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by cshimmin 4406 days ago
Yeah, it's a very well-written article, but here is where I disagree with the analysis.

> The problem, though, is that Surface’s sales numbers show that device quality is not the primary sales driver for Microsoft customers.

Here's the thing: I really want a surface pro. It looks like an amazing piece of hardware, and the keyboard is so essential to what I want to do with it. The only problem, is I don't/can't/won't use windows! I simply require a terminal and a *NIX environment. If there was a really nicely executed linux distro that integrated perfectly with Surface, I'd be all over it for sure. But of course (and understandably), MS is simply not interested in catering to this solution.
4 comments
nilkn 4406 days ago
I'm in the same boat. I don't mind the Windows UI, but without a proper *nix environment I just can't justify spending the money on a Surface Pro. I currently have both a MacBook and an iPad and I really don't like carrying them both around. Having a laptop/tablet hybrid makes perfect sense to me, but only if it can run the sort of OS that I need.

I can see the Surface being a really awesome device for business managers outside of the technology industry, where Windows and MS Office are still extremely widespread. As a programmer though whose workflow is deeply Unix-y, it just wouldn't work.

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dublinben 4406 days ago
Have you seen the XPS 13 Developer Edition? It has a full HD touchscreen and comes loaded with Ubuntu. It's the best you can do if you want a touch capable Linux ultrabook.
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rlu 4406 days ago
I have no idea but is it not possible to turn off Secure Boot on a surface pro and install Linux on it?

If you can even get that far though, I could see the touch cover not working without some sort of driver that only exists for Windows..?

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nivla 4406 days ago
Yes, its a PC like every other and they have to follow their own requirements for Windows 8 (to give the option to disable Secure Boot).

I have done it (with Ubuntu) but keep in mind touch & wacom support on most linux OSes are still finicky especially for high DPI devices.

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MaysonL 4406 days ago
Google surface pro hackintosh and wait a few months for the community to figure the 3 out.
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