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.
A Surface might do, unless you find that to be too big for your liking.
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.
