Most laptop computers released in the past few decades have a familiar design. With a few exceptions, you can expect a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio display on top and a low-profile keyboard and touchpad on the bottom.
The Kernelcom takes a different approach. According to the description in a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for this mini-laptop, it has a 12.5 inch ultrawide touchscreen display with a 24:9 aspect ratio. It has a mechanical keyboard with removable keycaps. And there’s no trackpad. The result is a portable computer that’s a bit thicker than most, but which still takes up considerably less space when folded.
In fact, at first glance I wasn’t even sure if Kernelcom was a laptop. It looks more like those keyboard-with-display accessories that keep showing up. But under the hood the Kernelcom has the guts of a decent little laptop from a few years ago.
Two models are available during crowdfunding: an entry-level configuration with an Intel N150 “Twin Lake” processor that ships with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed, and a version with mid-range specs including an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U Hawk Point processor that comes with Windows 11.
Both models have an unusual 1920 x 720 pixel OLED display that’s the kind of screen designed for automotive systems and other applications that are not laptops. But it should be fine for basic computing tasks as long as you didn’t need more than 720 vertical pixels (which you probably do for a lot of things these days).
Here are some key specs for each model:
| Kernelcom Intel | Kernelcom AMD | |
| Display | 12.5 inches 1920 x 720 pixels 75 Hz OLED 400 nits Multitouch optional ($10 add-on) | 12.5 inches 1920 x 720 pixels 75 Hz OLED 400 nits 10-point multitouch |
| Processor | Intel N150 4 cores / 4 threads Up to 3.4 GHz MP cache Intel graphics 6W TDP | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U 8 Zen 4 cores / 16 threads Up to 5.1 GHz 24MB total cache Radeon 780M graphics 28W TDP |
| OS (pre-installed) | Ubuntu (Windows available as optional add-on for an additional fee) | Windows 11 Pro |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5-4800 | 16GB DDR5-5200 |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 2280 | 1TB M.2 2280 |
| Battery | 38 Wh 20V/5A USB-PD charging | 57 Wh* 20V/5A USB-PD charging |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) 1 x HDMI 2.0 | 2 x USB4 Type-C (40 Gbps) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) 1 x HDMI 2.1 |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 | WiFi 7 BT 5.4 |
| Keyboard | 84 keys 80% size Outemu Blue Low Profile switches RGB LED lighting | |
| Dimensions | 321 x 140 x 36mm 12.6″ x 5.5″ x 1.4″ | |
| Weight | 1.24 kg 2.7 pounds | 1.43 kg 3.2 pounds |
| Price | Super Early Bird: $289 Kickstarter: $389 | Super Early Bird: $589 Kickstarter: $789 |
One graphic on the Kickstarter page says the AMD model has a 57 Wh battery, while another graphic says it’s a 64 Wh battery. I listed the lower of the two in the table above, because it seems likely that the notebook will have at *least a 57 Wh battery.
I’m not entirely convinced that this form-factor makes a lot of sense. While I am a fan of ultrawide displays that give you room to run multiple apps in side-by-side windows, I’m a little concerned about the lack of a touchpad and the limited height of this screen.
Both of those sacrifices would be easier to accept if the computer were a little more portable: it will probably take up a little less space in your bag than a full-sized notebook, but it’s not hard to find larger models in the same 2.7 to 3.2 pound weight range.
What is hard to find though, is a compact laptop with a mechanical keyboard. And that’s probably the key selling point for this little computer.
So maybe it’s best to think of the Kernelcom as a writerDeck-like portable writing device that happens to be a computer.
Something else to keep in mind? This is the first crowdfunding campaign from Kernelcom. There’s always some risk involved with crowdfunding. The company plans to begin shipping units to backers in February, 2026. But there’s no guarantee that everything will go according to plan, because backing a crowdfunding campaign isn’t the same as pre-ordering a product. In this case you’re pledging money to help fund mass production of a device that currnelty only exists in prototype form.
kinda wish it supported surface pens or something but i adore “different” looking laptops and so this still looks real neat.
This was some vaio minitop revival .no biggie.add 20 bucks for a touchscreen n minihdmi port
You write about Vaio P Pocket?
This is 4 times bigest ;(
In the past, it was possible to fit much more into a smaller enclosure.
I don’t understand the target audience because even a 15.6″ laptop fits inside any average sized backpack. I cannot think of a scenario where I would benefit by the space savings this gives me over a laptop form factor….maybe two extra underwears? 😅
I need 7-8 inch screen 😉
and 3 day working time
You alone are a small market for such product. Build yourself.
3 days working time for a small size… What CPU, screen tech and weight do you want for that?
PD: Try an HP 200LX. You can get a lot of working days.
The Intel model looks really interesting, if the BIOS has the option to lock aspect ratio so DOS applications aren’t stretched out then this will be amazing for retro gaming 😀
Once again, makers of products are just plain stupid. There just is no other explanation for a bad keyboard layout like this one. Look to the old Sony Vaios and really, any normal laptop keyboard. And the Vaios had a good mouse nub that did not take up room from the form factor. Sheeze, how can it be, that the makers of our society can’t think straight? The keyboard was invented and perfected back in 1997, for goodness sakes! The old Sony Vaio Picturebook was th pinacle of laptop design, and it has all been messed up from there. What a fallen world we live in. I just can’t believe how stupid people are. It is so easy to make something desireable to buy compared to this….. weird thing.
1/ No Sony, but IBM: trackpoint.
2/ Best keyboard and layout on laptop/notebook: old IBM ThinkPad. Even they had function keys grouped on 3 groups of 4 keys, as it must be to better using them.
3/ As this is a mechanical keyboard, you can exchange keycaos, and it is possible you can reprogram key codes, not only using OS keys relocating.
They mentioned Sony Vaio because Sony did a model with a similar aspect ratio… I don’t remember for certain of it had a nipple, like the IBM ThinkPad was famou for.
I know about Vaio P, and I know IBM didin’t used that ultrawide format because it never was good for working. But IBM did subnotebooks, and even one PC palmtop (Japan only): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Palm_Top_PC_110
(Of course Sony made for example Vaio UX Micro PC).
Vaio started in 1996 and it included a lot of form factor, not only ulrawide subonotebooks. There was even Vaio tower format computers. Only some series, like Vaio PictureBook, and Vaio P, were subnotebooks in ultrawide format. And all of them I know of have trackpoint/nub, because there is no place to other pointing stick.
About trackpint/nub: AFAIK IBM used those devices much earlier than Sony notebooks. IBM used it commercially in 1992. And while most abandoned it, IBM-Lenovo didin’t.
He say « Sony Vaio Picturebook was the pinNacle of laptop design » and I think it isn’t: materials, resistance, keyboard design and pointing buttons are much inferior to those on good IBM Thinkpad notebooks and subnotebooks. So no, those Vaios were not the pinnacle he says. Of course, as near no more big brands made such format, you can say it is best ultrawide notebook, but no more.
This Thinkpad keyboard is one of the pinnacles of “small” notebooks keyboards:
https://www.notebookcheck.org/fileadmin/_migrated/pics/34768_04.jpg
This Vaio ins’t such good:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Sony_vaio_subnotebook1.jpg
Look that Vaio keyboard: shift key after cursor keys. WTF is that? And all function keys together. Sorry, but that isn’t a pinnacle.
This seems super sketch. The pics all hide the back of the device so you can’t see it. The view of the ports in the video could be any device.
I am 90% sure this is just one of those keyboards mentioned in the article. It’s exactly the same size. I don’t know how they could fit the cooling needed for an 8840U and a battery in there when it has mechanical swappable key keyboard.
Willing to bet that if they ship anything, it will be a heyboard/display, a mini PC and a USB power bank.
I am afraid you are right. It could be with Intel N150, but with an AMD much more powerful and much more hungry, it is different.
Yes, cooling was my concern too. How can the same (small) chassis be suitable for both the N150 and 28W 8840U? If it’s suitable for the latter, how can it be economical for the former? This seems like a huge red flag.
This will be perfect for watching Sam Hyde videos
They call it a “smart keyboard” in the page title, but I don’t see any indication that you can just plug it into another computer and have it immediately recognize it as a keyboard.
But that’s the only time they mention it. Everything else on the page looks like they’re trying to take credit for inventing the laptop. …Actually the text is so generic I’d expect they had ChatGPT write it.
And yeah, the headphone jack was a “stretch goal”. Right. As if they hadn’t already laid out the circuit board for that.
Important to note that, at least from the Kickstarter page, there is no touch screen on the Linux version, only the Windows version. I was going to get the Linux one based on the idea it would have touch, but without that, I just don’t know how this would even work. I know that True Linux Users can navigate the entire UI with only a keyboard, but I am not so powerful.
I think it’d be more accurate to say there’s no touch screen on the Intel N150 model (which ships with Ubuntu). It’s x86, you probably should be able to choose your OS after buying it.
The creator mentioned in the comment section that they will offer a touchscreen upgrade in the pledge manager after the campaign ends, for only $10.
I’ve updated the spec table to reflect these details!
I think a trackooint or a small tracaball would be a must on this computer.
On other side I hate glare screens for serious use (typping/etc). And I suppose this computer is not great for multimedia consumption or gaming because of that form factor. It would be better with a matte screen IMO.
Why the guy is tiping so slowly, why ?!!!
Dimensions are important for carry on luggage, not so much weight. Its a great idea, a lot of people gonna use whatever input they prefer, anyway, be it mouse, trackpad, or something else. Then again a lot of people might just finger. It may be a good bedside computer, since amd one will keep legs plenty warm and you wouldnt want to slouch over for this to see the tiny print, it does not seem right for tabletop.
Or airplane using flatbed. Laptops beat flimsy stands for tablets in turbulence. ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)✨ ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)
I love that these are a sort of continuation of the Sony Vaio laptops from 20 years ago. I almost bought one on several occasions but the processors they used never met my minimum requirements. The AMD 8840U used here has been out for a couple years but its still an excellent processor. If they can deliver these below 600 dollars consistently then I think they will sell a ton of them.