Question: Just got a Surface Go; want to install linux (use case details in post) (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 months ago by Adonnen@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hello, all. I just got handed down a Surface Go (1st gen, 4gb ram), and I want to use it as a note taking machine, document reader, and secondary display for my primary laptop (Framework intel 12th gen running Fedora GNOME).

I have a pen but no keyboard, so any config will be done with a usb keyboard, but usage will be like a tablet.

I have heard I should install GNOME on a tablet. I am generally ok with the 'opinionated' design of GNOME, but does anyone know what performance to expect? Would I be better off with a lightweight distro and de?
What apps can be recommended for stylus notetaking? Would prefer svg output, and simple workflow to export them to my main machine, where I can embed in markdown notebooks
Finally, the secondary display usage. Is this feasible? I know GNOME has RDP support, but my uni's wifi makes that very difficult, and I'd prefer a wired connection if possible. I don't need the stylus to work.

BONUS: If anyone has experience with the proprietary Surface Connect port, can it be adapted to usb c on linux, so that I can transfer power and >= 5gpbs of data? I see usb c adapters online, but they don't mention data; only power delivery.

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[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

IS general gesture control better supported than it is in pop_os? Because I find the pop_os gesture support basically worthless. Can't scroll, no smart regions, cant pinch, flip etc.

[-] Pekka@feddit.nl 1 points 4 months ago

On the touchscreen I can use pinch to zoom in browsers like Firefox and Microsoft Edge (I use it because Firefox doesn't have PWA support), it is also supported in apps like Gnome Maps and Kirta. In Krita I can even move and turn the canvas with two finger input, it seems moving and turning are both supported in GNOME.

Outside of apps, you can also use a three finger up gesture to go to the active app overview. And you can switch between the active workspace with a three finger swipe to the right or the left (this can make switching between applications really fast). Long press for right click seems to work in most places.

You can drag an app to the left or the right of the screen to make it fill up half of the screen, and drag it to the top to make it full screen.

[-] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Yeah I have a HP envy which is a fliptop touch screen. This sounds identical to what I have and I consider it basically worthless.

this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2024

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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