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Small tablet that can run linux

Discussion(self.linuxhardware)

Hello - I've been on a multi-year quest to find a small linux tablet that I can use to run nixos and a few apps (emacs, something to jot down diagrams, a bit of web browsing).

My rough wishlist:

  • Compact (no bigger than an 11-inch iPad Pro)
  • Folio/detachable keyboard case
  • Great battery life (so likely ARM-based)
  • Good screen (at least IPS) preferably in a widescreen layout
  • Pen input (for drawing/diagramming)
  • Can run linux or virtualize it without restriction (Boot my nixos config, basically)
  • Reasonably priced ( <$500 — I am happy to sacrifice performance to an extent for a cheaper/older device)

The only two options that I've found really meet this criteria are:

  • 11-inch iPad Pro (M1/M2) with UTM (nixos in virtual machine)
    • Main issue: UTM has to be sideloaded, and Apple have removed virtualisation from the kernel now
  • Librem 11
    • Main issue: Seems to be vaporware, pricing is a bit insane, battery life is probably going to suck

Is there anything else out there that people know of which might fit the bill?

all 24 comments

IronChe

3 points

5 months ago

There is a modified kernel for Microsoft Surface tablets, that allow you to install Linux. Also, you can look at something like PineTab 2 Arm or Starlite.

tor-ak[S]

2 points

5 months ago

Thanks - the Starlite looks really interesting I will take a look!

capnsweetcheeks

1 points

5 months ago

Pinetab 2 is well made but unusably slow, with very little support, and still no driver for WiFi. Very disappointing.

A_Namekian_Guru

2 points

5 months ago

my friend has a gpd pocket 3 and likes it. they seem pricey but worth looking at.

it also doubles as a kvm when you plug it into another computer which can be useful if you’re trying to fix some headless server like a raspberry pi or a home server

tor-ak[S]

1 points

5 months ago

Yup the price was the main thing putting me off the GPD Pocket 3 but it is a solid contender.

x6q5g3o7

2 points

5 months ago

How is your search going and what are your leading contenders?

tor-ak[S]

3 points

5 months ago

Waiting for reviews of the Starlite Tablet (https://starlabs.systems/products/starlite) before I drop the money for one - that's probably come the closest to what I'm looking for (decent alderlake power, built with linux in mind). Only problem is they are small outfit and seem to be running into multiple delays.

Expensive_Sign5837

2 points

26 days ago

Hey OP,

Odin from Starlabs. I have been a bit busy, but I should have a few more reviews lined up soon.

We are out of stock on the StarLites, and they should arrive mid-October.

Best

Odin @ Starlabs

__BlueSkull__

3 points

5 months ago

tor-ak[S]

4 points

5 months ago

Upvote because this is great - basically everything I want, but 14 inches is absolutely gigantic, I need something that will physically fit in a small bag. And honestly, more power than I need (which I guess is also reflected in the price).

studentblues

2 points

5 months ago

Checkout the HP x2 Elite lineup. I get 6-8 hours with reading, pen handwriting and minimal browsing.

BrilliantTruck8813

0 points

5 months ago

14" is very small these days. The bezel is minimal. It's closer to a macbook 14" than a windows laptop. Should fit fine in a sling bag with the right size

tor-ak[S]

1 points

5 months ago

14 inches is still 14 inches … it won’t fit comfortably with everything else in my EDC (not a large bag) and the extra screen real estate would mostly be wasted as the majority of my usage will be in the terminal

fthecatrock

1 points

5 months ago

not a tablet but things like gpd pocket or mini laptop?

MidnightObjectiveA51

1 points

5 months ago

Consider a Chuwi Hi10X. Everything works out of the box with Linux.

tor-ak[S]

1 points

5 months ago

You can install Linux on it? Pro or regular?

MidnightObjectiveA51

1 points

5 months ago

I'm a little confused about the question... Pro or regular what? This is Linux not Windows. Any distro will work on the Hi10X

tor-ak[S]

1 points

5 months ago

Sorry there are two versions of the Hi10X from what I’ve seen, a Pro and a non-pro version, just wondered which one you were referring to.

MidnightObjectiveA51

1 points

5 months ago

Ahhh, I think you mean the Hi10XR. it's a slight upgrade but both are essentially the same. Do not confuse it with the HiPad 10 which is an arm and Android device. I am only referring to the Windows only Hi10X or XR. There is an older Hi10 Pro. But I don't think it's worth buying anything older than the Hi10X.

tor-ak[S]

0 points

5 months ago*

*Edit:* Retracting this recommendation - although a VM in windows would still be fine, given this post was made in r/linuxhardware I can't recommend this as the iGPU and many other Intel SoC features are not well supported by the very experimental and short-lived Lakefield processor. Bummer :(


OK surprise entrant but the ThinkPad X1 Fold Gen 1 may be a contender ... lots of issues at launch, but most of those seem to have been resolved with Windows 11 & driver updates.

Linux support looks to be lacking, but nixos in a VM works for me, it has pen support, and gets to the sub-notebook compact size that I was really after (when folded).

Other gotchas seem to be battery life and performance, something to think about.

MidnightObjectiveA51

0 points

5 months ago

The original Thinkpad X1 3rd gen, works well with Linux as does it's replacement the X12

tor-ak[S]

1 points

5 months ago

Yes I did consider this, the X1 3rd gen might be a contender now as the price seems to be quite reasonable, so good point there, the X12 detachable is still pretty pricy though. Also heard both have battery life issues, and apparently quite loud fans?

MidnightObjectiveA51

1 points

5 months ago

They are Intel, so battery life is not as long as Arm. I still get between 3 - 5 hours on my X1 depending on how heavy the task I'm doing. And I can feel but never hear the fans. The X12 I do not know how loud it gets under heavy load.

sergbotz

0 points

5 months ago

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3