I'm looking for a larger screen than my phone to read Japanese light novels, manga, and manwha, preferably at night. I'm considering purchasing an older tablet, like the Samsung Galaxy S6 from 2019 (not the Lite version), the Huawei Mate Pro from 2021, or the Lenovo Tab P11 from 2020. My budget is around $100 or less, but I'm concerned about things like security updates. Can Linux be installed on these tablets?
2 Answers
You might have some success with the older tablets, but Linux support can vary widely. For example, while some models might run it well, others might have compatibility issues. Look into the specific model’s forum for guidance.
Generally, you can install Linux on Windows tablets like the Surface, but it’s trickier with generic Android tablets. If you're adventurous, there’s the PineTab, which runs Linux, but it’s more for hobbyists and may not be super fast. If you just want something for reading, snagging a deal on an Amazon Fire tablet could be a good option. You'd need to do some tinkering to hack it, but it was relatively easy a few years back. Just be aware that Amazon has made this a bit tougher lately.
I'm more concerned about security since I can't access some content in my country, so I'm using adblockers and stuff. Maybe a custom ROM could work better? I really just need a decent screen for reading and a good web browser.