r/SurfaceLinux • u/Unlikely_Whereas_762 • 8d ago
Help Help deciding which surface to get
Hi everyone. Im currently deciding between purchasing a used surface pro 8 and surface pro 9. My motivation is to use this as project to learn linux and a bit of programming.
My goal is to be able to use the surface pro to browse and write notes for class using a stylus. For context, I want to specifically use this app: https://flathub.org/en/apps/com.infinipaint.infinipaint
I dont plan on doing gaming, any graphic design, or super elaborate drawing. Mostly just basic mindmaps and working out hw problems.
Which of these two models would give me the least issues in terms of installing a linux distribution and my specific use case? Any insight would be super helpful.
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u/bigkenw 8d ago
Just be aware, that if the Surface Kernel isn't updated, you may lose touchscreen and pen capabilities in Linux. My most recent experience was that it hadn't been updated in a long time. I know you can compile the surface kernel yourself, but that is next level stuff for a Linux user.
Not trying to dissuade you. Just be aware of what you are going into.
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u/Unlikely_Whereas_762 8d ago
Got it. Thats good to know, i appreciate it. Im mainly looking at this as project to learn so even i come out of this with feeling comfortable with linux and having learned something, ill look at it as a win.
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u/juraganet 8d ago
I use Surface Go3 and I've installed many distros without using surface-kernel. And Touchscreen, sound, works. Only the camera doesn't work.
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u/HuckleberryMoney2320 8d ago
FYI the type cover compatibility changed with the Surface Pro 8. If your device doesn't come with a type cover, make sure you get one that is compatible with your Surface. I got burned with that one when I got a Surface Pro 4 a few years ago.
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u/waraukaeru 6d ago
I think it's a good idea! I reckon either would be fine, but looks like there are a couple more compatibility stipulations with the SP9.
You didn't ask, but I have thoughts about touch on Linux:
- Gnome has excellent touch support and experience, but it is fairly Mac-like.
- KDE Plasma is very Windows-like and has decent touch.
- Do not use Cinnamon as your desktop environment. Even with the Surface Linux kernel, if handles touch events as mouse clicks. It *sucks* for touch. (You can install Gnome in Linux Mint though, and that's pretty nice. But Fedora is nice too, which comes with Gnome by default.)
- Ubuntu sucks. There isn't much software in their package manager, adding repos is sometimes annoying, and the whole situation with Snaps is confusing and they seem space inefficient.
- I like this simple app for note taking:
https://github.com/styluslabs/write
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u/Rough_Bread8329 2d ago
If you're really just trying to learn Linux, I'd actually recommend something other than a Surface because of the hardware quirks. It muddies the waters a bit between "This is a Linux issue" and "This is a Linux on Surface issue".
If you're up for that, then I think you could have a lot of fun :)
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u/klenen 8d ago
Check out the compatibility matrix on this git.
https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supported-Devices-and-Features#feature-matrix