Linux @lemmy.ml atmur @lemmy.world 4 mo. ago

Update on 'Best "convertible" or 2-in-1 device to run Linux on?' (Minisforum V3 first impressions)

So about 2 months ago I made this post about looking for an iPad replacement that runs Linux. I said I wasn't in a rush, but after thinking about it ever since and seeing the Minisforum V3 go on sale for just $1000, I pulled the trigger.

My impressions are still very new (I have used it for a total of 2 hours at this point), but I'm super happy so far. Installed Fedora 40 and almost everything works out of the box (including a Wacom MPP stylus). As mudkip mentioned in this blog, the volume buttons don't work when the keyboard is detached and auto-rotation doesn't work. The former isn't a big deal and the latter doesn't affect me in the slightest, but I can confirm those issues are still present on a stock Fedora install.

Anyway, there's not a lot of information about this tablet running Linux out there, is there anything anyone wants me to test or any questions I can answer?

34 comments

Have you tried something like input-remapper to map your volume buttons when the keyboard is detected?
- Just tried it, and yep, that solved that problem.
  
  Awesome. Great to hear.
- Happy Lemmy-versary :)
  
  Thanks!
I wrote it several times and I will write it again. Linux on a tablet is at best average. However, after recent release of KDE 6, plasma mobile got really good. In tablet mode it feels almost like a real thing. I've been using it for some time now and I like the experience.
- i used Fedora with Gnome on Lenovo Yoga and regularly flipped the keyboard around and used it in Tablet mode.
  
  It's not average, it's pretty good if you ask me. Never had any issues and it was absolutely usabale.
  
  It is usable but I've been using iPad for years before trying Linux on a tablet and it's way behind iPadOS in terms of ux and ease of use. The latest plasma mobile makes it more tablety but it still feels like a desktop with touch support. Having said that, I'm pretty happy with plasma mobile and can't wait for further improvements.
  
  Gnome osk keyboard is pretty subpar if you ask me though
- I am super tempted to switch to KDE on this thing. KDE has always looked cool, but I'm too happy with Gnome on my main desktop to justify fully switching. This is seeming like a perfect opportunity for some variety...
  
  KDE works ok on touch devices but if you're going to switch, try plasma mobile.
If anyone is looking for a good 2-in-1 i would suggest the newer generations of the Thinkpad X1 Yoga, i haven't had a single issue with the 6th gen and fedora. GNOME is really great for touch screens too.
- really fucking expensive though
  
  Yeah this was the issue for a lot of the 2-in-1s I looked at. Lenovo, Dell, even Microsoft have some cool options, but they're insanely expensive by the time you spec them to be comparable to the V3.
How much does it cost?
- The 32gb ram model was $1000, on sale from the usual $1200
How is your drawing experience?
- Really good, but I did have to remove the screen protector as I was getting line jitter with it on.
  
  Palm rejection is better than I expected but not as good as an iPad.
  
  I've been using a Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus. Pressure sensitivity and stuff works out of the box, no additional drivers needed or anything.
  
  Krita is excellent.
  
  Awesome, thank you!
Does brunch/ChromeOS work ok on it ? 🕺
- 🤸 Seriously, you could try brunch with linuxloop, and it will add just a line to your grub and will run chromeos in a virtual disk image, not messing up your partitions. You might find it useful sometimes thanks to its android apps
You must be new to Linux as a whole.

Here: https://github.com/mudkipme/awesome-minisforum-v3

Also there's a TON of reviews about this running Linux. Can't say a bad thing about it.
- You must be new to Linux as a whole.
  
  lmao i am not
  
  Then I shouldn't have had to share that link with you which will solve all your issues, right? I'm sure you know all the Linux things from your sarcasm, and it's the Hardware's fault.

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