Bento Is An All-In-One Computer Designed To Be Useful

All-in-one computers in which the mainboard lurked beneath a keyboard were once the default in home computing, but more recently they have been relegated to interesting niche devices such as the Raspberry Pi 400 and 500.

The Bento is another take on the idea, coming at it not with the aim of replacing a desktop machine, instead as a computer for use with wearable display glasses. The thinking goes that when your display is head mounted, why carry around a screen with your laptop.

On top it’s a keyboard, but underneath it’s a compartmentalized space similar to the Japanese lunchboxes which lend the project its name. The computing power comes courtesy of a Steam Deck so it has a USB-C-for-everything approach to plugging in a desktop, though there’s a stated goal to produce versions for other boards such as the Raspberry Pi. There’s even an empty compartment for storage of peripherals.

We like this computer, both for being a cyberdeck and for being without a screen so not quite like the other cyberdecks. It’s polished enough that we could almost imagine it as a commercial product. It’s certainly not the first Steam Deck based cyberdeck we’ve seen.

16 thoughts on “Bento Is An All-In-One Computer Designed To Be Useful

          1. not it has worked for some reason?

            Well, my original comment is gone now anyway.
            Sth. along the lines of PAI (pseudoAI) not being able to properly recognize irony, sarcasm, jokes or comedy so every meme and comment on the net is potential poison for PAI

  1. I can’t stand these glasses. I bought the Xreal Air and I just can’t use it. I keep having to refocus after every eye movement even if it’s a small movement. After 5 minutes, I have to take them off. I have no idea how others do this. I’m slightly nearsighted, so I can’t see things that are far way, but up close everything is clear. I take my glasses off when I’m reading a book.

    1. The Airs are extremely sensitive to your prescription. Even mild shortsightedness means you won’t have a good time with them. I’m only about 0.25/0.5 dioptres out, and getting prescription inserts for the Airs made a massive difference to their clarity for me.

      1. You learn to touch type the number row.
        It took me a while, but now I’m very comfortable without a 10 key.

        Don’t get me wrong, I’m still faster and more consistent with a 10 key, although it’s nice to not have to move my hand when typing occasional numbers in something that is otherwise text.
        The keeb enthusiasts tend to insist that no one needs a 10 key; in truth they just want to spend less on switches / keycaps :)

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