Hey everyone! I recently got a Surface Pro 6 mainly for note-taking, and I'm really considering making the switch to Linux since I'm frustrated with how sluggish Windows is and the poor tablet mode. I've heard Linux is much cleaner and bloat-free, which sounds great! However, I have a few hesitations before diving in:
1. I'm unsure about which distro to choose. I've tried searching but it's a bit overwhelming. I need a distribution that works well in tablet mode or is touch-friendly, as I use my Surface primarily as a tablet.
2. Regarding apps, I know about Wine, but I don't quite understand how it works. I currently use the app Nebo from the Microsoft Store, so if there's a way to run it on Linux, that would be awesome. If not, could anyone recommend good note-taking apps for Linux?
3. QuickShare is super important to my workflow since I frequently transfer files from my Samsung phone to my Windows device. Will this work on Linux or is there a suitable alternative?
4. This might sound silly, but I find it hard to locate good guides or videos on how to transition smoothly. If anyone could point me in the right direction or provide some helpful resources, I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks in advance for your help!
3 Answers
Check this GitHub link for resources specifically for Linux on Surface devices: github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface
Another option is to try out a LIVE USB version of Linux before committing. This way, you can explore without altering your current setup! I can suggest a couple of ISOs:
- Mint: linuxmint.com/download.php
- Debian: cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/
You can also put Linux on an SD card or USB stick, keeping Windows intact for backup. Knowing your device’s hardware specifics (like RAM, CPU, etc.) can be really helpful for tailored suggestions too!
That’s super useful—I didn’t realize I could do that! I’ll try it out and see what works. Thanks for the tip!
Hey! Here are some tips that should help you out:
1. When choosing a distro, check out forums or communities that specifically cater to Surface Pro users who run Linux. That’ll give you insight into what’s working for others and the pros and cons of each distro.
2. You're on the right track with Wine! If your main apps aren’t compatible with Linux even with Wine, consider using a virtual machine. This will let you run all your Windows apps while experimenting with Linux without constantly switching back and forth.
3. For file transfer, I recommend trying out apps like Pairdrop or Localsend. They work well on Linux and won’t rely on Samsung’s QuickShare.
4. As for installation, once you select a distro, make sure to visit their official website. They usually have step-by-step guides that are up-to-date, ensuring you get the safest installation process.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your journey into Linux!
Yeah, I did some research and heard people like Gnome, so I think I’ll give that a shot. Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it! Let me know if there are any potential issues I should look out for.
Aight, thanks for sharing!