I wish Windows Phone had stayed. More competition in the mobile space is good, and they had some functioning ideas. Eventually they gave up and turned into a pale Apple imitator before giving up.
Surface tablets are niche but SO much more useful than the app-restricted alternatives from samsung or apple. Nuke windows and stick your fav distro with a tablet frontend on there and it becomes an incredibly versatile little machine.
I’ve never been into tablets, are Surfaces as easy to install Linux on as a PC? Is there any bootloader unlocking or anything like on a phone, or is it more like secure boot on a PC?
I had installed Linux on an old Chromebook and it would always offer to wipe the hard drive on every boot, so now I’ve assumed that some hardware isn’t as Linux friendly as others. I think a lot has changed since I got my desktop and the last laptop that I installed Linux on.
And are the Linux touch screen interfaces any good? I tried a Fairphone that was running something Linux and the touch interface was lacking. (It was a great tiny laptop for using a terminal though).
And last random thought… I loved the 10” netbook form factor back in 2009 or so. I think tablets are a similar size, but the weight is in the “monitor” part, I preferred the bottom heavy laptop form factor. Are the Surfaces okay for that, or top heavy enough that they can fall over and can’t have the angle adjusted finely like a laptop?
I terms of installation they are actually a PC. Just load your favorite distro on a USB stick and install it as you would on a Desktop. For me Ubuntu is working great on an older Surface Go, including touch.
The keyboard cover is highly recommended of course.
Surface are basically a tablet (=all hardware and weight in the monitor). You can get them with a cover that contains a keyboard but it is still top heavy (think of a normal cover for a tablet, but slightly more sturdy because of the keyboard).
There’s also a surface book that more or lees is like a laptop - from the looks of it. The bottom part with the keyboard is heavier, but only contains the keyboard, an USB hub and additional batteries. It’s till top heavy with it, as you can “detach the screen” and still have a fully functional “PC tablet”.
Eeeeeh… So one is bad because you can’t install everything that’s available on Windows but on the other you should install an OS that doesn’t work with everything available on Windows either? Mickey Mouse logic right there!
Neat, you’ve never heard of dual booting! I don’t do it much because the tools that are relevant to my life are all natively on linux, but: On devices like your PC or surface (and technically some android devices, but it’s pretty janky right now) you can have multiple operating systems installed. If you’re doing network management, a device that can boot into both windows and linux is a real boon, for example because there’s plenty of low-level tools that haven’t been ported over to windows / are much easier to use from a dedicated CLI vs. something like powershell (or god forbid, WSL…). Surfaces are great for that, because their small form factor and one hand interface (touch input) mean you can get into some truly stupid places and have your tools right there with you. It’s like a netbook, but not as woefully underpowered.
Nnno, I meant “I do not need windows so you can just axe it no problem”. You expressed your reluctance to give up the ability to use windows applications, which is an issue that can be trivially resolved on a device like a surface where you can easily implement dual booting. It’s… you know, really easy to keep that functionality.
But I guess if you really want to be a jerk about misunderstanding me, go ahead? There’s nothing really stopping you, just do yourself a favor and look at the topic you’re being a jerk about. Incredibly niche applications for consumer hardware. Seriously, you’re better than this.
By nuking Windows you’re trading restrictions for other restrictions is my point, the suggestion of installing Linux doesn’t make sense if the point of not getting an Android tablet is to not be limited as Windows is the OS that’s compatible with the most programs.
I got a second hand surface go 2 recently and it’s the perfect companion device. I wish marvel unlimited and the like had apps on windows but that doesn’t do me from using a different comic app and building up my own library anyway, probably for the better long term.
I just found out about mouse without borders yesterday and now my surface go 2 is like a portable monitor for my dev laptop when it’s not docked in my study. But because it’s still technically it’s own thing and not just an extended desktop, I can have documentation on it and scroll with the touchscreen when needed without messing up the mouse on the laptop screen, but if i need to properly interact with the tablet I can just use the mouse and keyboard on my laptop too.
Honestly, the idiots running software that has been unsupported for years with gaping security holes that enabled botnets to attack everyone else are to blame for that one.
The only issue here is companies who treat my device as theirs, and make decisions about what needs to be removed from my PC. And of course the voters (like your safety-OCD ass) that tolerate this bullshit being a legal option.
That’s cool to know, but is there also a mod to use a controller? That’s what keeps me in bedrock (currently playing android bedrock version on Linux).
I’d be sad if it wasn’t for the fact that 3rd party methods of playing MC in VR are actually better than the official method. Though this does suck for those with PSVR and not PCVR (though, can’t it do that now?)
I find this hilarious because you can currently buy a Minecraft themed charging brick and/or cord and get a code for a cosmetic VR headset for bedrock edition inside the packaging. 🙃
Would be fucked if they delete the working version to ensure “purity” and parity in the state of supported versions, and not just leave it be, not update it and let people keep their shit.
Edit: Aaaaaaaand it looks like that’s the case. Live and let live.Cull the weak.
There’s no real VR version of Minecraft for them to leave be or for people to lose access to. VR is just a feature built into the Bedrock Edition that’s activated by launching the game through a headset.
Unless you count the Samsung Gear VR version. That one’s been left alone ever since the Gear VR fell into obsolescence and can still be played in its unsupported state on an unsupported headset.
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Well that’s a shame
https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/vivecraft/files/all?page=1&pageSize=20
Vivecraft is on Modrinth as well
https://modrinth.com/mod/vivecraft
Honestly, Im really suprised official support lasted this long. Microsoft largely gave up on VR years ago.
that hype train was fun though. The standard microsoft loop.
Windows Tiles, Windows Phone, Zune, Tablets, AI, take your pick
I wish Windows Phone had stayed. More competition in the mobile space is good, and they had some functioning ideas. Eventually they gave up and turned into a pale Apple imitator before giving up.
NGL x86-64 tablets are legitimately much more useful than their competition.
Surface tablets are niche but SO much more useful than the app-restricted alternatives from samsung or apple. Nuke windows and stick your fav distro with a tablet frontend on there and it becomes an incredibly versatile little machine.
I’ve never been into tablets, are Surfaces as easy to install Linux on as a PC? Is there any bootloader unlocking or anything like on a phone, or is it more like secure boot on a PC?
I had installed Linux on an old Chromebook and it would always offer to wipe the hard drive on every boot, so now I’ve assumed that some hardware isn’t as Linux friendly as others. I think a lot has changed since I got my desktop and the last laptop that I installed Linux on.
And are the Linux touch screen interfaces any good? I tried a Fairphone that was running something Linux and the touch interface was lacking. (It was a great tiny laptop for using a terminal though).
And last random thought… I loved the 10” netbook form factor back in 2009 or so. I think tablets are a similar size, but the weight is in the “monitor” part, I preferred the bottom heavy laptop form factor. Are the Surfaces okay for that, or top heavy enough that they can fall over and can’t have the angle adjusted finely like a laptop?
I terms of installation they are actually a PC. Just load your favorite distro on a USB stick and install it as you would on a Desktop. For me Ubuntu is working great on an older Surface Go, including touch. The keyboard cover is highly recommended of course.
Surface are basically a tablet (=all hardware and weight in the monitor). You can get them with a cover that contains a keyboard but it is still top heavy (think of a normal cover for a tablet, but slightly more sturdy because of the keyboard).
There’s also a surface book that more or lees is like a laptop - from the looks of it. The bottom part with the keyboard is heavier, but only contains the keyboard, an USB hub and additional batteries. It’s till top heavy with it, as you can “detach the screen” and still have a fully functional “PC tablet”.
“More useful than the app restricted…”
“Stick your fav distro on there”
Eeeeeh… So one is bad because you can’t install everything that’s available on Windows but on the other you should install an OS that doesn’t work with everything available on Windows either? Mickey Mouse logic right there!
Neat, you’ve never heard of dual booting! I don’t do it much because the tools that are relevant to my life are all natively on linux, but: On devices like your PC or surface (and technically some android devices, but it’s pretty janky right now) you can have multiple operating systems installed. If you’re doing network management, a device that can boot into both windows and linux is a real boon, for example because there’s plenty of low-level tools that haven’t been ported over to windows / are much easier to use from a dedicated CLI vs. something like powershell (or god forbid, WSL…). Surfaces are great for that, because their small form factor and one hand interface (touch input) mean you can get into some truly stupid places and have your tools right there with you. It’s like a netbook, but not as woefully underpowered.
Oh yeah, by “Nuke Windows”, clearly what you meant was “Dual boot”
Nnno, I meant “I do not need windows so you can just axe it no problem”. You expressed your reluctance to give up the ability to use windows applications, which is an issue that can be trivially resolved on a device like a surface where you can easily implement dual booting. It’s… you know, really easy to keep that functionality.
But I guess if you really want to be a jerk about misunderstanding me, go ahead? There’s nothing really stopping you, just do yourself a favor and look at the topic you’re being a jerk about. Incredibly niche applications for consumer hardware. Seriously, you’re better than this.
“Not app restricted” does not mean “Windows software”. These devices are completely open. You can install whatever you want. That includes the OS.
By nuking Windows you’re trading restrictions for other restrictions is my point, the suggestion of installing Linux doesn’t make sense if the point of not getting an Android tablet is to not be limited as Windows is the OS that’s compatible with the most programs.
Sure, Windows is more open than iOS. But you still have much more freedom with how it works with Linux.
I got a second hand surface go 2 recently and it’s the perfect companion device. I wish marvel unlimited and the like had apps on windows but that doesn’t do me from using a different comic app and building up my own library anyway, probably for the better long term.
I just found out about mouse without borders yesterday and now my surface go 2 is like a portable monitor for my dev laptop when it’s not docked in my study. But because it’s still technically it’s own thing and not just an extended desktop, I can have documentation on it and scroll with the touchscreen when needed without messing up the mouse on the laptop screen, but if i need to properly interact with the tablet I can just use the mouse and keyboard on my laptop too.
Software “support” is such a fucked up thing these days.
Dropping support no longer means “You’re on your own now, bye!”
Dropping support now means “Yoink! That’s ours. Bye!”
Honestly, the idiots running software that has been unsupported for years with gaping security holes that enabled botnets to attack everyone else are to blame for that one.
Literal victim blaming.
You are not a victim for not getting all your old versions of software supported forever.
No, troll, the botnets part.
No, the issue isn’t irresponsible devs.
The only issue here is companies who treat my device as theirs, and make decisions about what needs to be removed from my PC. And of course the voters (like your safety-OCD ass) that tolerate this bullshit being a legal option.
Didnt even know it has support. But I also dont have VR so I never bothered looking it up.
I’m in the middle of moving so all my VR stuff is packed in storage. Sadly, I may never get to try it.
Pretty sure Java still has VR mods.
That’s cool to know, but is there also a mod to use a controller? That’s what keeps me in bedrock (currently playing android bedrock version on Linux).
https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/controllable
The answer to “is there a mod for adding X to Minecraft Java” is almost always “yes”
Nice, thanks!
Yes, there are. I think one is called something like Controllable or Controllerable or something.
That is either the bane or something really close. It’s really damn good too.
Java VR is way nicer than what Microsoft had. Their MS implementation always left me nauseous and I’d never had a problem with that in VR before
Good. If they are going to continue to develop the game they need to lose parity as an excuse to do the bare minimum.
I’d be sad if it wasn’t for the fact that 3rd party methods of playing MC in VR are actually better than the official method. Though this does suck for those with PSVR and not PCVR (though, can’t it do that now?)
I find this hilarious because you can currently buy a Minecraft themed charging brick and/or cord and get a code for a cosmetic VR headset for bedrock edition inside the packaging. 🙃
Never knew it did support it. I’ve always used mods like vivecraft to do it
“drop” is an autoantonym.
Will VR be introduced as a new feature next year, or is it already a feature that will be abandoned next year?
there has been a vr version that is aparently no longer supported
Would be fucked if they delete the working version to ensure “purity” and parity in the state of supported versions, and not just leave it be, not update it and let people keep their shit.
Edit: Aaaaaaaand it looks like that’s the case.
Live and let live.Cull the weak.There’s no real VR version of Minecraft for them to leave be or for people to lose access to. VR is just a feature built into the Bedrock Edition that’s activated by launching the game through a headset.
Unless you count the Samsung Gear VR version. That one’s been left alone ever since the Gear VR fell into obsolescence and can still be played in its unsupported state on an unsupported headset.
Hope they won’t drop support for RTX; it hasn’t been updated since release…