I’m looking for a cheap and portable tablet that I can use for writing. Microsoft Surface Pro tablets, at least around the gen 4 models, are rather cheap to buy used, and they seem decently well made. Naturally, were I to buy one, I would have to install Linux onto it.

I’ve been peripherally aware of the Linux Surface project for some time now. I looked at it recently, after having not for some time, and it seems that they have really made good progress compared to what I remember, and it’s making me much more interested in trying to install Linux on a Surface Pro.

Having never owned a Surface Pro, I’m not sure which models are the most reliable and sturdy. I’m not looking for something that’s the flashiest; I want something that works well. I want something pragmatic — something akin to the idea of an older era of Thinkpad (eg T460). I want a pen with low input delay and good accuracy, reliable and responsive touch controls, and a decent display. I was thinking the Surface Pro 4 might be a good choice, but it’s hard to know as there aren’t many videos out there of people installing Linux on them, so I’m wondering what your experience has been with Microsoft Surface Pro’s and installing Linux on one.

Cross-posts:

  • StaySquared@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    I almost aimlessly did. I have a Surface Pro 6. So I searched specifically for Ubuntu on that model, at the time (2021) and someone had experienced quite a few issues on the hardware side - compatibility. One of the issues was the touch screen, that pretty much stopped me in my tracks. The other issues were not too significant for me.

    I just decided to search again to see if Ubuntu will install without issue… 22.04 still lacks touch screen capability. I want my child (5yo) to start learning how to use a computer - linux based. But I also know she loves to “finger paint” - she does so on an iPad mini, and her educational curriculum (arts and craft) will require her to create drawings and paint stuff (I’m a paper nazi, if I can avoid paper and keep it digital, I will 100%) so without touch screen (including the Surface Pen) it’s somewhat pointless.

    As soon as ANY user friendly (especially for a child) Linux distro can fully support the Surface Pro 6, I will be more than happy to slap it onto it and hand it over to my child.

    Edit: Wow… so many people own the SP6.