Status of linux tablets in 2025
Posted by walterblackkk@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 47 comments
I did a lot of research into this and finally found that Surface Go 2/3/4 are pretty much the only devices that qualifies as true x86 linux "tablets" out there, which is a bit disappointing, since they are a bit underpowered and top out at 8 GB of RAM.
Other options are too heavy and are awkward to use as tablets. Examples are Surface Pro models, Minisforum v3, Starlite and Surface-like devices from Dell (latitude 7210 for example), HP and Lenovo.
IMO they better quality as compact laptops rather than tablets.
Surface Go devices are around 500+ grams (1.20 lbs) and are comfortable to hold and use as tablets.
They are 100% compatible with linux out of the box.
I've been using a used Surface Go 2 I picked up for $160 for a couple of days and it's a joy to use both as a tablet and with the detachable keyboard, albeit if you only use it for web browsing and typing.
I just wish there were more devices in that weight class with better specs, but unfortunately I couldn't find any.
Has anyone found other good linux-friendly tablets worth checking out?
Few_Consideration73@reddit
I upgraded my Surface Pro 3 to Linux last month, and it works better than ever. I'm glad I tried Linux. I usually use both of my Surface Pro computers as laptops rather than tablets; my other Surface Pro is the 11th-generation model that I purchased over a year ago.
Feldhege@reddit
I have a surface pro 6 and it runs great. Just wish the touchscreen worked. Does it work on yours?
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Yeah i guess many people don't know these devices work so will with linux.
Pibo1987@reddit
I’ve been looking at exactly something like this and, since for me repairability is very important, something like the Lenovo or Dell options are pretty good. The issue, as you say, is that they are larger devices, weighing around 800g without the keyboard, so a lot less usable as tablets. The Go is perfect in terms of size, but definitely underpowered and not really repair friendly.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Repairability is not really that important when you spend just $150.
What would you mainly use it for? For my usage (web browsing, media consumption and python coding) it's perfectly fine. I open a lot of chrome tabs and haven't yet encountered a slowdown/freeze.
davidnotcoulthard@reddit
Starlite mk V (might not be worth buying, but absolutely worth checking out lol)
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Yeah i mentioned it in the post but it's not as lightweight as I want.
davidnotcoulthard@reddit
My bad I couldn't find it lol.
The Librem 11 is a smaller, though still big for an iPad.
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
Surface Go and Go 2, the Juno tab, Minisforum, Starlite Starbright, HP Elite X2 G4 and G8, Thinkpad X1 3rd Gen and X12, Chuwi Hi10 X and Hi10 Go, and the Pinetab 2 if you prefer Arm, all completely work with linux.
Happy_Phantom@reddit
Curious @OP, what distribution are you running on the Surface GO?
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Debian 13. Everything works including screen rotation.
Renrutdoow@reddit
Does the Windows Hello feature work too?
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
On linux?
Happy_Phantom@reddit
Did you use the GNOME desktop, or something else?
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
I tried plasma, plasma mobile and GNOME. They all worked but on-screen keyboard works best in GNOME.
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
Try Phosh via Mobian. It's based on Gnome and all mobile oriented.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
What is the difference between the normal and plasma-mobile version? Is it easy to install on hard disk?
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
Phosh is very similar to Gnome. It's very close to Palm's old WebOS in UI experience - very simple.
Plasma-Mobile is more like Sailfish. The latest stable is quite smooth. But, it does take a little to get used to the KDE way of things. If you've ever used desktop plasma, you'll have no trouble.
Try them both on a live USB drive, then decide. To install, just restore the ISO to your hard drive via the "Disks" app.
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
Chuwi Hi10 X and Hi10 Go, and the Juno tab are light, and completely function with linux.
CaptainObvious110@reddit
Do you have those devices?
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
I have the Hi10 X (the older model not the new one with the N100 series chip) and the Hi10 Go.
CaptainObvious110@reddit
Nice. Which distro/s are you using on them?
MidnightObjectiveA51@reddit
Mobian on one, Fedora Silverblue on the other.
CaptainObvious110@reddit
Awesome
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Juno tab 3 is much heavier than a Surface Go 2.
Gullible_Response_54@reddit
A few days back I saw the dell 7210 (2in1) apparentl fully supported, but can't find the thread rn. It was in 4/Linux hardware, I think
But yeah, a great arm tablet (orange pi 6 basis or risc-v radxa) would be nice... Ideally with stylus support, since I am in academia, taking shit-tons of notes
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Yeah 7210 is fully compatible with linux, but unfortunately it's not much lighter than the Surface. It also has a lower resolution screen.
mpickerd24@reddit
Dell 7275 checking in. Fedora 43 workstation. Everything works except the cameras.
Gullible_Response_54@reddit
Cameras would be essential for me - at least the front. Too many meetings to not have cameras 😂
Gullible_Response_54@reddit
1920*1200 or sth like this? Yeah, a tad low ... Good to know ... I think the OnePlus pad 2 is big enough and okay when it comes to the weight, but no Linux and no postmarketOS available
geolaw@reddit
So I know not exactly what your asking but termux on Android is capable of running X11 + XFCE4 I've got a usb-c to USB-a adapter and a wireless keyboard+mouse connected.
Could possibly be good in a pinch if needed
XFCE4 on Samsung Galaxy tablet
MattyGWS@reddit
I have the x86 AMD v3 tablet from minisforum and it works flawlessly, it’s my full time Linux tablet
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Yeah that's a very good device based on a YouTube review i watched, but it's still quite heavy and too thick for a tablet imo.
CaptainObvious110@reddit
I saw this a while back and it's rather impressive. At the moment I have a pinetab 2 and yeah it's a Linux tablet but it's very underpowered.
What I want is something powerful to really be able to use without feeling so limited.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
A surface pro or dell 7210 are quite powerful devices.
InstanceTurbulent719@reddit
Personally, I'd love to see something ARM based but with solid Linux support. I know there's the Pine tab with the rk3566, and the fyde tab duo with the rk3588 but it's still kind of underwhelming for the price. They're not at the level of any recent Android phone flagship
Vasant1234@reddit
You can run the VolksOC Linux desktop on any recent ARM tablet/phone. Snapdragon 8 Elite, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as well as the Raspberry Pi 5 based devices are supported. Check this video : https://youtu.be/jZdlrG1OTfg?si=HgWv_XQiEKkVybvR
Elbow2009@reddit
I got a Surface Go 2 in 2021 and up until last summer it got decent battery life. Then after a Windows 11 update even on Battery Saver it was sucking power to around only 2-3 hours available. So I put Debian-based Q4OS on it and I get 8-10 hours of battery life now. I'd already put the 32-bit version of Q4OS on an old HP Netbook which gave it new life. But I'm quite happy with the Surface Go 2 with a Linux distro on it.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Great. I haven't measured the exact battery life seems to be pretty decent. Any reason you use Q4OS over pure debian?
Elbow2009@reddit
I was reading up on what lightweight distros ran best on devices like old netbooks and the Surface Go series and Q4OS was mentioned, I don't quite remember where. Since it had done well on my HP 210 netbook I tried it on the Surface Go 2.
I like the Plasma desktop versatility as well. I've configured my Surface to look like it's running Windows 10 (and the HP 210 looks like it's running Windows 7 as it had Windows 7 Starter). I find the Falkon browser less resource-intensive than Chromium or Firefox. as well.
I've also got Q4OS dual-booting with Windows 11 on my music studio computer (I compose for videos and soundtracks and have to use Cakewalk/Sonar in Windows for backwards compatibility with my earlier files). I also put Q4OS on my wife's 2007 Dell computer as a "forced" Windows 11 install was lagging.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
It definitely looks interesting and also has a windows installer. I'll check it out.
Elbow2009@reddit
Enjoy! Hope it works for you. One thing to check is to make sure Secure Boot is off. It's supposed to be not an issue but I found it interfering. Also make sure your hard drive config is not RAID if you are using the Windows installer. I don't think that's an issue on the Surface line though. But Bitlocker should be off and your drive un-encrypted. Windows does NOT like other OSes on Surfaces!
FattyDrake@reddit
I don't think the Surface Pros are too heavy at all. I think they're great tablets for Linux, and really like mine.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Do you mostly use it as a tablet or a laptop?
FattyDrake@reddit
Tablet. My main use for it is drawing. It's lighter than the iPad Pro it replaced.
ImWaitingForIron@reddit
higole makes tablets and they should be compatible with linux. at least that's what they say.
walterblackkk@reddit (OP)
Afaik they only make rugged tablets which is not for everyone.