Cheaper alternatives to Trezor.

[7Priest7]

Since the cost of BTC skyrocketed, all kinds of cheaper options are available.

Any android phone(all of them are cheaper than $800USD)
Most laptops/desktops/tablets(seriously most of them are less than 1BTC)
All iPhones/IPods

Also, what does Trezor actually do?
It stores your BTC, It is no better than a overpriced paper wallet anyhow.

Also, Does Trezor not rely on a computer?

Would be much better to get a T-Mobile capable tablet with t-mobiles free 200MB tablet data.
You could put the tablet in Airplane mode when you do not want to transfer BTC, Then transfer your safe bitcoins anywhere that T-Mobile can provide you free data.

[Gabi]

Also, what does Trezor actually do?
It stores your BTC, It is no better than a overpriced paper wallet anyhow.

Bullshit.
Trezor also make transactions. It allows you to securely spend your coins.

Also, Does Trezor not rely on a computer?

No, it works via usb to send the transactions, but just that.

Would be much better to get a T-Mobile capable tablet with t-mobiles free 200MB tablet data.

Sure, let's connect the device where your wallet reside to the internet, so everyone can steal all your coins.

[7Priest7]

Also, what does Trezor actually do?
It stores your BTC, It is no better than a overpriced paper wallet anyhow.

Bullshit.
Trezor also make transactions. It allows you to securely spend your coins.

The computer does the transaction, trezor needs usb/a computer to do anything more than store a private key.

Also, Does Trezor not rely on a computer?

No, it works via usb to send the transactions, but just that.

Funny, You invalidate your previous statement with this one.
Trezor can only store a private key, that key is used on a computer to do the actual transaction

Just a FYI a paper wallet is a printed private key.

Would be much better to get a T-Mobile capable tablet with t-mobiles free 200MB tablet data.

Sure, let's connect the device where your wallet reside to the internet, so everyone can steal all your coins.

The main reason I mentioned a BTC dedicated tablet with 200MB free data, it would allow you to trade bitcoins locally, freely, and easily.
I stated to keep the tablet in Airplane mode while not sending a transaction.
If you were using the tablet purely for btc you could encrypt it, and keep it off when not sending bitcoins.
You could do the same thing with a cheap $300USD laptop(- the ability to safely transfer BTC away from home).
TrueCrypt full hard drive encryption, Turn the laptop on only when you need to send BTC.

Trezor connects to a internet capable computer in order to send a transaction,

I again state that a paper wallet is infinitely better than trezor,
and a paper wallet won't cost a person the equivalent of $1,000USD

No Trezors have shipped yet, as far as we know they may never ship.

[Kupsi]

Trezor connects to a internet capable computer in order to send a transaction,
Also it sends the private key via USB, It is not really safer.

NO! It sends the signed transaction via USB, not the private key. The private key never leaves the Trezor.

[7Priest7]

NO! It sends the signed transaction via USB, not the private key. The private key never leaves the Trezor.

You cannot get confirmations for signed transactions that still reside in the Trezor,
Consequently you would need to bring a laptop to a local bitcoin trade to make any use of Trezor.

What happens when I use TREZOR for the first time?

When running TREZOR for the first time, a master private key is generated and written on a display in a form of 12, 18 or 24 words, depending on the protection strength you choose. It is recommended to write these words down and/or memorize them in order to be able to restore your TREZOR in case it's lost or stolen.

Having a written backup would expose it to the same vulnerability as a paper wallet.
Not having the written backup would expose it to loss/theft vulnerability.(The same vulnerability a paper wallet has.)(Also, A thief is more likely to steal a Trezor than a piece of paper that looks like nonsense to them)

Trezor is a cute novelty device, it adds no extra security compared to methods already available to store/use bitcoins.

[Chef Ramsay]

Where the fuck are these damn trezors anyway? They're starting to make BFL look reputable and even in that instance, I still got my miner sooner than I expected in the overall scheme of things. Moreso, these trezors were vouched for by industry hot shots.  

[Gabi]

The computer does the transaction, trezor needs usb/a computer to do anything more than store a private key.

False, the transaction is created and signed on trezor, and THEN it is sent to the computer. Totally secure. The private key is ONLY on Trezor

Funny, You invalidate your previous statement with this one.
Trezor can only store a private key, that key is used on a computer to do the actual transaction

Just a FYI a paper wallet is a printed private key.

False. How many time have i to repeat that? False. Trezor can make transactions, it does not use the computer to do the actual transaction, it just send it to the pc once it made it.

Trezor connects to a internet capable computer in order to send a transaction,

I again state that a paper wallet is infinitely better than trezor,

A paper wallet cannot create transactions. It needs something else.

You cannot get confirmations for signed transactions that still reside in the Trezor,
Consequently you would need to bring a laptop to a local bitcoin trade to make any use of Trezor.

WTF? The signed transaction itself is secure, that is why it is sent to the pc by Trezor after it is created.

Having a written backup would expose it to the same vulnerability as a paper wallet.

Again, a paper wallet cannot create transactions.

[bryant.coleman]

Where the fuck are these damn trezors anyway? They're starting to make BFL look reputable and even in that instance, I still got my miner sooner than I expected in the overall scheme of things. Moreso, these trezors were vouched for by industry hot shots.  

God knows whether this is a fraud  or not. Anyway paying $900 (at today's rates) to pre-order a Trezor was just crazy.

[7Priest7]

The computer does the transaction, trezor needs usb/a computer to do anything more than store a private key.

False, the transaction is created and signed on trezor, and THEN it is sent to the computer. Totally secure. The private key is ONLY on Trezor

Bitcoin is a decrentrilized p2p currency.
Trezor does not connect to that network and send anything.
It creates a transaction but the computer actually send it.

Funny, You invalidate your previous statement with this one.
Trezor can only store a private key, that key is used on a computer to do the actual transaction

Just a FYI a paper wallet is a printed private key.

Stop false quoting me. None of my posts say that.

False. How many time have i to repeat that? False. Trezor can make transactions, it does not use the computer to do the actual transaction, it just send it to the pc once it made it.

It makes a transaction that can never be confirmed prior to using the computer to send it.
Trezor doesn't send the transaction and is thus useless.

Trezor connects to a internet capable computer in order to send a transaction,

I again state that a paper wallet is infinitely better than trezor,

A paper wallet cannot create transactions. It needs something else. ...
Again, a paper wallet cannot create transactions.

Sorta like how Trezor needs a computer to actually send anything.
A Trezor cannot create verifiable transactions without a computer.

You cannot get confirmations for signed transactions that still reside in the Trezor,
Consequently you would need to bring a laptop to a local bitcoin trade to make any use of Trezor.

WTF? The signed transaction itself is secure, that is why it is sent to the pc by Trezor after it is created.

My point remains valid, Cannot use trezor to do any real world btc purchasing/trading, without a accompanying laptop with wifi/3g/4g to get confirmations.



Last point Gabi, Stop hijacking this thread, According to title and intent of original post, This thread is to list cheaper alternatives to Trezor.
Not to argue the usefulness or uselessness of Trezor.

[CIYAM]

It is pretty simple to do offline tx's with an old laptop as I do using the CIYAM Safe (which is actually *safer* because it does txs entirely "air-gapped" via QR codes - something their device cannot do).

I predict that software like the CIYAM Safe operating on a standard smartphone that is internet disabled will be much more successful than the the Trezor device.

When it comes down to someone seeing you're stuff - a Trezor is an obvious device that says you have *lots of BTC* whereas an extra smart phone won't attract any attention at all.

[Barek]

Since you are asking for alternatives ...

Get a cheap notebook and use it to sign Armory offline transactions. That notebook never goes online and the private key never leaves the notebook.

You can review the transactions on the notebook before signing them. Something, I believe, you cannot do with the Trezor?

[7Priest7]

When it comes down to someone seeing you're stuff - a Trezor is an obvious device that says you have *lots of BTC* whereas an extra smart phone won't attract any attention at all.

Especially if you get a real cheap one and dedicate it to BTC.

Still would be better with a paper wallet, let us not forget if you are worried about paper wallet theft, you could encrypt your private key with a few extra steps only you know.

Even a cheap android phone has a higher chance of theft than a piece of paper with a encrypted private key, or even a unencrypted QR Coded private key.

Get a cheap notebook and use it to sign Armory offline transactions. That notebook never goes online and the private key never leaves the notebook.

Mentioned in OP, still a good point.
Cheap netbook + TrueCrypt + Armory = One Secure Dedicated BTC Machine.

[aynstein]

When it comes down to someone seeing you're stuff - a Trezor is an obvious device that says you have *lots of BTC* whereas an extra smart phone won't attract any attention at all.

I ordered 3, 1 metal and two plastic, how much btc do you think i have?

[FlappySocks]

Trezor should have added NFC so that you can use your phone as a payment device.
Costs too much. I'm sure that will change in time.

I wouldn't write off the Trezor.  Whilst not fool proof, it keeps your private key safe, and is more practical than a paper wallet.

Back on topic.  I was looking at alternatives, like using a Raspberry Pi, but I kept coming back to the same conclusion. Custom built hardware, with no OS is the only secure solution.

[CIYAM]

I ordered 3, 1 metal and two plastic, how much btc do you think i have?

I'd hope quite a bit for that outlay - but maybe you bought the coins for $1 each so really the point is not about what it cost you but the fact that right now a Trezor is worth more than most smart phones - yet it has no camera nor a big screen or anything else that should make it worth so much money and if anyone saw it they would know you have BTC (which as I said before you could not tell from just having another smart phone).

They should never have priced their product in BTC and unfortunately have pushed themselves into a bad spot now.

[7Priest7]

...if anyone saw it they would know you have BTC...

Only if they knew of BTC(and Trezor), While BTC has seen a rise in popularity, It is not incredibly well known.

They should never have priced their product in BTC and unfortunately have pushed themselves into a bad spot now.

I disagree, for BTC to ever be a legitimate currency, Things must be sold for BTC irrespective of current dollar value of BTC.
As long as people are basing their BTC purchases off a exchange rate, BTC will always be just a secondary currency.

EDIT: And it will be a secondary currency with much inconsistency.
The dollar values are too inconsistent.
$1200USD a few days ago, Now $700USD.

[CIYAM]

I disagree, for BTC to ever be a legitimate currency, Things must be sold for BTC irrespective of current dollar value of BTC.
As long as people are basing their BTC purchases off a exchange rate, BTC will always be just a secondary currency.

So if BTC went to $10,000 then you would still buy a Trezor for 1 BTC?

(guess you'd be about the only person that would value the device so much)

[LiteCoinGuy]

there will be cheaper alternatives to Trezor in the future, just wait. i know that already one is in development from the guys from mastercoin.

more than 100 USD for such a device is to much indeed.

[FlappySocks]

As long as people are basing their BTC purchases off a exchange rate, BTC will always be just a secondary currency.

You have to have some measure of worth.  You know how much USD is worth based on the cost of living. A basket of groceries. The electricity bill. etc etc.
You cant do that with bitcoin (yet), so you have to measure it against something else.  USD.

[bryant.coleman]

I disagree, for BTC to ever be a legitimate currency, Things must be sold for BTC irrespective of current dollar value of BTC.
As long as people are basing their BTC purchases off a exchange rate, BTC will always be just a secondary currency.

OMG... that is a horrible argument.

BTC pricing is possible only when the demand for BTC is stable (may be by the year 2140?). Right now the BTC prices are not stable, and therefore we should use a stable currency as a base.