So, the question of what to do with all the bulk I can create, and my friend pointed out that her main limitation on getting a high-powered computer was that you had to pay a lot extra to miniaturize it back down to portable.
- A datapad is a technological item, so I can make a datapad.
- A datapad is a tier 1 computer miniaturized to tier 0.
- Datapads of higher tiers exist, and become expensive because of the miniaturization required. Can I make those, or just the standard Space Costco one?
- I have a lot more bulk available to create than just L. It seems like a lot more of a stretch to just go make a computer- those don't have rules for how they get power. That's probably into houserule territory. Figured I'd mention it, though!
- Datapads of higher tiers exist, and become expensive because of the miniaturization required. Can I make those, or just the standard Space Costco one?
Yes, you can create a higher tier datapad by applying the base cost for the computer tier and the cost of the miniaturization upgrade(s):
Tier 2 datapad = 300 cr (250 + [2 x 25])Tier 3 datapad = 1,625 cr (1,250 + [3 x 125])
Tier 4 datapad = 7,000 cr (5,000 + [4 x 500])
etc.
- I have a lot more bulk available to create than just L. It seems like a lot more of a stretch to just go make a computer- those don't have rules for how they get power. That's probably into houserule territory. Figured I'd mention it, though!
You can carry around a computer that is greater than L bulk, but there are restrictions on use. "Any computer with a bulk of 1 or more must be held or set on a sturdy surface to be used."
As far as power goes, the self-charging upgrade states "While most computers can operate for up to 24 hours on internal batteries, this upgrade makes it so that the computer can function for up to 1 week on its internal power alone. Multiple purchases of this upgrade each extend the time by 1 additional week." (emphasis mine)
- Datapads of higher tiers exist, and become expensive because of the miniaturization required. Can I make those, or just the standard Space Costco one?Yes, you can create a higher tier datapad by applying the base cost for the computer tier and the cost of the miniaturization upgrade(s):
Tier 2 datapad = 300 cr (250 + [2 x 25])
Tier 3 datapad = 1,625 cr (1,250 + [3 x 125])
Tier 4 datapad = 7,000 cr (5,000 + [4 x 500])
etc.- I have a lot more bulk available to create than just L. It seems like a lot more of a stretch to just go make a computer- those don't have rules for how they get power. That's probably into houserule territory. Figured I'd mention it, though!You can carry around a computer that is greater than L bulk, but there are restrictions on use. "Any computer with a bulk of 1 or more must be held or set on a sturdy surface to be used."
As far as power goes, the self-charging upgrade states "While most computers can operate for up to 24 hours on internal batteries, this upgrade makes it so that the computer can function for up to 1 week on its internal power alone. Multiple purchases of this upgrade each extend the time by 1 additional week." (emphasis mine)
Ah, thanks! Hmm. Rereading it…
"Equipment that requires a battery or ammunition to function must be loaded to function. When you create such equipment, you can have it absorb and automatically load one appropriately sized battery or set of suitable ammunition in your possession. Any item that uses a battery with fewer than 20 charges can instead use a standard battery."I don't know how that interacts with either a computer's internal battery, or a personal comm unit's 80 charge battery (Fortunately, datapads do the same thing but with a cheap, normal battery.) Battery stuff continues to be weird in Starfinder.