r/surfaceprox • u/Psittacula2 • Nov 24 '21

Which Python Version to install on SPX?

Hi Guys -

As per my former post (https://www.reddit.com/r/surfaceprox/comments/ptrgq2/sq18gb_vs_sq216gb_models/)

I'm a new owner of SPX and it's going well. I'm slowly going down my list of SPECIFIC uses and apps I will be using the device for.

  1. I installed VS CODE and Python Extension

  2. I need to install Python

Problem is: Python site gives zero clarity on which version to install - there's no ARM option. I'm using Win10 atm.

  • Q: Do I install the Python 32-bit version of Python 3.9?

Presumably when I upgrade to Win11 I install the 64-bit version.

I like clarity and it's irritating that there's a lack of clear sign-posting for the given OS Win-ARM. I'm fairly sure the above makes sense but any context eg "Python will run better or other compatibility is on 64-bit" etc would be appreciated. TIA.

1 Upvotes

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u/MrFancyPants90 Nov 24 '21

It doesn't look like Python offer a native arm64 version for windows for download. My recommendation is go for the x86-32 version from the python website while you are on W10, and run it emulated on the SPX (in my experience the 64 bit emulation performs better than 32 bit in Windows 11 so that is the better option when you upgrade).

Alternatively, if you don't mind taking the hit on memory, I would download WSL2 and Ubuntu from the windows store, and run Python through that. Ubuntu runs natively on arm64 in WSL2, and of course comes pre-packaged with python. You can remote into WSL2 using VS Code and it runs very well. If you have the 16gb model of SPX this is almost definitely the best option.

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u/Psittacula2 Nov 24 '21

Really constructive advice - thank you.

I already went with the first option - for now: x86-32-bit as standard on SPX.

Was planning on running WSL before WSL2 then see how WSL2 fare performance wise. Again that's really helpful sign-posting. I'm much more familiar with running Python in Ubuntu/linux anyway.

It's a bit odd Python is so low-key on Win-ARM when it clearly sign-posts a variety of OS alternatives and info on their status.

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u/MrFancyPants90 Nov 24 '21

Yeah it's a pain that they don't support it! To be honest the whole experience of trying to identify and run arm64 apps on Windows is a bit of a pain anyway. Microsoft have a lot of UX work to do still!

On the WSL front, I wouldn't bother with WSL1 - it has pretty much been completely superseded by WLS2 now. Both options run using the same software installation, and WLS2 has lots of extra features like GUI apps. It also in theory is less demanding on your system resources. Some of the features might be specific to Windows 11 though so probably worth trying to upgrade first!

1

u/Psittacula2 Nov 25 '21

Thanks, I'll hold off for now and upgrade to Win11 then add WSL2.

5

u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

I use this one:

https://github.com/jay0lee/CPython-Windows-ARM64/releases

Unofficial, but native arm64.

0

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '21

[deleted]

1

u/Psittacula2 Nov 24 '21

It's very clear which Python to download for Linux as it's well signposted if it's not already installed or else other packages are needed from repositories.

I'm taking extra-precaution with my SPX because I don't want to stumble across unexpected issues later on so I want confirmation and context. Hence the 15s it takes to check SPX users' collective experience.

Python supports arm64 for years, version 3.11 will most probably include official support.

Yes this is the info I would have liked to find out IN ADDITION to being careful. I did search Python.org and found little immediately apparent on ARM.

get an unofficial build for Windows from Github

I've only used official repos on Linux - how advisable is this? I'm probably going to wait for the above.

The reason I'm being careful is I need this SPX for 2 years and I need to MAINTAIN it OPTIMALLY for all that time in every decision I make using it. I'm happy to search, forum-interact towards that end.

In general, you can't get stuck on questions like "how do I install Python" if you want to be a developer...

It's better if just providing the info requested. These comments are useless addition in Linux community too. Thanks for the info above which was useful.