Yes, you can run Linux on the Surface Go.
Yes, you can run Linux on the Surface Go.
I appreciated 8.1 for its consistency. Metro apps looked good while the traditional desktop maintained a distinct style. It felt balanced and separate. Now everything seems scattered. The settings app matches the Metro design, but the file explorer resembles the classic desktop look—really frustrating on a touchscreen. In my view, 8.1 was more pleasant to use than 10. Stability will improve over time. Right now I’m leaning toward the “maybe” side because I don’t find iPads very useful. I only used one; it was mostly for watching YouTube. The main point is that on Android tablets or iPads, the interface limits my productivity. I’d prefer a full desktop OS where I can work efficiently. Mediocre hardware? I think most current iPads are quicker than the Surface Go, though I’m not sure. Austin Evans’ video comparing current iPad scores with Surface Go and the Go really highlighted that, but I might be mistaken.
Apple offers a smoother experience compared to Linux, even though I don’t use Apple products. The design matches the Surface Go, but Apple’s tools feel more elegant for artists than Microsoft’s. Reality won’t shift no matter how much criticism there is.
Apple offers a more refined experience compared to Linux due to its tighter control and extensive software support. Beyond that, Linux and macOS function similarly as unified versions of Unix, which explains their classification as "Unix-like" systems.
I agree, though Apple sometimes makes unusual decisions. They don’t build the perfect product for me. A 10–11 inch device running full MacOS smoothly and with a decent display is what I expect. However, I’m very comfortable with Linux and feel more at home there. If I need something I can’t easily achieve natively on Linux, I’ll prefer a platform that’s faster than a Surface Go. Personally, macOS feels more refined than Linux. With macOS, I don’t have to worry about the operating system—everything works as intended. That said, I do recognize that macOS is heavily restricted compared to Linux, which is why I use other machines for certain tasks. I also don’t have a direct play-on-Linux alternative for macOS.
I thought about installing Ubuntu on my Surface Pro, but with only 128GB available, dual booting wasn’t practical unless I needed just a small amount of space. I also tried a Ubuntu live USB (18.04), but the touch support wasn’t included in the live CD, so I stopped installing because there’s no official touch driver for it.
Interesting fact. I didn’t realize they could hack into Hackintosh to work with such a wide variety of hardware. That’s impressive. Do you have full video and audio support? Like all compatible video formats and similar features? Also, does ECEL work? Linux offers many drivers for different devices, while macOS is limited to specific hardware like certain CPUs, video cards, and sound chips. It seems possible since macOS runs on BSD, so if hardware is supported in BSD, it should also be possible under macOS.
It seems you mainly used 8 and 8.1 on touch screens. I understand it’s a very intuitive interface for touch interactions, especially with swipes. However, on non-touch versions it feels quite poor. 10 would benefit from a touch-focused interface for devices like Windows 8/8.1, allowing quick switching between layouts. When using a touch screen, easy access to the toggle lets you switch GUIs instantly as needed. If I’m sitting and prefer using my mouse, it’s convenient. But while working upright, I’d appreciate the ability to tap the toggle for a smoother experience.
I haven't tried 8 and 8.1 on a touch screen before. I really preferred it over the current situation because you clearly understood the performance settings for various tasks. Also, talking about hacking into systems isn't permitted here...
I was discussing with another user about the reddit link they shared.