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> if you're using a keyboard (by the way, keyboard shortcuts on iPad were terrible) anyway, the mouse is actually a really good, productive peripheral - but App

> if you're using a keyboard (by the way, keyboard shortcuts on iPad were terrible) anyway, the mouse is actually a really good, productive peripheral - but Apple ideology doesn't believe in using mice with tablets. I'm not going to try to make a argument for Android tablets in general (on my third, not buying a fourth), but they actually support all this. Run up a chroot with Debian and X11 and you can even have yourself a semi-normal Linux desktop inside your Android. With a mouse and keyboard. It's not great, but when cornered I've actually managed to pull through on a device like this.

voltagex_ 10y ago
I have an irrational hatred of chroots on Android, mainly because it's made Googling for info on running mainline Linux on these devices impossible. At the point you're using X11 on Android, wouldn't you be better off with a Chromebook? I'm also interested in Samsung's DeX. We're well past the point where I should be able to carry one device in my pocket and dock into extra peripherals as needed. Sidenote: of course we couldn't have a standard for dockable devices. So we've got Microsoft's Continuum, Samsung's DeX and whatever MaruOS is doing these days.
saghm 10y ago
> I'm not going to try to make a argument for Android tablets in general (on my third, not buying a fourth), but they actually support all this. > Run up a chroot with Debian and X11 and you can even have yourself a semi-normal Linux desktop inside your Android. With a mouse and keyboard. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge a Linux fan, but calling this "supported" seems like a stretch. Maybe better phrasing would be "this is possible on an Android tablet".
- josteink 10y ago
  The mouse is a first class supported element on Android (as is wired networking). You can use it anywhere you'd otherwise use touch (in regular Android apps). Similarly with keyboards: ctrl-c, x and v work just as you expect. As does alt-tab. This is very different from the iOS story, so just to play on the differences, I was just showing to what extent a Android-tablet can be taken if the need arises. I didn't mean to hint X11 and chroots were officially supported by Google or any vendor.
  - saghm 10y ago
    Ah, okay, I misunderstood. Thanks for clarifying!
    - josteink 10y ago
      To take it even further, if you plug a USB keyboard into a Android-device, the settings menu will even uncover the ability to select a separate keyboard layout for the physical keyboard. Deep down Android was clearly built to be a general purposey OS. Too bad they botched the tablet-story.

voltagex_ 10y ago

I have an irrational hatred of chroots on Android, mainly because it's made Googling for info on running mainline Linux on these devices impossible. At the point you're using X11 on Android, wouldn't you be better off with a Chromebook? I'm also interested in Samsung's DeX. We're well past the point where I should be able to carry one device in my pocket and dock into extra peripherals as needed. Sidenote: of course we couldn't have a standard for dockable devices. So we've got Microsoft's Continuum, Samsung's DeX and whatever MaruOS is doing these days.

saghm 10y ago

> I'm not going to try to make a argument for Android tablets in general (on my third, not buying a fourth), but they actually support all this. > Run up a chroot with Debian and X11 and you can even have yourself a semi-normal Linux desktop inside your Android. With a mouse and keyboard. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge a Linux fan, but calling this "supported" seems like a stretch. Maybe better phrasing would be "this is possible on an Android tablet".

josteink 10y ago
The mouse is a first class supported element on Android (as is wired networking). You can use it anywhere you'd otherwise use touch (in regular Android apps). Similarly with keyboards: ctrl-c, x and v work just as you expect. As does alt-tab. This is very different from the iOS story, so just to play on the differences, I was just showing to what extent a Android-tablet can be taken if the need arises. I didn't mean to hint X11 and chroots were officially supported by Google or any vendor.
- saghm 10y ago
  Ah, okay, I misunderstood. Thanks for clarifying!
  - josteink 10y ago
    To take it even further, if you plug a USB keyboard into a Android-device, the settings menu will even uncover the ability to select a separate keyboard layout for the physical keyboard. Deep down Android was clearly built to be a general purposey OS. Too bad they botched the tablet-story.