Low-end Linux tablet recommendations
I love reading but lately I've found myself having to sit in front of my 2k monitor to read PDFs because they're technical documents and render poorly on my Kindle, even with using various tools to optimize.
I've been considering getting a tablet primarily for this purpose. My main requirement is that I really don't want Android or iOS devices, leaving me with either purpose built Linux tablets or Windows tablets that I can replace with Linux. I really don't need much -
- Fast enough that there's no significant lag between page turns/scrolls
- 8"+ screen size
- Video watching isn't necessary but a nice bonus
- Wifi isn't absolutely necessary as long as there is an easy way of getting files on the device (USB transfer, SD card, external adapter, etc)
- SD card storage would be nice but I can also make due with just internal flash
- Keyboard is also optional - I wouldn't mind being able to run an IDE and connect to my gitlab instance for some simple coding on the fly or SSH into my homelab
- Cameras are largely unnecessary
- Decent battery life or the ability to upgrade down the road
- Looking for something around 500$ CAD (362-ish USD, 312€, 269£)
I've been eyeing the PineTab2 as it meets most of the requirements but reviews seem to be mixed on its usability. So I thought I would ask here if anybody has had similar requirements and found something that works for them. Or if the PineTab2 software has significantly improved - this reddit post seems to indicate that it is in a decent state now.
If nothing like this exists, I suppose I could settle for an Android device provided it can easily take a custom ROM and be de-googled. I would just prefer Linux as I know it quite well and I much prefer the freedom of it. I've also used a touch screen monitor with Plasma on my Arch laptop and been pleasantly surprised at the experience - the hardware is just a bit too clunky to reliably read with.
I'd search for Windows tablets and then look up how well they run Linux. I have Linux running on my old surface go tablet, it works reasonably well there. Though I am hesitant to recommend a surface device as I had to take some extra steps to make it work.
https://ewritable.net was incredibly helpful for choosing a writing tablet, maybe it'll help for your use case as well.
I ended up with a used Supernote Nomad and I love it. It runs an (oldish) custom Android thing, but the older versions of the A5 and A6 run Linux (and there is talk of them releasing an updated Linux option for the newer models, but I don't think it's out yet). Again, different use case, but maybe worth a look.
Also do love my supernote! It is android, but very much tailored to the very specific purpose of writing. Although sideloading is still possible.
Having said that, given that OP is looking for videos as a bonus I am not sure e-ink is a good option.
Probably not, yeah, but mostly I wanted to link the site because damn do I love it when I find passion projects like that one. Dude just really loves tablets, and there's so much great info in there! Some of them are closer to what OP wanted than Supernote, I just wanted to mention mine because it's my favorite toy right now lol.
(Side note: I really want a premium-feeling/heavier stylus for it, so if you have any suggestions, do tell! Specifically I want something like a screw-cap fountain pen, so if you know of any brands that'll take the EMR mechanism without too much fuckery that would also be cool. No worries if not though.)
Have you tried their own heart of metal. It is fairly heavy and robust.
I haven't, but I've been debating it. I don't neeeeed yet another one, so I've been focusing more on diy options (they're easier to justify in my brain).
I was going to say PineTab, but I don't have personal experience with it.
I have used Pinephone for a year as my main/daily phone though. I think the software will probably be very similar - mainly desktop environment(s). I have used Phosh, as KDE Plasma couldn't sync my google contacts due to some LDE related thing. I liked Plasma more as DE though.
The Pinephone was like a dev kit made into technically functioning phone. It had many drawbacks, too many to list here. But I could have used it as (PDF) reader easily. It had working wifi and bluetooth, you could run VLC on it... It was lile a Raspberry Pi with touch display and battery, basically.
If you are willing to buy dev kit or become kinda beta tester (or probably more like release candidate tester), go for it! It will probably cost you some time to get it running (you may end up trying different distros) but one you get it, you will likely be pleased.
Just don't expect easy or uneventful ride.
Just ti be clear: I'm a fan of Pine64, they are great at what they do, they simply make a device for you to play with for reasonable money. They make hardware, software is up to you.
EDIT: I stopped using Pinephone after I dropped it and damaged digitizer rendering 10-20% of touchscreen unusable. My experience is 3 years old.
I got a used Microsoft Surface Go 2 for the same reason last year, and I haven't regretted it: 10" is IMO the perfect size for a tablet, the keyboard is, if not on par with that of my usual Thinkpad, at least usable, the m3-8100Y is dated but perfectly serviceable, and battery life on my unit should reach at least eight hours.
Debian works out of the box on it, and everything I cared to check on is supported, without even having to fuss with surface-linux.
Sorry to ghost everybody but I wound up having to take my cat to the emergency vet. Which also means I won't be buying myself anything soon... Thanks for all the responses! I think I'll probably look into getting a used Surface as I didn't realize the prices were that low
Bauer Systems a reputable Canadian company has some used/refurbished surface tablets that are in your price range. For example a 12 inch Surface Pro 6 I5-8350U/8GB/256SSD is 325$ Canadian.The newer 10/11th Gen Intel models are in the 500-550$ range.
Every attempt I have made to find basically what you're looking for has failed, but I come to every one of these threads to see if there are any new options. It doesn't look like it, which is a bummer, but we'll get there eventually I hope.
One day! If I ever come across anything I'll be sure to let you know :)
Thanks and I will do the same!
If this is going to be primarily for reading, have you considered simply installing a better reader to your kindle? I have heard great things about KOReader.
I actually do have KOReader but either the screen size of the Paperwhite 2 is too small or I'm a dunce who doesn't know how to use it because two column PDFs are still difficult to read :/
Have you tried reflow mode? https://koreader.rocks/user_guide/#L1-pdfs
This is silly, but Portmaster came out with a build for KOreader for SBC portables that run on Linux. The screens on your average ones are pretty small, but you could also go the direction of a used Steam Deck I suppose and read on that.
May I ask why? Reading is the only thing left for my (very old) iPad, and it shines for this use case. I can't think of anything better for reading PDFs and longform articles than a cheap iPad…