I would like to share with you a very cool project that develops drivers for correct operation of Microsoft Surface devices on Linux. I myself use Surface Pro 6 with these drivers and everything works like a charm (battery life is good, cameras work, stylus, keyboard, touchscreen, screen). The developers are gods. From myself, I would recommend using Fedora Linux distribution, as I got the best battery life on it and didn’t experience any additional bugs. If you don’t like GNOME, you can try spins.
Lemmy community. tiddeR community
Links to project resources:
- Home Page.
- Table of supported features.
- Installation Guide.
- Page with known bugs and their solutions.
- Wiki.
Awesome additional resources:
- User experience from Michael Horn.
- Installation instructions (non-official): Link. Link.
I guess I’m missing something, but I don’t understand buying a MS hardware product and then installing Linux, surely just buy a different product in the first place?
Same with people buying Google Pixel’s and then removing the stock Android. Isn’t the Pixel’s hardware rubbish, and the only reason to buy it the software?
I’m pro Linux, just not seeing the point of giving money to these companies and then installing Linux… I think some people do it with the Pixel as a protest, which makes little sense when they’ve given money to the company :/
In the case of the Surface Go family, there isn’t really anything comparable from other companies. It’s unironically the best compact tablet I’m aware of that you can put Linux on, and it runs Pop!_OS without issue once you disable Secure Boot. The only better Linux tablet for me would be an iPad Mini, but you can’t put Linux on one of those and even if you could it’s ARM-based so most proprietary apps won’t work on it.
In general, your tablet options for something smaller and handier than full-size 2-in-1s are pretty limited if you don’t want to be running iPadOS, so excluding Microsoft’s devices from the running if you want to put Linux on your tablet is pointless. Yeah, buying a Surface Laptop to put Linux on there is a bit weird, but I can see the Surface Pro family yielding a good ARM Linux tablet some day.
Buy used device and you will not give any money to company. Surface devices are just really well built/thought and convenient devices. That’s it.
I wouldn’t say the Pixel line’s hardware is rubbish, more that Google is focused on having a polished “it just works” experience rather than trying to differentiate themselves by having the fastest, biggest, newest hardware in the Android market.
The mobile market hit the “diminishing returns” point quite a while ago and for a lot of people - probably the majority - the only reasons to upgrade are security updates ending, or because a non-replaceable battery is getting to the end of its life.
I used to upgrade every 12-18 months religiously, but now my Pixel 5 is coming up on 3 years old and I’d happily keep it another few years with a battery replacement, if the updates weren’t going to end shortly.
Because some people purchase and use devices for practical purposes, not just ideological.
Perhaps the Surface hardware is the most practical for some people?
Jup. Surface Pro: Very lightweight, solid, powerful (for its size), fan-less (some models), both tablet and laptop, has an okay stylus. Whats not to like? Oh, right, the default OS. 😊
And that some models can’t upgrade to 11, so support for them ends when Windows 10 support ends. Linux Surface will extend their life.
Fair enough, I just thought there would be more practical options for price/performance/usability, but I guess touchscreen laptops are a bit of a niche still.
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I used to have a Surface when I was at university. They were so much better to lug around than MacBooks or ThinkPads.
Also, Linux Surface is maintained for older devices, which will be useful when Windows 10 support ends.
I agree that buying a new Surface to install Linux on doesn’t seem like the way to go.
But I get new life out of older machines by upgrading them with Linux. I’ve gotten additional years of solid use out of some older MacBook Airs by installing Linux. Now that I know there are drivers, I’ve got my eye on upgrading an old Surface Pro that I have.
That pixel’s example is so funny cause its suprisingly the most open boooader out there, so almost no devices but the pixel are used for full custom OS’ like grapheneOS.
But to answer your question, a lot of the beauty of Linux is it runs on anything, so if you already had one lying around, you could just slab Debian or something on it and it’ll be snappier than ever.
I also personally like the form factor of the device and the removable keyboard
I guess I’m missing something, but I don’t understand buying a MS hardware product and then installing Linux, surely just buy a different product in the first place?
most people dont buy this to put linux on it, they get the somehow and then use linux to make them suck less.
Isn’t the Pixel’s hardware rubbish, and the only reason to buy it the software?
not really.
Buying new, sure, what you’re saying makes sense. I think buying used for the form factor or whatever and not wanting windows is a fine choice, though.
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Same with people buying Google Pixel’s and then removing the stock Android. Isn’t the Pixel’s hardware rubbish, and the only reason to buy it the software?
Because Pixel allows the removal of stock android where some phones, like Samsung’s, actively prevent it.
But you’re not entirely wrong. There are non-Pixel phones with better hardware and unlockable bootloaders. Often it’s a preference thing. Though it should be said, the more popular the phone, the more likely it has robust support from the custom rom community, and Pixels are popular.
Also, “stock Android” doesn’t mean “everything is accessible and configurable” Android. They may put a Pixel-based rom right back on, just a version that’s not so restrictive. Many don’t need a reason to use custom roms beyond just having more knobs and levers for their phone than stock allows them.
Honestly, one of the major reasons I use Lineage, beyond the big obvious reasons, is solely to keep the “Hold back button to kill foreground app” function that stock android removed long ago.
Pixel phones allow to relock bootloader on Custom ROMS, that’s why developers use Pixel devices. Good firmware support is also around.
How does stylus support work? Are there good Linux apps for hand writing notes?
With my limited experience cause I broke my pen tip, the support for the OS is good but almost no apps support it, beyond the FOSS artistry ones
Xournal++ and Rnote are the best options for hand written notes. Both available as a Flatpak from Flathub.
Howdy! Just wanted to share that drivers for Surface devices (at least my Surface Laptop and a family member’s Pro) are now in the newer Linux kernel versions and you should only need this if you’re using an older kernel version. That being said, Linux Surface might add some nice improvements.
Mostly. But not everything.
It’s all fun and giggles until you try to use the cameras. Most recent models are not only incompatible, but unlikely to be compatible anytime soon. SP7 owner using KDE Neon for years.
why is that so that sp7 cameras won’t be supported in soon time?
Theres some long convoluted explanation where cameras these days are not just a sensor, but a whole tiny ICC computer handing all the image processing, with little to no documentation. The effort required to make these work is very high, and i believe there’s like a single guy working on these.
Reality. I hate it. And like sometimes 🙂
Surface Go 2 with Manjaro Gnome as a daily driver here, everything works fine, even the camera.
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Yup, if photoshop on Linux 🤔😁
I’m somehow really surprised by the linux community embracing the surface. It’s a horrible piece of hardware. It’s designed to be short lived. Hard to repair or upgrade. Limited connectivity. Etc. I’ve had user come back with their surface where the battery had pushed the screen out.
It’s the best “laptop” I’ve ever owned. Overly expensive, but it’s legitimately the first laptop I’ve had that hasn’t died in a few years. It feels like Microsoft’s response to the Mac-book.
It’s exceptionally bad if one wishes to repair or upgrade, as you stated. Outside of that though - performance, reliability… it’s been pretty good.
As I typed this I remembered that in the past year it’s started hard locking seemingly at random requiring a full shutdown via holding the power button. So, not quite as consistent as a Mac-book.
I have a microsoft laptop studio and I love it. I had the previous Surfacebook pro and they have solved everything with the studio.
I’ve supported over the last few years surface pro 4 and hp X2 G4. They are nightmarish devices. The surface pro had constant freeze issues where people had to force restart them, then after two years, the battery wouldn’t last, but we couldn’t change it, because I believe the screen was glued. We had also keyboard and touchpad issues.
Now the X2, same kind of system as the surface, but we have issues where machines become really, really hot. So hot that some have their heat sink burning the displays. We have issue where dust gets in between the display and webcam. Last but not least, your keyboard will die after two year of use, the small connector gets damaged bye folding the keyboard overtime. Making the machine unusable, overtime. Machines that are out of warranty can’t have their keyboard replaced and new keyboard cost a fortune.
Now, if you take any professional grade laptop. Like a Lenovo T or some HP Elite book. You could keep machine in rotation for years after the warranty was over, we had 10+ years old laptop being used as loaner or for short assignments. Because we could upgrade the RAM, HDD->SSD, battery etc. Also don’t get me started on the connector, a surface had 1 USB A one mini DP and a proprietary connector. The x2 3 usb-c port.
The surface are very expensive for what they offer.
IMO, hardware should be very important for the linux community, it must be as important as software!
I appreciate your perspective. Clearly handled a lot more devices than I have over the years. My experience is about 3 laptops, and then a Surface with the latter being my best experience.
When upgrading I’ll look at your recommendations.
No good alternatives. Very convenient. That’s it.
There are hundreds of better alternatives, to a MS surface. For linux enthusiasts, hardware should be very important, as important as the software, OS your running.
In similar format? Which?
Like I said, the format to me is the problem, any similar format will have glued or soldered component. It’s highly anti DIY by design.
In a portable computer, I want 14inch screen, Replaceable RAM, SSD and battery, HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, a SIM slot. Maybe SD card and ethernet. I want a laptop format because it’s much more comfortable to work on the go. My work PC is a HP X360 1040 G8. It’s a pretty solide machine it’s not heavy. But HP has soldered the RAM on the motherboard, it has no Network connector and no SD card reader.
HP has also removed the possibility to swap keyboard layouts in their professional range, which is very annoying!
But as people buy into Apple and MS bullshit. Other manufacturers will follow into making computer as unrepairable or upgradable as possible.
I agree that we shouldn’t support such an unrepairable devices. But it is too good not to use it. Sorry. My principles went away here 😁
So ergo, no real alternatives. People like the 2-in-1 form factor enough for MS to keep on selling them, and that’s why there are people who want to run Linux on them.
I cannot say I agree.
I am a road warrior, a linux admin and a salesman. I have my SP9 ARM and while ARM on Windows has been a disappointment, the hardware is top notch and does everything I need.
Plus I work in very dirty environments, so it is nice to be able to buy a new keyboard when needed
I’m a huge Linux shill, but man I love the surface pro. It’s just such a sexy device lmao. I’ll mainly run Windows on it, because I at least need one Windows device for my work. The surface pro 9 has and easily replaceable battery which is a huge draw for me.
Greetings from a Surface Book 2 running Fedora 38! Everything works nicely (dtx included), battery life is great. Switching from W10 to Linux on this machine was probably one of the best decisions I could make.
Hmm I’m also still using a surfacebook 2 but with windows 11 and it’s been giving me some issues like hard locks and sometimes overheating. Does the gpu work too or is that not possible? Might switch if that is supported and it does have better battery life.
Surface-linux page for SB2 says their kernel does support Nvidia variants. Not really sure about the battery life because mine only has an iGPU.
Fedora 38 is VERY good. Really cool distro. Same here, best decision was to install linux, it is so much snappier and smooth! P.S. cool GNOME extensions pack, looks beautiful!
My pops has a Surface, first Gen. Middle-tier model. It runs Windows 10, poorly. Do you reckon Linux would work on a first-Gen device?
I guess it’s worth a try, maybe go for Fedora KDE spin or something lighter? If he has an Nvidia card in it I’d suggest gettin Pop!_os.
Yeah it works- and has for quite a while. My SP3 ran Ubuntu fine back in the day, but it didn’t save it from being an unservice-able piece of shit with failing hardware that overheated in 5 seconds flat.
Weird bugs. RIP SP3
Not bugs- it overheated in BIOS. :D
:DDD
It’s the next evolution of planned obsolescence - it just doesn’t work as soon as you start to use it.
It didn’t?!?!
I don’t understand your question.
I am sarcastically shocked that it didn’t prevent the hardware from being shite.
Ha okay. Yeah, no saving that junk heap.
Linux on any portable device is a must, Windows is just too bloated like carrying around your entire house on your shoulders
Maybe not must but it can be very good 🙂
If I had any other computer besides my PC and phone I would wipe the drive and place a clean Linux os in a heart beat
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ITs been a while but last time I tried installing Linux on my surface book 2 it was such a mess and had so many problems.
I’ve been daily driving Fedora with surface-linux kernel on SB2 for over a year. It just works (well, maybe except for the camera).
Good to know! Haven’t tried fedora before.
If it was long time ago maybe you should try it again. Many improvements were made. Also, disable secure boot in BIOS, it is kinda meh on Linux.
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking after reading this. Might be worth a try. I did disable secure boot last time.
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If I ever have to ditch my iphone for a different device OS, I’ll definitely play around with the Linux distros made for phones. Like, lineageOS looks so cool!
It really is, some apps don’t like that it does not have Google play services, but the rest is awesome.
LineageOS is an Android distro
Didn’t know that! Live and learn.
Android is, or at least started as, a Linux kernel. I’m not sure where it sits relative to Linux today.
Uses the Linux kernel but there are real Linux distros for certain phones now (though in Beta)
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PostmarketOS 😏
Very intersting thanks for the heads up.
My Surface Book 2 is quite long in the tooth at this point, windows drags on it but I imagine linux would fly. I’m surprised to see such extensive support for it.
Very cool and responsible developers, that’s why this is the result.
I highly recommend it! I’ve been running PopOS! On my Surface Pro 3 for years. It works perfectly, and functions extremely well with the form factor
👍❤️
It’s actually pretty funny. Back around 2018 I bought an XPS13, being hailed as the golden standard of linux support on a laptop, and my buddy bought a Surface Pro (3 or 4, cant remember). With these patches, his machine not only ran better, but also had 4x the battery life, compared to my fully supported (on paper) machine
wwoohh. Awesome work from Surface side.
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