Tablet spec

ko · 23 Feb 2020, 09:44

@Stefano @rocket2nfinity @Photojoe4
Hi
Thank you all so much for your replies.
I am going to look for an ASUS Transformer Book T100HA as that will allow me to use it as a tablet and as a laptop.
I will be keeping an eye on the progress with UT as I am hoping that I can replace my android (yuk) phone with one running UT as soon as possible.

Thanks again

Kind Regards
Kaz

rocket2nfinity · 23 Feb 2020, 10:10

@ko If your not in a hurry, keep your eye on the Pinetab, it will have detachable keyboard and optional cellphone radio, 10 inch screen. Will likely be upgradable to rockchip 3399 later - Easily as powerful as the lower end chrome tablets (which are also a good all in one option if you don't mind Android apps).

If you need some Android apps but want mostly Linux, Anbox for x86 is installable as a snap and is further along than the ARM version. As others mentioned, you can still run Ubuntu Unity 7 on an x86 touchscreen tablet (16.04 only), or Ubuntu Gnome. Both run fine and are the most workable x86 tablet solution in my opinion. I have a Thinkpad X1 tablet and it is a wonderful mobile solution with Ubuntu. All works including cell radio and I take it everywhere.

KDE Plasma is also a popular option, but I just prefer the design and workflow of Unity.

Lakotaubp · 23 Feb 2020, 10:14

@ko Think Dalton thought the T300 chi version was pretty good if you can find one.

Photojoe4 · 23 Feb 2020, 16:41

@ko I forgot to mention 2 things about the Asus:
1.) Couldn't get the cameras to work, and I never bothered to sort out why as I never had a need for them.
2.) Auto suspend seemed to cause problems with it waking back up so I just turned that off and set the power button to suspend/lock instead.

ko · 24 Feb 2020, 14:26

@rocket2nfinity @Lakotaubp @Photojoe4
Hi

Thank you for your replies - I am amazed at how helpful everyone is

I am struggling with finding a good ASUS Transformer Book T100HA so I have another quick another question - do you know if Ubuntu will run on an Acer Iconia One 10:
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/series-features/iconiaone10
This has a MediaTek Cortex A35 processor which from my research is an ARM processor.

Thanks
Kaz

arubislander · 24 Feb 2020, 14:42

@ko said in Tablet spec:

an ARM processor

An ARM device running Android? Sounds like getting anything else to run on it will require a port of said thing.

ko · 24 Feb 2020, 16:34

@arubislander
Hi

Thank you for your message.
Wouldn't it just be a case of using the ARM version of Ubuntu desktop?
https://ubuntu.com/download/server/arm

Thanks
Kind Regards
Kaz

ko · 24 Feb 2020, 16:36

just realised that is the server version

arubislander · 24 Feb 2020, 16:52

@ko said in Tablet spec:

Wouldn't it just be a case of using the ARM version of Ubuntu desktop?

Sadly, no. The same difficulties that plague porting Ubuntu Touch to new hardware would also be applicable to Ubuntu proper. The culprits are device drivers (screen, graphics, ports, etc)

Stefano · 24 Feb 2020, 20:19

@ko and even Normal Ubuntu distro would be a real struggle to put on Acer laptop/tablet. BIOS is very locked, tried to do that on one recent laptop, impossible.

rocket2nfinity · 24 Feb 2020, 21:48

The Chuwi Hi 10 Air runs as nice as the T100 especially after applying the heat sink fix. It is an Atom chip (Intel) and has been on sale lately because it is being replaced by a better model (Hi-10 X). It is currently running between $160-$180 pen and keyboard included. It's dual mode (win/Android) sibling can be had for $100 without keyboard and can also be made to work using the guide from XDA. You can find both on eBay for cheaper.

The thing with ARM devices, especially Mediatek, is that support is very hard to come by. Mediatek is a big offender of not honoring the GPL they agreed to. That means no drivers, no updates, no source tree. The community has found ways to root and Rom them, but it's an iffy proposition requiring a lot of work. If you go with an ARM device, check Xda-Developers to make sure it's supported by the community first and has at least been rooted, and has a recovery (TWRP), and hopefully a fully functioning Rom (lineage, Ubuntu, etc)

The problem with cheap Intel devices is that the manufacturers also do not support them so something often doesn't work (usually camera). You need to do your research before buying one. However, community support and open source drivers are much more common for x86 based devices so getting the touchscreen to work is much easier. But always check Reddit and the other forums I mentioned to make sure nothing critical is broken and unfixable.

The Hi-10 Air can be made to work with Ubuntu, pen and all, using this guide:

https://forum-xda--developers-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/chuwi-hi10-air-linux-installation-guide-t3915804/amp/?amp_js_v=a3&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D#aoh=15825787994232&amp_ct=1582578810799&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From %251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.xda-developers.com%2Fgeneral%2Fgeneral%2Fchuwi-hi10-air-linux-installation-guide-t3915804

ko · 7 Mar 2020, 14:48

Hi

Thank you all for your help.
I will keep a look out for a device that already supports UT from the ones mentioned above.

In the meantime, I am looking for an LG Nexus 5 (https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/hammerhead) phone so I can install UT so I can replace my existing android phone.

Thanks again
Kind Regards
Kaz

Lakotaubp · 7 Mar 2020, 16:24

This topic has now moved off topic for porting so that's where I'm going to move it. I am also going to lock as this thread already exists on the forum https://forums.ubports.com/topic/3390/suggestions-recommendations-for-touchscreen-laptop-2-in-1-tablet and more than covers the direction of this thread.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.