Replacing a Computer with a Phone

If you’ve talked to me recently, you probably know how much I struggle when my tools aren't in sync. I’ve spent years building various apps to solve my own problems but I usually end up stuck because the specific tool or data I need is on a different device.

I spent a long time being frustrated that I couldn’t easily get cross-platform features to work exactly how I wanted. Eventually, I’d just give up and go back to whatever apps were already on the market, leaving behind a bunch of half-finished projects. It took some time to admit that using existing tools isn't a bad thing. I don't need to build every single part of my system from scratch to have a good workflow.

That’s why I started looking into power-user tools that could help me stay productive on the go. A few months ago, I got a new device and set a goal: make it good enough to act as a phone as PC replacement.

I’ve started calling this setup the Mobputer. I’m still working around some hardware limits, but I’m finally happy with what I can get done with just a few inches... hehe Here are the main things I needed to make a mobile computing setup actually work.

Choosing an Adaptive Device Size

If a phone is going to replace a laptop, the screen size has to be flexible. It needs to work for quick tasks and long work sessions without feeling cramped.

  • Standard Phone Mode: I need a normal form factor for the usual stuff - texting, calls and browsing.

  • Tablet Mode: For deep work, watching movies, or more complex tasks, I need a larger screen.

The idea is to stop carrying a heavy laptop everywhere. I’d rather have my whole digital life in my pocket where it’s easier to keep track of.

System Access and a Mobile Developer Setup

Since I work in dev, this can't just be a basic smartphone. I need a real mobile developer setup that can handle technical tasks and give me access to the underlying system.

  • Running Linux on a Phone: I need a functional Linux environment directly on the device. This lets me manage local files, use SSH to get into my servers, and work with Git repositories.

  • Total Customization: I’ve been messing with (and occasionally breaking) phones since I got my first one. I need to be able to change themes, icons and the UI layout so it feels comfortable for my specific needs.

  • Automation and Scripting: I need to run scripts that generate files I can use immediately. Whether it’s optimizing images or rendering audio, the goal is to produce files that I can access from any of my other devices.

Audio, Video, and Media Creation

The Mobputer has to be more than just a coding terminal, it needs to handle media production too.

  • Music Production: Working with audio requires precision. A larger screen makes it much easier to adjust effects or scrub through a timeline. I frequently use tools like Demucs to separate tracks, which requires a decent amount of processing power.

  • Cameras and Storage: I do a lot of photo editing, so a good camera with optical zoom is a must.

  • Performance Tweak: Processing media is heavy on resources. I usually look for devices with plenty of RAM and storage. I also tend to set up extra swap memory as soon as I get a new device to make sure it doesn't slow down when I'm multitasking.

Keeping Notes and Data in Sync

A single device isn't very useful if the data is trapped inside it. Everything has to stay synced with my other systems.

  • Plain Text Notes: I keep all my daily notes in plain text. This makes them easy to edit in any app and ensures they stay accessible across all my backups.

  • Git for Content: I use Git to push updates and write for my personal website directly from the phone.

  • Health Data: I like having access to my raw health data so I can run my own analytics. I’ve written scripts that pull this data so I can look for my own insights rather than just relying on the default apps.

What’s Next?

At the end of the day, the goal is for everything on the Mobputer to sync back to my home servers. This gives me the flexibility to switch to a different environment whenever I want without losing my progress.

In the next few posts, I’ll talk more about the specific apps I’m using, how I configured the Linux environment and the hardware tweaks that made this setup possible.