutered android system and get to a more competitive rom geared at the user more than the marketing guys.

Check the ram in what you get. All these roms are getting more bloated, and they overpower my older HTC phone unless I uninstall chunks of it. As I klnow what I want my phone for, that's easy, but it wouldn't suit everyone.

Shyfer · 04-09-2011, 01:23 AM

With some work I could customize android for my needs, but IMO maemo is just way better. Also, n900 is a good phone, could have a better processor and stuff but still a great phone, it still has a few years before becoming obsolete.
So, any other interesting linux devices? Not only phones, any interesting handheld would be nice...