This thing is going down the rabbit hole just as I thought it might. Analysis paralysis will get to me. I’m mentally regrouping.
First thought: “functionally equivalent” is fine. I don’t need exactly identical. Maybe “both stay in sync” was also too much to ask.
Second thought: One of two devices being “air gapped” is a way to hinder a single event (ransomware!) from propagating system to system. At least I think so. I like that idea.
Third thought: I’m drawn like moth to flame to stupid, unique, and weird ideas. There exists the siren song of the new Raspberry Pi 4. I’ve played around with a Raspberry Pi before but it didn’t become useful production computer. They’re cute but toyish and tinkery. Even so, there’s something about a dirt cheap disposa-computer appeals to me. What about a Raspberry Pi 4 setup with Linux and basic abilities? I suppose if it could check all my e-mails, surf, do light blogging, maybe run off batteries and has it’s own little screen it would be a fine “backup”? It would have to access my data via my RAID and cloud sources? Leave it off the net and it’s air gapped for when the Russians and the squirrels attack my laptop. A Pi “spare tire” might be a nice parachute if the main laptop bites the big one? It’s cheap, but is it stupid? I do use an Android Kindle all the time but it’s no good for regular stuff like e-mail or whatnot… I’m sure a Pi has more grunt & flexibility than the weirdly convoluted Amazon device? (My Kindle is also dying… it too will need a replacement in due time.) Sane people… please talk me out of the Pi.
Fourth thought: No need to move fast. This is a Christmas goal. (Really, it’s a New Year’s goal.)
Fifth thought: A tablet is fine for reading but if it’s going to be useful for more than consuming media I’m going to need my trusty USB keyboard. Also I’m (ideally) tied to two pieces of finicky software on at least one of two devices; Scrivener (which is Win, iOS, Mac, and I’ve run it under Wine) and Dragon NaturallySpeaking (which I mean to use more but never do… regardless, I have a Win license for it). Mrs. Curmudgeon extols the virtue of iDevices and she may have a point. How’s this match with the things I mentioned?
Lord help me, I used to like playing with computers and now I don’t. I just want them to shut up and serve me like a toaster. I’m definitely swimming upstream. Is this what it’s like to get old?
Get those damn kids off my lawn!
A.C.