linux VS linux-surface

Don't know how old your "old surface tablet" is, but I run postmarketOS on the very first Surface RT and it works fine. It uses the kernel from https://github.com/grate-driver/linux and requires a one-time semi-complicated procedure to bypass Secure Boot and switch away from Windows.

>On screen keyboard was completely broken with Wayland

It's a tegra30 so I don't run a wayland compositor on it, just Xorg with i3. I haven't tried an OSK inside i3, but the OSK at boot time to enter the disk encryption password (unl0kr) works fine.

>X had trouble with screen rotation.

The kernel supports reading the accelerometer sensor so I wrote a script to listen to iio-sensor-proxy signals and run `xrandr` to rotate the screen accordingly.

>I don't know how much touch screen only computers are considered during development of desktop environments and display servers

Phosh, Plasma Mobile and SXMO are all DEs / compositors for phones and tablets, so they support touch fine. I run Phosh on my phone and have none of the problems you described.

We are developing a newer kernel based on grate-linux (Linux mainline kernel with experimental patches for Tegra devices, see https://github.com/grate-driver/linux). This port is in a good shape overall. However, many features still do not work at the moment (sound, openGL).

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.

How to get out of this situation? Links https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/issues/1240 - the same problem as I have and the same puncture, but the person managed to get out of the situation https://www.reddit.com/r/SurfaceLinux/comments/16d40vs/kill_my_surface_pro_2017_need_help/ - my similar post in a nearby subreddit, but since I'm here, the problem turned out to be bigger than I thought

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

Should have you covered.

I went the 12” MacBook route which can also install Linux.

I have a surface with Ubuntu and the Surface Kernel (https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface) , and it works really wonderfully. I will say, before installing the Surface Kernel, it was very janky.

I know about https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface but I'm looking for practical feedback from people who did the operation in order to orient my choice.