Hacker News Reader

I don't really get why they didn't go with HDMI alt mode here, and stick with usb-c ports

They say pretty directly in the post that they didn't want to deal with the hassles around dongles and uncommon ports for using this as a Linux PC in their pocket.

is usb-c really an uncommon port these days? I think I have more usb-c to hdmi cables lying around than actual hdmi cables

Imagine you check into a hotel, and want to use the in-room TV as your display. There is probably a set top box there with an HDMI port going to the TV. You would be able to unplug that and plug it into your Flipper One because it has a full-sized HDMI port.

Go to any store, and look at what cable they use to connect their POS computer to the display. It's probably HDMI.

For better or worse, HDMI is extremely ubiquitous.

In contrast, I have never owned a USB-C to HDMI cable, and I don't know of any device except perhaps my phone that might be able to make use of one.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com