100 sats \ 5 replies \ @0330830bf9 3 Nov 2022 \ on: What's your preferred hardware wallet ? bitcoin
Depends on purpose... Personal Storage? Remote Signing?
Assuming for personal storage, nothing is better than an old laptop.
Generally, HWWs are an added risk to personal storage because now you're adding complexity of process and intermediate code above and beyond Bitcoin Core.
A dedicated laptop with a minimal Linux install reduces surface risk, and the opsec is way better too.
I also disagree.
How a laptop can be more usable, secure, cheap, maintainable, tough, portable, conceable than an hardware wallet?
Talking about the laptop complexity you perhaps forgot all the OS stack, it is huge.
The supply chain attack for the HW? Did you hear about the libraries supply chain attacks that are popping everywhere?
I used Tails with a volatile boot to sign offline transaction and so on, too; but an HW is a relief in semplicity and user experience.
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I disagree.
While an old laptop might be a good solution for some, for many it's just not possible. Too hard and too much that can go wrong. Imagine telling your mom to boot a minimal linux distribution, install bitcoin core, sync the chain, create a wallet and secure it properly.
Hardware wallets can guide a new user much better through all the steps necessary to hold their own coins and really don't have many drawbacks.
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You were making a fair case until
really don't have many drawbacks.
The difference is nobody is "selling" the laptop support because there's nothing to be gained.
When thinking about HWWs, the question is, do you want a product or do you want a solution.
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want a product or do you want a solution.
Perhaps a better solution sometime needs a new product :)
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Not really sure what you're trying to say here? That storing your coins safely and accesible is not a problem or that hardware wallets don't fix it?
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