Linux-Pollrate-Patch VS linux-surface

mkdir ~/SourceCode; cd ~/SourceCode; sudo apt install git; git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git ; git clone https://github.com/KarsMulder/Linux-Pollrate-Patch ; cd linuxuname -rgit checkout v5.11git apply ../Linux-Pollrate-Patch/pollrate.patchmkdir -p ../builds/amd64sudo apt install libssl-dev kernel-package patch dwarves bison flex libelf-devcp /boot/config-$(uname -r) ../builds/amd64/.configmake O=../builds/amd64 olddefconfigpushd ../builds; wget https://iam.tj/projects/ubuntu/linux-deb-no-debug.patch ; popdpatch -p1 <../builds/linux-deb-no-debug.patchgit diffexport PKG_DEBUG=1scripts/config --file ../builds/amd64/.config --disable SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYSscripts/config --file ../builds/amd64/.config --disable CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO_BTFmake -j4 O=../builds/amd64 bindeb-pkg |& tee /tmp/kernel-build.logsudo dpkg -i ../builds/linux*5.16.0-rc1+*.deb

If degrading your entire system to USB2 speeds is unacceptable: I wrote a kernel patch that can override the polling rate under the xHCI driver, but never upstreamed it because of reasons. I haven't tested it since last year (because even I find it too much hassle to compile my own kernel to solve this problem) so I don't know if it still works, but I suppose you can try it if you're really desperate.

This has a miserable 1280 x 800 pixel screen and eMMC storage. If you are interested in a tablet running Linux, I think my daily driver might be a better choice: A Microsoft Surface Pro 3 running Debian¹ with very few problems. It has a 2160 x 1440 touchscreen and a real SSD. Easy to find used/reconditioned for about $100.²

[1] https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface

[2] https://www.ebay.com/itm/205341079054

Note: I'm wrong, surface support for ipu6 isn't there yet, see https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/issues/1516 (via https://www.reddit.com/r/SurfaceLinux/comments/1fwyzu1/comme... )

My understanding is Surface Linux is mostly the project built around developing kernel patches to be upstreamed, so the specific Kernel is more focused around external patches. Here’s their comment on this from their GitHub [0]:

We aim to send all the changes we make here upstream, but this may take time. This kernel allows us to ship new features faster, as we do not have to adhere to the upstream release schedule (and, for better or worse, code standards). We also rely on it to test and prototype patches before sending them upstream, which is crucial because we maintainers cannot test on all Surface devices (which also means we may break things along the way).

So should you install this custom kernel and the associated packages? It depends: We generally recommend you try your standard distribution kernel first. If that works well for you, great! But if you're missing any features or experiencing issues, take a look at our feature matrix and give our kernel and packages a try. If your device is not listed as supported yet, feel free to open an issue.

0. https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface#why--about-th...

old? 6.9.x as of today https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/releases

You mean the other arm surface devices? Linux boots a and runs quite well on the x86 ones?

Looks like someone has Linux booting on the 11 already:

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/issues/1476

Now lets make it work with Linux - I say this slightly tongue in cheek, but I run Linux on my intel surface laptop, always wanted on the surface pro x. This project is doing great work in the area https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface

It's mainly because of your system of choice. For an alternative OS to run smoothly on a Windows-only device, the manufacturer needs to either have good documentation (so that someone else can the work) or not do proprietary non-standard stuff.

See https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supporte...

If you are using a recent version of Ubuntu, FDE and HiDPi should not be an issue except for old apps. Factory Reset doesn't exist on most desktop distros but things are moving towards for other ways. e.g. Deterministic NixOS or Fedora Atomic Desktops. I agree with your remaining points.

Apart from camera, almost everything is working correctly. Camera doesn't work at all.

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface

I use this kernel, you can use this with most operating systems.

I use xournal++ for note writing, and using GNOME is necessary. KDE doesn't have support for screen rotation etc. When you use GNOME, make sure to disable gestures and screen edge detection, because that might occasionally cause problems.

So, the workflow is quite simple with xournal++, you run a `inotify` based watched which automatically compiles and pushes stuff on every save. I of course assume that only `xournal++` on tab can change those handwritten notes. You can get some fancier git logic if needed.

```

while inotifywait -e modify,create,delete,move $INPUT;

There's support for Linux on the Surface range:

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supporte...

But actual users seem to say it's a bit of a mixed bag.

If someone's looking for a laptop (that doesn't need touchscreen support), then Apple laptops are probably the better choice.