Yes, this is probably the only (reasonable) commercial way to make sucha device -- as a peripheral to an existing system.
If, however, you could identify a reasonably *popular* laptop that is now "too old to be practical", you could put together a kit to convert that laptop into the same sort of device (i.e., gut the laptop, install a little PCB, connect LCD panel and keyboard switch array)
I opted to use the poly (?) bags (instead of the "silver-ized") antistatic bags. Last night, had to sort through the boxes for for the first time since doing this.
The results were "satisfactory". Would have been nicer if the boards would stand up neatly so you could just flip through them. But, the bags are slick enough (and, being heavier than the silver-ized bags, they deform less so they *rarely* catch on other "things") that you can stir-the-pot until you've examined every board.
Probably wouldn't work well for *larger* boxes but these seem adequate.
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