One of Linux's biggest perks is the ability to revitalize older computers. A downside of this is that you don't necessarily know what you're getting before you dive in. You can do some reading online, but you can't go into a store and see for yourself how a PC is going to function.
This is a particular problem with 2-in-1 PCs, which none of the major Linux PC providers yet offer. But, it turns out, Linux on these touchscreen devices already provides a great experience. Here are some things to know before you dive in.
Hardware Matters
I installed Fedora Silverblue, running the GNOME desktop environment, on an Acer Aspire R14 2-1 PC from 2016. You can probably expect a similar experience on similar devices with an Intel CPU and integrated graphics.
You will have the best luck on computers that have been around a few years, long enough to have support for the quirkier bits to land in the Linux kernel. Linux often works on brand new 2-in-1 PCs too, but there's a greater chance you will run into issues that you may not have the patience, expertise, or time to deal with.
Be sure to search online for the computer you have or are interested in buying to see the level of Linux support it offers.
Turning a Laptop Into a Tablet
Installing Linux onto a 2-1 PC works the same way as installing Linux on any laptop. There aren't any separate versions you need to find or special steps you need to take.
Once you're up and running, the magic happens on its own.
The Virtual Keyboard
When you fold the laptop back beyond 180 degrees, the system automatically disables the touchpad and keyboard. To type, a virtual keyboard will appear when you tap on a field where you can enter text. Alternatively, you can bring the keyboard up manually at any time by swiping your finger up from the bottom of the screen.
The keyboard is functional, but don't expect any of the luxuries that have appeared on Android and iOS over the years. There is no swiping to spell words, nor do any predictions appear as you type.
The Rotating Display
Once you fold back your screen, it will start rotating automatically based on the orientation of your device. If you flip your PC over so that it rests on a surface like a tent, the screen will rotate in kind.
You can rotate the display in any of the four directions, so you're not limited to three as you are on many mobile devices. If you're lying down while holding your PC folded back into a tablet, you can lock the display in a vertical orientation. This is helpful for reading while laying on your side.
How Well Does the Interface Adapt?
GNOME, especially following the release of version 40, feels at home on a tablet form factor. There are two aspects of this to consider: the desktop interface and the way apps are designed.
The Desktop Interface
GNOME centers the experience around the Activities Overview. You click or tap "Activities" in the top left corner to bring up a dashboard showing your open windows, your apps, and your virtual desktops.
In contrast to traditional application launchers, there are no menus to navigate, and every aspect is large and finger-friendly. The dock and app drawer is intuitive for anyone who has used an iPad, Android tablet, or 2-1 Chromebook.
CloseMost of the behavior you perform with a mouse translates well to touch. You still drag windows around with your finger, though resizing can sometimes be hit or miss. You still maximize windows by dragging them to the top of the screen and unmaximize by swiping down from the top. Likewise, you can arrange two windows side by side by dragging each to opposite sides of the screen.
When in the Activities Overview, after pressing down on a window for a moment, you can then drag it around between virtual desktops.
The App Design
Apps designed for GNOME use a header bar with large, finger-sized buttons. They also use hamburger menu buttons rather than traditional menu bars. This design leads to apps that are easy to use with either a mouse or a touchscreen. When maximized, apps have a similar look and feel to those on a classic iPad.
As more apps transition to the GTK4 toolkit, more are becoming adaptive when resized. This means windows appear one way when fully sized and transition to a phone-friendly format when shrunk down, like many modern websites. This makes the same apps usable for phones, but it leads to a great experience on 2-1 PCs, too.
When you venture away from GNOME apps, you are more likely to encounter traditional menubars. How these work can vary with the app.
In LibreOffice, you currently open menus by holding down on a menu option rather than using a single tap, and you then tap again on the menu item you wish to toggle. In GIMP, you open menus with a single tap, rather than holding the option down.
Traditional Linux apps are still functional, but they are less fun on a touchscreen as they were clearly designed for a keyboard and mouse.
The Linux Tablet You’ve Been Waiting For?
Many of us have long dreamt of a fully free and open-source Linux-powered tablet. The Pinetab offers a taste of that experience, but the hardware is too slow for most people to consider pleasant.
Most 2-1 PCs, on the other hand, offer more than enough power to run touch-friendly versions of Linux. If you can find one that feels comfortable enough for you, you may not have to wait around for a Linux-powered tablet after all.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3KnqysnZ%2Bbe6S7zGijoqalrXqwuoytpq6bmKiws7HEp2Siq12XsrXAxKtkraCRo3q6u9Rmq6GhnqB8