What’s the best tablet to install Linux on? I am looking for something affordable (under $200) and light just to use a PDF reader with MEGA sync.
It’s usually pretty easy to find secondhand Microsoft Surface devices for that price point (check craigslist, FB marketplace, and the like), and they absolutely rock when using a Gnome-based distro (like Fedora).
There’s a great project that works on Linux compatibility for Surface devices, you can check it out here: https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supported-Devices-and-Features#feature-matrix
Just make sure about what you’re getting yourself into: features such as IR facial detection and stylus input isn’t supported on all models OOTB by the surface kernel. Also, it is a bit messy with how surface handles booting.
Linux on surface works (I got Ubuntu on both my Go gen 1 and pro 7) but expect to put in time to tinker and manage unexpected issues.
I have tried with a couple myself and come to the conclusion that right now you’re probably better off buying an android tablet, putting a de-googled version of android on it and running termux if you need Linux on it
I don’t know anything about MEGA sync, but a used Surface Go 1 with 8gb if ram and the 128gb ssd is my daily driver and works really well with Fedora.
Was it an easy install?
The install was really easy even if sometimes the Surface is a bit difficult to boot on an usb drive. I don’t know why but the Usb drive is easier to boot when using ventoy on it with multiple bootable iso’s on it.
Otherwise everything is easy and I had nothing to do to make it work fine on Fedora.
I just don’t know how the installation process would have been without the typecover (keyboard).
Lately I’ve installed the Linux Surface kernel to improve the mouse bluetooth also.
You want everything just handed to you or what? You’re asking for cheap, best, and easy. At some point you need to decide what your goal is and accept that you’re going to have to compromise.
Huh? I know exactly what I want that’s why my post was very specific. If you don’t have anything to contribute to the post go outside and take your elitism out on a punching bag.
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Rough day?
android tablet have many way to run a linux user land . but most of them are still using downstream android kernel. which means you wont get any 3d acceleration in your “linux” environment. so i would suggest you some sbc based tablet or some chromebook (then install linux on it manually)
Can I be ridiculous here and say that a nook e-reader or kobo e-reader, and a steamdeck would suffice?
Maybe just a kobo?
I know it’s not Linux and that’s what you asked for, but at the end of 2022 when I looked into this I had a hard time finding Linux tablet with a good UX.
I got a dell 2 in 1.
I have a Lenovo duet 3 I think… It’s running endeavor no problem.
If the main thing is PDF reading, buy an Android tablet. Of course research which one.
Kindle fires can be found on sale for under $200. Autosync app works great. Lots of good apps to read comics. No reason to mess with linux. Plus it is easy enough to install the Play Store.
