I was going to get a Google Pixel Tablet and switch it over to graphene OS as a replacement for my ancient iPad that has almost reached EOL. However the pixel tablets have been unobtainable for a while and doesn’t look to be coming back.
As an alternative I thought maybe I could go with a surface type device and install Zorin on it. I don’t need mobile apps or other than Wi-Fi access.
Does anyone have experience with this type of set up, tips and warnings or better ideas?
surface-ish tablets on linux are doable but kinda messy. zorin itself usually installs fine, the pain is touch, type cover, sleep, and wifi firmware.
if you go microsoft surface, people usually end up on the linux-surface kernel/repo for decent touch + pen. stock kernels often leave you with half working input. surface go 3/4 are the ones ive seen people have the least drama with for light browsing, as long as youre ok hunting drivers a bit.
pixel tablet + graphene wont map over to a surface btw, graphene is pixel only. if you mostly want a big touch linux slate and dont need the microsoft pen ecosystem, a cheap used thinkpad yoga has been less headache for me than surfaces.
Thanks for the quick input.
I do realize that tablet and surface are different animals.
I have a desktop computer that I switched over from Win 11 to Zorin a bit over a year ago. I love it for when I’m in my home office with access to my 32 inch monitor etc.
I have an iPad that is now about 8 years old and beginning to fail. I love it except I hate apple anymore. I switched to a graphene phone last year and went through getting used to it process over a while. I can use the iPad for a lot of the web, email, reader type stuff as well as games, anywhere I have Wi-Fi without the clunkiness of a laptop (like I had before I retired). A pixel pad with graphene would be an easy replacement as I’ve gotten used to graphene on the phone but want a bigger screen.
Unfortunately the pixel tablet is pretty unavailable and doesn’t look to be coming back and the android tablets can’t be switched to graphene. I won’t use google or apple for obvious reasons.
So basically I’m looking for something tablet like for portability and with a bigger screen than a phone (old eyes and clumsy fingers on tiny keyboards are a no no). If that includes microslop then I need to be able to switch it to Linux, preferably Zorin.
Does that make sense?
Bear in mind that Zorin OS does not yet offer an ARM version, so installing on ARM Architecture will require extra fiddling.
You could install Ubuntu ARM, then install the Zorin OS apps and themes...
There was a post on here recently by someone using version one of a Surface who could not get the camera working. On searching linux hardware site there were only two versions of Surface Pro, one was version 3 with an AMD Processor.
In terms of tablets, I thought support had ended at Ubuntu 18.04 when searching for a client who had an infected Samsung Tablet.
What for a Display Size do You want?
11 inch or better would be ideal. I guess I could live with 9
I took a quick Look and it seems that outside of all these Android Tablets the Microsoft Surface Devices here a big Thing - but even there, You have to look that You take one without an ARM Processor.
I saw 2 Lenovo one, too. ThinkPad X1 Gen3 and ThinkPad X12. If I saw that right, they have a detachable Keyboard.
THanks everyone for your input. It has given me some directions for further research and to think on. Fortunately I can continue as is for a few more months if I can't find exactly what I want.
I’m considering getting a refurbished surface pro 7 with 16GB ram and 256 GB SSD. Research seems to suggest that with Zorin plus the Linux surface module everything should work except the camera, but I can pick up a functional Linux ready usb camera for about $20.
Does this make sense?
Well, it sound not bad when the Point with the Camera isn't a Problem for You. Did You checked that no ARM Processor is built in? What should the Device cost?
Apparently ARM was only used on the later models. Around 3 - 400 depending on refurbished condition category. 8GB RAM would be a lot less but figured I;d do better with paying more for the 16GB. I don't use camera much, more with my phone or my desktop for occasional zoom calls
A Surface device could be a good alternative if you mainly need Wi-Fi, browsing, media, and basic desktop use. I’d just check the exact Surface model before buying, since Linux support for things like the touchscreen, cameras, Wi-Fi, and sleep can vary between generations.
For a simple tablet replacement, I’d look for a Surface model with good Linux hardware support and at least 8GB of RAM. Zorin should give you a much more familiar desktop experience than trying to adapt a full Linux setup from scratch.