I'm 43 and not really starting using Linux. I've dabbled with distros on and off over the years, but I never made the full switch because work always had some program or policy that just wouldn't play nice with Linux. With all the crappy Microsoft decisions, bloatware, and ads I decided to try and use Linux exclusively on a personal device, and I'm absolutely loving it!
I've been working with Ubuntu as my main distro, and I've also been playing around with distros on a Raspberry Pi. To really challenge myself, I installed Linux on an old Surface Pro 3, and guess what? It just works! I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the setup was and how well it performs.
I missing any key steps or tips to make the experience even better on a Surface? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I was planning to buy a new tablet that runs Linux but this is working better than expected. I'm really enjoying the flexibility and control Linux offers and want to keep this momentum going.
I have read up and tried plenty, just looking for some perspectives out there specific to your tablet experiences.
EDIT Thank you for all the suggestions and insights! I'm going to continue using the Ubuntu build for the next few months. Still lots more to learn, but I'm excited to see how this goes. I have everything setup I need to function as a Linux only tablet experience. no more dependency on Windoze.
EDIT 2 I have been using Ubuntu for a few weeks and it generally works. The touch has been great but I do notice it is a bit buggy at times and the virtual keyboard leaves a lot to be desired. I did read this article today that talks about their experience more on a Surface Pro 4. https://www.binwang.me/2024-07-12-A-Review-of-Linux-on-Surface-Pro-4.html
You can try Fedora on a Surface with the Ublue variants such as Aurora and Bluefin, there are ISOs specifically for the Surface. Fedora atomic variants work very well. I found Fedora Kinoite works great with a touchscreen laptop.
Y'all need to really stop recommending immutable distros to people who aren't even familiar or know what their regular setup will be. Like this poster who even said they are still going to have to work out Windows alternatives.
I think I disagree.
After using Bazzite, if I had to set something up for my mom, it’d be Aurora.
Updates are dead simple and most of what she would use would be flatpaks anyway.
They seem like a rock solid way to get into Linux with a low chance of breaking something.
For someone who just does web browsing, sure. That is not the question or ask of this post. Read my comment again.
Hm.. immutable distros are alternatives tho?
And did you just downvote me for politely disagreeing?
I downvoted because your comment had nothing to with the context of this thread or my comment, and just served to be an "AKSHUALLY ☝️" moment for yourself.
Ahh. You’re just a prick. I get it now.
Button is there for a reason. If you're just interjecting with nonsense, it should be downvoted.
It was on topic and made perfect sense. What’s funny is that it was in response to you saying”AXSHHALLY you guys shouldn’t suggest immutable distros” because those don’t count as Windows alternatives for reasons?
If you’re gonna be a prick, at least be correct.
Friend, you're so up your own ass, you didn't even read OP's post. He wasn't asking for your ill informed recommendation for a distro...
Why don't you read it again?
Buddy, I did read it. Allow me to quote in case the OP is too long for you:
Dude is distro hopping and wants general input. Please fuck off.
He says he has Ubuntu installed and is loving it, and just asking if there's any other things to round out a tablet experience.
You: ☝️ "why don't you completely change the thing that is working for you, and even though you didn't ask, do what I'm suggesting you do because I like it, and it works for my mommy who just uses the web browser. Also, if anyone disagrees with me for evangelizing and giving unsolicited advice, I'm going to call them a prick and argue with them because I'm just special" ☝️ 😤
I hate how OP is gonna have to do whatever we say :(
That really sucks. I super wish they could just go on using whatever they want :(
I'm sure they wish that too, instead they have people like you just throwing your own BS around a thread where they're trying to ask for honest suggestions. Sucks.
Ok I don’t actually know if you’re just joking or neurodivergent so as not to not pick up on the sarcasm.
OP can do whatever the fuck they want on their device. The worst thing that can happen if they don’t like the suggestion is to close the single extra tab they opened on their browser to read about it.
But thank Christ you were here to save him from that catastrophe.
I hate that this post caused a fight here. I appreciate feedback and learning.
If I'm taking something away from this exchange is that immutable distros are a thing I need to understand better. In a way you are both helping me see some other aspects I haven't considered. If I were to go immutable there are some limits on what I can do, though there are some benefits in terms of security and app containerization. Based on some quick research immutable distros have been around but honestly I didn't really know any details. On the other hand it sounds like Ubuntu pushes packages my way and I might want want to explore so other options.
Thanks for the insights and I plan to do a lot more research on how I might proceed. I may have it working on one device, but adopting what is right for my workflow and needs is going to take some more effort. Best.
Hi. I'm not related to either of the two fighters. I do, however, admire your curiosity. Still, I feel a particular sentence made in this comment of yours has to be nuanced. If this endeavor of mine is not appreciated, then please feel free to notify me however you please.
So, without further a due.
Strictly speaking, yes.
However, we can categorize these as follows:
Furthermore, depending on your needs, you may not even have to deal with anything that's either not or less supported.
Finally, as the use of "some 'immutable' distros" suggests, not all immutable distros are created equally. Therefore, it's actually uninformed to lump all of them in the same category. True; they're referred to as 'immutable'. However, descriptions like atomic, reproducible and declarative are perhaps more useful when comparing one 'immutable' distro to the other.
I'm personally a big fan of 'immutable' distros. However, please don't feel compelled to delve into it as long as you're satisfied with your system.
My two cents. Enjoy!
I have been on Lemmy for awhile and this post has been the one to gain the most traction. Thank you, this helps even further. I scratched the surface of immutable and this further dissects it into deeper "categories". My first thought is that, if I didn't know about immutable distros in the first place (aside from the meaning of the term), I probably wouldn't know what I'm missing or gaining.
My uses for Linux will grow across 3 categories.
Business and office work. Mainly spreadsheets, documents, presentations, and virtual meetings
3D Design, 3D Printing, bitmap and vector graphics editing, coding, and retro video game development
Streaming via OBS, ATEM, webcam, HDMI capture, and various USB inputs and devices.
I have tried building machines on non-tablets and have got 80% of the way there with all 3. The tablet has me 100% with 1 & 2. This all gives me a greater understanding that helps me avoid and research more into the options based on needs.
Thank you for your reply!
It has been my pleasure 😊!
Yup. For your information, 'immutable' distros have only gained popularity relatively recently. In fact, for a long time, it was pretty obscure.
In 2003 we had the initial release of our first 'immutable' distro; NixOS. Then, inspired by it, Guix System was released in 2012. After which, within a couple of years, the distros with connections to enterprise Linux got their first 'immutable' distros:
However, these three were primarily meant for server and/or IoT. Then, in 2018, Fedora released Fedora Atomic Workstation (which later changed its name to Fedora Silverblue). I'd argue we owe the current renaissance of 'immutable' distros to it. And then, inspired by Fedora Silverblue, we've had the release of dozens of 'immutable' distros in the last 2/3 years (including openSUSE MicroOS Desktop (later openSUSE Aeon) in 2021). Ubuntu has yet to release their Ubuntu Core Desktop. Though, it's in active development.
However, even if we'd limit ourselves to the earlier mentioned 'immutable' distros (i.e. Fedora Atomic, Guix System, NixOS, openSUSE MicroOS and Ubuntu Core), we find that they're very different to one another. Heck, by comparison, e.g. Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE and Ubuntu aren't actually that different to each other.
Though, perhaps curiously, we find that at least 80% of the user base of 'immutable' distros are using either Fedora Atomic (and/)or NixOS.
Exactly.
As far as I can tell, none of these should necessarily bring up problems or troubles on 'immutable' distros.
To give an example of something that's not or less supported on 'immutable' distros: Unified Kernel Image with Secure Boot.
AFAIK, openSUSE Aeon can do it currently. But IIRC, there's no documentation. NixOS can actually do it as well and there's plenty of documentation on it. Fedora Atomic can't yet, but there's active development surrounding it. However, I don't expect this feature on the smaller 'immutable' distros. Hence, for them, I'd regard this as absolutely impossible.
I'm glad to hear that!
Great! FWIW, if there's anything to take from this interaction, then it's definitely this.
Thank you so much for your time. The amount of effort in your response is amazing and rich with details!
That's the most wholesome reply I've had in some time. Thank you for making my day! I appreciate it 😊!
Thanks for these insights. From my laymen experience with Linux, I am a bit fuzzy on all the distros and variants. What's the major difference between Ubuntu (or whatever distro) and what you described? From your perspective
You're welcome. I find Fedora to be much more up to date and refined than Ubuntu but also very stable still, at least the atomic variants as those are what I use. Also Ubuntu has all the controversy about trying to force their own packages at you as well as other things