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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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If you have installed Linux on a Microsoft Surface Pro, what was your experience? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm looking for a cheap and portable tablet that I can use for writing. Microsoft Surface Pro tablets, at least around the gen 4 models, are rather cheap to buy used, and they seem decently well made. Naturally, were I to buy one, I would have to install Linux onto it.

I've been peripherally aware of the Linux Surface project for some time now. I looked at it recently, after having not for some time, and it seems that they have really made good progress compared to what I remember, and it's making me much more interested in trying to install Linux on a Surface Pro.

Having never owned a Surface Pro, I'm not sure which models are the most reliable and sturdy. I'm not looking for something that's the flashiest; I want something that works well. I want something pragmatic — something akin to the idea of an older era of Thinkpad (eg T460). I want a pen with low input delay and good accuracy, reliable and responsive touch controls, and a decent display. I was thinking the Surface Pro 4 might be a good choice, but it's hard to know as there aren't many videos out there of people installing Linux on them, so I'm wondering what your experience has been with Microsoft Surface Pro's and installing Linux on one.

Cross-posts:

https://sh.itjust.works/post/23997573

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Watch for battery life when buying older Surface devices. Replacing batteries in the older Surface Pros is notoriously difficult, because apparently the whole assembly is glued together. Loss of battery life is what forced an early retirement of my 5th-gen (2015) Surface Pro, even though not was otherwise completely serviceable. Newer versions are apparently more repairable, but you'll have to investigate where that cut-off line of repairability is.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Watch for battery life when buying older Surface devices. Replacing batteries in the older Surface Pros is notoriously difficult, because apparently the whole assembly is glued together.

Thank you very much for the heads up!

Newer versions are apparently more repairable, but you’ll have to investigate where that cut-off line of repairability is.

It looks like an attempt at heading in the direction of repairability started with the Surface Pro 9, but it's still quite involved [1][2].

References

"Surface Pro 9 Teardown: The Most Repairable Surface In Years". iFixit. Youtube. Published: 2022-11-10 (Accessed: 2024-08-26T02:28Z). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGP1pO8nGDc.
"Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Repair". Clay Eickemeyer, Spencer Day. iFixit. Published: 2024-03-30 (Accessed: 2024-08-26T02:30Z). https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Microsoft+Surface+Pro+9+Repair/165163.