Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System
Ranked 6 of 7 handheld computers by recommenders
Retro-styled portable computer that people admire for its 80s design and want more of, though critics call it a novelty and find it expensive at $2000.
Retro-styled portable computer that people admire for its 80s design and want more of, though critics call it a novelty and find it expensive at $2000.
13 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 8
- criticize it
- 5
- approval share
- 62%
Recommended in 1 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 8 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 1.6 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, not met.
- Recommended in 1 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Appealing 80s retro design
“Instantly in love with the 80s ad design cues in the website design.”
Comment from 14 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System” “Still, it’s a nice design.”
Comment from 15 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System” Strong demand for more units
“Launch a Kickstarter to make pre-built versions of this IMMEDIATELY.”
Comment from 14 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System” “I honestly need ~5 of these.”
Comment from 15 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Feels like a novelty, not practical
“these devices really are just a novelty, at least for me”
Comment from 14 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System” “If you want a working one, not so much.”
Comment from 15 Dec 2025 in “The Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing System”
Other handheld computers people recommend
The four most recommended other handheld computers, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flipper One | 53 | 47 | 53% | 2 | — | — |
| GPD Pocket | 14 | 3 | 82% | 8 | 6 mo3 owners | Approved |
| ClockworkPi uConsole | 10 | 1 | 91% | 5 | — | Approved |
| MNT Pocket Reform | 10 | 3 | 77% | 5 | — | Approved |
| Typeframe PX-88 Portable Computing SystemThis page | 8 | 5 | 62% | 1 | — | — |
What people said
All 13 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“Still, it’s a nice design.”
“If you want a working one, not so much.”
“You need an adapter to connect it to a monitor or TV.”
“I would get rid of the screen and replace it with projection glasses.”
“it bugs me that the screen isn't centered on the keyboard”
“I honestly need ~5 of these.”
“$2000 seems ridiculously overpriced”
“Instantly in love with the 80s ad design cues in the website design.”
“In my experience that is in the range of 4-6 hours.”
“these devices really are just a novelty, at least for me”
“Launch a Kickstarter to make pre-built versions of this IMMEDIATELY.”
“this makes a lot more sense, can DIY”
“But can we please stop retconning obsolete technology into something to strive for?”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.