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Show HN: Abandoning my own tablet OS

willemlaurentz 6y ago
After months of intensely using Debian GNU/Linux on a Surface Go 2, I decided to call it a day and switch back to a non-free platform. As many people reached out to me applauding the tablet initiative, it's only fair to renounce my failure to make it stick. For now that is - because once you've tasted (software) freedom, it's hard to forget!
- zwayhowder 6y ago
  Was it the size that drove your hardware decision? I know it's not as portable but I've been running Arch with i3 on my Thinkpad Yoga for several years now without issue. You're absolutely right Linux is not ready for a tablet only device but I find the compromise of getting an attached keyboard is worth it.
  - willemlaurentz 6y ago
    Size was an important factor, together with my desire to be able to read documents, articles and papers in portrait mode. Preferably without feeling a keyboard when holding the device. But you're right that using a Thinkpad Yoga is probably a better idea in terms of Linux compatibility. For this reason I am looking for models like your Yoga for my next attempt.
    - zwayhowder 6y ago
      When I fold the X1 Yoga (Gen2) the keyboard retracts a little. It's still there but doesn't feel like I'm pressing the keys. The included pen works great to markup PDF files or sketch diagrams. It also has built in LTE (I don't know if the newer LTE cards work with Linux yet, I have a Gen2 because the card in it does work). It's not exactly comfortable to hold for long sessions, though the length means I can prop it up on the back of the seat in front of me on the train, which I can't do with a smaller tablet. I read a lot in portrait and the 2560x1440 14" screen makes it easy, though it does make it hard to use a 10" iPad afterwards. I've also got a 10" Lenovo Chromebook Duet, but it's not quite good enough and the case is only useful in landscape. If I had to pick between my 5 year old iPad and my 5 month old Chromebook I'd take the iPad at the moment, the applications (Readdle Documents mostly) are much better for me. This is not my blog, but it's basically my setup. https://knowledge.rootknecht.net/my-laptop-setup https://knowledge.rootknecht.net/my-laptop-setup
__d 6y ago
I agree that reliable operation is paramount. While it might not work for everyone, having a standard hardware platform with the ability to get firmware updates applied, or even hardware fixes, helps. So, something like the PINE64 PineTab could develop into a reliable platform for Linux usage, given a sufficiently sized and interested community.
- willemlaurentz 6y ago
  That could certainly help, a standar/open/free hardware would make it easier to get things working correctly. For instance, my tablet relied on some weird patches to get things like the LTE modem to work: that would become unnecessary then.

After months of intensely using Debian GNU/Linux on a Surface Go 2, I decided to call it a day and switch back to a non-free platform. As many people reached out to me applauding the tablet initiative, it's only fair to renounce my failure to make it stick. For now that is - because once you've tasted (software) freedom, it's hard to forget!

zwayhowder 6y ago
Was it the size that drove your hardware decision? I know it's not as portable but I've been running Arch with i3 on my Thinkpad Yoga for several years now without issue. You're absolutely right Linux is not ready for a tablet only device but I find the compromise of getting an attached keyboard is worth it.
- willemlaurentz 6y ago
  Size was an important factor, together with my desire to be able to read documents, articles and papers in portrait mode. Preferably without feeling a keyboard when holding the device. But you're right that using a Thinkpad Yoga is probably a better idea in terms of Linux compatibility. For this reason I am looking for models like your Yoga for my next attempt.
  - zwayhowder 6y ago
    When I fold the X1 Yoga (Gen2) the keyboard retracts a little. It's still there but doesn't feel like I'm pressing the keys. The included pen works great to markup PDF files or sketch diagrams. It also has built in LTE (I don't know if the newer LTE cards work with Linux yet, I have a Gen2 because the card in it does work). It's not exactly comfortable to hold for long sessions, though the length means I can prop it up on the back of the seat in front of me on the train, which I can't do with a smaller tablet. I read a lot in portrait and the 2560x1440 14" screen makes it easy, though it does make it hard to use a 10" iPad afterwards. I've also got a 10" Lenovo Chromebook Duet, but it's not quite good enough and the case is only useful in landscape. If I had to pick between my 5 year old iPad and my 5 month old Chromebook I'd take the iPad at the moment, the applications (Readdle Documents mostly) are much better for me. This is not my blog, but it's basically my setup. https://knowledge.rootknecht.net/my-laptop-setup https://knowledge.rootknecht.net/my-laptop-setup

__d 6y ago

I agree that reliable operation is paramount. While it might not work for everyone, having a standard hardware platform with the ability to get firmware updates applied, or even hardware fixes, helps. So, something like the PINE64 PineTab could develop into a reliable platform for Linux usage, given a sufficiently sized and interested community.

willemlaurentz 6y ago
That could certainly help, a standar/open/free hardware would make it easier to get things working correctly. For instance, my tablet relied on some weird patches to get things like the LTE modem to work: that would become unnecessary then.