What’s the best tablet to install Linux on? I am looking for something affordable (under $200) and light just to use a PDF reader with MEGA sync.
You might be better off getting an Android tablet and installing Linux on top of Android.
It’s usually pretty easy to find secondhand Microsoft Surface devices for that price point (check craigslist, FB marketplace, and the like), and they absolutely rock when using a Gnome-based distro (like Fedora).
There’s a great project that works on Linux compatibility for Surface devices, you can check it out here: https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supported-Devices-and-Features#feature-matrix
Just make sure about what you’re getting yourself into: features such as IR facial detection and stylus input isn’t supported on all models OOTB by the surface kernel. Also, it is a bit messy with how surface handles booting.
Linux on surface works (I got Ubuntu on both my Go gen 1 and pro 7) but expect to put in time to tinker and manage unexpected issues.
I just installed Fedora with KDE plasma and Wayland last weekend using the surface kernel. Was pretty painless, after abandoning a couple other distros that did not play nice.
The instructions on the GitHub are also very good, though obviously every years surface has its challenges I’m sure.
https://pine64.com/product/pinetab2-10-1-4gb-64gb-linux-tablet-with-detached-backlit-keyboard/
It’s still very much a beta in a lot of ways, but PineTab could maybe handle PDFs
I don’t know anything about MEGA sync, but a used Surface Go 1 with 8gb if ram and the 128gb ssd is my daily driver and works really well with Fedora.
When I installed ubuntu on my surface go 2 it was as easy as there is good known documentation on it. Only thing is you want to pick up a usb c dock to plug a keyboard along with the installation media. https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Surface-Go-2
The install was really easy even if sometimes the Surface is a bit difficult to boot on an usb drive. I don’t know why but the Usb drive is easier to boot when using ventoy on it with multiple bootable iso’s on it.
Otherwise everything is easy and I had nothing to do to make it work fine on Fedora.
I just don’t know how the installation process would have been without the typecover (keyboard).
Lately I’ve installed the Linux Surface kernel to improve the mouse bluetooth also.
You want everything just handed to you or what? You’re asking for cheap, best, and easy. At some point you need to decide what your goal is and accept that you’re going to have to compromise.
Huh? I know exactly what I want that’s why my post was very specific. If you don’t have anything to contribute to the post go outside and take your elitism out on a punching bag.
I have tried with a couple myself and come to the conclusion that right now you’re probably better off buying an android tablet, putting a de-googled version of android on it and running termux if you need Linux on it
