Hello linix@lemmy, I got fixed on the idea of replacing my iPad with a 2in1 like the thibkpad X13 for uni since I use the keyboard with my iPad a lot. The only time I need to take handwritten notes is in chemistry, mathematics and to annotate PDFs. Does anyone here have experience with convertibles running Linux? What would be the best one for palm rejection and writing?
I was unable to find reviews on reasonably modern hardware. Until now I have my eyes set on an Thinkpad X13 since it is Ubuntu certified at least. Thanks :)
I’m using a Dell Inspiron 2in1 and from the linux side everything runs great. In the three years I have this laptop I tried multiple distros and all worked fine. Besides that the biggest problem was to find a program to make handwritten notes. I really recommend Rnote as it has matured very well over this year and is the only option if you need an infinite canvas to draw on.
I can’t recommend you the hardware tho as it is really aweful. The trackpad gets stuck sometimes and does not come back up with the keyboard showing the same symptoms now, the aluminum chassis gets greasy really fast and the hinges aren’t the best either. Also you must use the cheapest version of all Dell pens because the screen is only compatible with that one pen.
Don’t get a Lenovo yoga they kinda suck
Not sure about the ThinkPad yogas, only used a non -thinkpad one but I’m sure someone will chime in
From what I hear, ironically enough the surface pros are pretty good for Linux
I had a surface pro 4 with Linux for several years. The install process is a bit annoying since you need to get the custom surface kernel but other than that it worked great. I had a lot of issues with the hardware (unrelated to Linux), but I’ve heard that it has gotten better with the newer versions
The thinkpad yogas (at least the models i worked with) work just fine with Linux (Except maybe the fingerprint reader but i never bothered to get it working).
When you need a software recommendation for handwriting/annotating then i strongly recommend xournal++. Imho the best there is and i prefer it over any windows application (onenote sucks balls). Have used it for 5-6 years now.
I use a thinkpad x1 yoga 4th gen with Ubuntu 23.10. Works great. Palm rejection has given me a couple problems, but only sometimes… I have not had time to troubleshoot yet though. I tried xournal++ first but was very unhappy, then tried the snap version of onenote which was much worse and landed on Rnote. Rnote is great!
are nice. Palm rejection for the touchscreen works fine on my Debian Linux, ThinkPad Yoga. I’m not sure if I configured it or it does that out-of-the-box. Keyboard and mouse seem to be deactivated by hardware once i fold it over.
If you’re a nerd you could also learn LaTeX to take notes. I know a few people who got crazy fast typing maths that way. I didn’t, took notes during a lecture with a pen and did quite some of my assignments with LaTeX.
Thanks for the comment, I use latex already for my reading notes but I’m too slow for the lectures. Also my profs like drawing a lot hahah.
Thanks for suggesting RNote, i always use Xournal++ to take notes, but there are some problems and RNote seems to work much nicer with gestures. The only thing that i am missing is an option for saving pen configuration to easily switch between a black pen and a yellow marker.
Slightly sideways suggestion is the Star Labs Starlite, which is a tablet with detachable keyboard/touchpad stand. This might meet your requirements.
I agree, this would be the perfect device. Sadly they didn’t put a digitizer into the screen so thee is no stylus support apart from the capacitive ones.
If you’re after something for digital art this probably isn’t it, but for note taking and basic handwriting it should be alright. They sell a specific active stylus themselves, so it can’t be too useless.
