Been trying to find a good tablet for productivity and recreation. Something that can be used for programming (Not web), and something that can play DRM content.
Ideally, something under $1000.
I’ve already looked at the Librem 11 and am considering it, but I want to know other (ideally, cheaper) options available.
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One caution on older Surface Pros: They are generally not serviceable, and when the batteries eventually go, you will have to replace the device. The 9th gen and later may be better. I am dealing with this right now in a 2017/5th gen Surface Pro. While it’s nice hardware (as a user), apparently the battery is glued-in in such a way that you cannot replace it without destroying the tablet. I’m currently looking to replace it with either a Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable or a Dell Latitude 7320 detachable, both of which are similar but (purportedly) much more repairable.
I have a Surface Pro 4 (I think from 2015) and the battery life now is awful. I might be able to get an hour or two depending on the performance mode, I usually just plug it in while using it now. If I forget to plug it in between uses, it will definitely be dead the next time I go to use it.
Plus it’s starting to feel pretty slow. I do still have Windows on it, perhaps installing Linux would help make it faster but it sounds like it takes some work to get everything working properly so I haven’t bothered.
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imo android and iOS tablets are not even in the same league because they lack tiling WMs. I also think that transparent windows are a pretty important feature although I won’t be surprised if you could find some hacky solution on android. I guess my priorities are different then.
If you don’t mind waiting a few months to get it delivered, the StarLite V sounds like it will be a great device (I’m currently waiting for mine).
I bought a second hand Surface Pro 5 (2017), running Fedora gnome
I’ve started to write a review because I couldn’t really find one, and most of the comments are over the top positive (as it often goes on Linux forums I’ve come to realize). It’s not done yet
But I can summarize it: as a tablet it’s not great but it mostly works. It’s certainly not for someone not ready to troubleshoot, and many problems have no, or no great solutions. Also gnome used with touch has a major bug (which, again, nobody ever mentions for some reason. It will be in my review)
As a 2 in 1 with little touch use it could be alright. The pen is quite good if you want to draw or write, even though there’s a small delay. The cover is okay, but you’re better of with a quality laptop keyboard and big trackpad
I bought it mainly for reading, mostly European format comics (bandes dessinées). The resolution is great for that, and the size is good with a reader that removes white margins
Edit: to give you an idea I bought it for 190€ two months ago, with all accessories, good condition and good battery health (which does not mean battery life is good)
I am interested in this as well. I currently have an iPad Pro and while I won’t be upgrading right now, I have been looking in the space for the future. I’d prefer something more powerful than and M1/M2 iPad to even consider switching. I haven’t seen much in the tablet space that is not Apple orAndroid, but while being performant. I saw that Minisforum has announced the V3, but it isn’t out yet. Has an AMD 8840u, 14" 165hz display. Looks promising, but I’d be worried about battery life.
https://pine64.org/devices/pinetab2
https://pine64.org/devices/pinetab-v
For the tinkerers of course
I purchased the Star Labs Starlite and am hyped. It holds long and is x86.
I wanted to have a convertable to also draw which makes it perfect for me and making me write this comment. Maybe its irrelevant to you. Starlabs also has a normal Laptop I think but I have no experience with both.
Currently with my chromebook duet 3 I can’t really code without making it freeze or unable to execute code because its ARM.
It’s not out yet, but there is a kickstarter from German company Volla, coming in the next few days for a 12" tablet running a Mediatek soc that will be capable of running Ubuntu Touch - for which you can use UT native apps, webapps, some Linux desktop apps via their “Libertine” container, and some Android apps via “Waydroid.” And Volla has an excellent track record of delivering on their product promises - in contrast to Purism.
Probably not what you wanna hear but a Galaxy Tab S6 with Termux, Dex and Keyboard is pretty great.
