Linglong, a Chinese computer manufacturer, has recently unveiled their foldable keyboard PC. Although not a novel idea, it boasts the latest technology from AMD. With an 8840U processor, this places the keyboard PC in a similar category as handheld devices such as the Ayaneo 2S.
The Linglong keyboard PC comes with the option of either 16GB or 32GB of RAM and is also compatible with a 2230-sized NVMe SSD, similar to many mini PCs, handhelds, and laptops.
Linglong’s plans include providing options of either 512GB or 1TB. Additionally, the device is equipped with two USB-C ports and a USB Type-A port. It is also compatible with a 100W GaN charger and boasts a 16,000 mAh battery, offering 60-watt hours of power. The device can be controlled using a small touchpad located next to the space bar.
During the presentation on Bilibili, the host made a peculiar mention that instead of using a screen, it is advised to use AR glasses. This suggestion would not only make the device highly portable, but also offer a significantly larger workspace compared to conventional monitors.
At a price of approximately $412 or $495 for the complete version, all of these features do not come cheap. But, do not anticipate being able to quickly purchase one either. According to Tom’s Hardware, currently only 200 units are being produced for testing purposes.
The 8840U, which is located inside, is considered a higher upgrade compared to the 7840U, currently favored by PC manufacturers. We have thoroughly tested this chip and its close relative, the Z1 Extreme, and found it to be nearly perfect for low to mid-range gaming.
Although the 8840U and its counterparts have similar power, the addition of an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) makes them more proficient at AI tasks.
Personal computers hidden inside keyboards have been around for a while. In the 1980s, companies like Commodore and Atari utilized this design approach to make personal computers more accessible for home use.
The Pi 400, which combines a custom Pi 4 into a tinker’s all-in-one, was also affected by the all-in-one tactic.
Linglong appears to be the next stage in this strange evolution of PCs, presenting a compact yet powerful mini-PC that is incredibly portable. However, there is currently no information available on when it will be fully released.
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