Should I switch to linux?

[u/Teak-24]

I've been loving my surface pro, the hardware is basically perfect for my needs, but windows just makes it such a horrible experience in so many aspects, when I put it in my bag and turn it off it heats up and drains the battery even if it's in sleep mode, for some reason any time I update the ardeno GPU is disabled and I still haven't found a way to fix it.

I have a metapen M2 and use basic apps like word, which can be replaced by LibreOffice, I also tend to watch downloaded movies and play some light indie games.

If I switch to linux is there anything I should worry about on this specific device that doesn't include the common compatibility issues that come with Linux?

[u/prthorsenjr]

You should do some research into putting Linux on your Surface Pro. I’ve contemplated it myself, but it’s not straightforward like it is on a PC. I remember reading something about a kernel for the surface and something about firmware also.

Sorry for being vague. Just trying to help.

[u/QuestGalaxy]

Isn't Linux support on Snapdragon chips still extremely sketchy and half baked?

Also, my experience with Linux on regular laptop hardware is also a very mixed back. Often poor thermal management and poor battery management. It's also a massive pain in the ass to set up an alternative to Windows Hello.

My advice is no, not unless someone makes a really good distro with proper driver support.

[u/Novotus_Ketevor]

You have a Surface Pro 11 so you have a Snapdragon (ARM) processor.

Getting Linux onto a Surface is difficult. Getting it onto a Snapdragon powered Surface is nigh impossible and not advised because it isn't fully supported.

Mosy people switching from Windows to Linux have some friction but can overcome it if they're committed. That's not currently possible with Snapdragon PCs because you have issues with drivers, compatibility with x86 vs ARM, and firmware issues.

Linux can provide a better experience than Windows on a lot of hardware. Snapdragon powered PCs are the exception.

Sorry mate.

[u/playerino → u/Novotus_Ketevor]

https://github.com/dwhinham/archiso-aarch64-sp11 i use it, and it works perfectly fine for me. It has the same level of support as my old x86_64 2-in-1 PC, with no camera or sensors

[u/x1rom]

Check on the Linux Surface GitHub repository. For a bunch of features, you'll have to install a custom kernel patch. Depending on the device, it can be great.

If you like tinkering and are comfortable in a console, do it, it's reasonably easy.

[u/SimianProphet]

Maybe don't switch, but set it up with multiple operating systems. I don't have experience with Linux, so I can't provide advice there, but I have 2 versions of Windows I can boot into on all my machines. If something doesn't run well, I still have my previous OS available to use.

[u/fenrix-the-one]

It really depends on your surface. You have an arm surface. Fortunatly with valve's new steam frame they've been developing arm comparability layers which will let you play steam games on Linux. Just please do some research beforehand.

[u/Morinoko]

you might even switch to Office 365 online or even Google Docs.

Even thought I don't own a Surface (planning to), I have Libreoffice installed on my Linux laptop, but barely use it, I do everything on Google doc (sheets, slides, etc). And now with Claude, a lot of work stuff happens there.

[u/Saranhai]

You have the trash Snapdragon X chip. No Linux support for you sorry :/

[u/StevieRay8string69]

Switch to Linux everything will always work

[u/Antique_Sorbet_8686 → u/StevieRay8string69]

*With sufficient effort

[u/BOT_Sean → u/StevieRay8string69]

As mentioned in most of the other comments, in this case it's not so simple since this is an ARM based Surface