Something ive been wanting for a while is a highly portable linux device like a phone or small tablet but obviously running fully flegde linux.
I need a device that is x86, 5g/4g networking water resistant if possible, sliding kB would be great but thats a bye gone era.
I don’t want to use android based systems as when they have linux support it is via a spersific distribution made for that device. Virtualization is also not for me.
Linux tablets are just hitting the market, so finding a native Linux tablet that suits all your needs might be wishful thinking. Juno Tablet is probably your best bet right now. Otherwise, you might need to settle for installing linux on MS Surface or similar device.
StarLabs StarLite is the closest device I’ve seen to those requirements. It’s a 12” x86 tablet without a cell modem or water resistance.
This sounds almoat good to be true. What’s the catch?
Edit. The processor is quite slow, which is fine for my use cases, but you are not going to game with that thing.
Honestly if you want it to be portable, you’re going to have to use a RISC processor. The x86 processors are just so energy inefficient for most instructions that the battery is drained too quickly and it requires a much bigger battery to compensate.
Are there any mainstream tablets running RISC processors though? I though RISC processors of that power level were still in the development stage and/or only available in China.
ARM is a RISC processor at heart. Or at least it was at one point - I’m not sure how or if they’ve deviated. Time for some wikipedia.
I have had good luck installing Gallium OS on a Chromebook for my daughter, so you might look at some of the Chromebook tablet/detachable keyboard options. Just make sure the model you get is supported.
Check out the GPD Pocket/Mini PC lineup, they have pocket sized laptops that can run Linux. Not sure about water resistantce, think you can get some or all of their options with a cell network module.
I have a GPD win. Tried getting Linux on it, had all kinds of problems. Like, couldn’t get the screen to stay upright, no sound, no keyboard, Wi-Fi dropping… Might give it another go someday, but probably not.
Fair. My understanding is that not all of their lineup is equally Linux friendly. I had the original GPD pocket, which IIRC had a official Linux image. I didn’t even use that image, and had a functional Ubuntu install. Their newer devices are more mature from a hardware perspective, so it may be worth some research on those regarding features and Linux compatibility.
