this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
762 points (98.6% liked)

Linux

48072 readers
1 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] twolate@discuss.tchncs.de 87 points 2 years ago (5 children)

Seems like no stylus? If so it makes the starlite not very surface-like in my mind. Ain't a stylus the reason for something like this?

[–] darq@kbin.social 28 points 2 years ago

Ah damn yeah, I was just thinking that this device might be something I'd consider blowing my budget for, if it can replace multiple devices. But the lack of stylus on a device like this is huge let down.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago (6 children)

How hard would it be to make it work with a third party stylus?

[–] conciselyverbose@kbin.social 33 points 2 years ago (4 children)

It depends.

You can basically always use the crappy ones made for general touchscreens to replicate your finger. You can't use a real one with features like Apple Pencil/surface pen/wacom without an extra layer built into the screen to recognize them.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Treedav@lemmy.one 53 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm not sure on Starlab's background or people's stance on them, but I think this looks pretty nice.

Coreboot, 3:2 aspect ratio, magnetic keyboard, aluminium finish, I'd say makes this a pretty compelling alternative to a surface. Specs aren't super beefy, but I don't think they need to be in this form factor. Introductory price on this seems nice, too.

[–] woelkchen@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago (10 children)

I’d say makes this a pretty compelling alternative to a surface.

And like a Surface, it puts a desktop OS onto a tablet, basically repeating Microsoft's mistake.

Specs aren’t super beefy, but I don’t think they need to be in this form factor.

There's a difference between "not beefy" and a super crappy 1.00GHz Intel N200. A hardware OEM just needs to go to AMD and pick off the shelf whatever is the closest thing to Steam Deck's CPU.

load more comments (10 replies)
[–] RockyC@lemm.ee 46 points 2 years ago

I am of the opinion that if we keep waiting for the “perfect” Linux tablet, it will never exist. The specs of this unit are head and shoulders above any other Linux-dedicated tablet thus far.

I plan on buying one once I see a product review, and if it’s as good as I hope it will be, I hope that Linux users will support it with their wallets so we get more and better devices like this.

[–] dabu@lemmy.world 30 points 2 years ago

The best thing for me is that you can buy a battery for it on their site with instructions how to do the replacement. Nothing is glued together according to the manual (which probably makes it mory clunky than Surface but oh well). Coreboot is an icing on the cake.

[–] dona1dquixote@lemm.ee 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It seems like Star Labs is pivoting away from making superheroes and finally decided to use their technology more responsibly!

[–] Lantern@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

Was looking for this comment.

[–] deafboy@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't need this, I don't need this, I so need this... I mean I don't... fuck!

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Twashe@lemmy.ml 22 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Always wanted to try a star labs product. What always stops me are the specs. Not enough ram or storage or CPU to justify the price. Even though I know the premium is there because they aren't just white labeled clevos like every other Linux focused PC company

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] RotatingParts@lemmy.ml 20 points 2 years ago

I wish I would have known about this before buying the Pinetab2. I didn't realize (completely my fault) that the Pinetab2 was a development unit without working wifi, bluetooth, camera and other issues. Once again, my fault, not Pine64's.

[–] theshatterstone54@feddit.uk 15 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Great RAM and SSD, but at the cost of a quad core processor at 1Ghz. Still, I'd consider it a bargain, especially at 500 with the keyboard, as it is right now.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 14 points 2 years ago (9 children)

The point of a tablet is to be secure to use it with a touch interface. If you install just some vanilla Linux distro, that won't work. Is there any touch based interface for Linux that's worth using?

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 27 points 2 years ago

Gnome has a strong touch interface. You just don't see it when used in a desktop.

[–] art@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

If you install just some vanilla Linux distro, that won’t work.

My Surface 3 Pro with Debian Stable would disagree. The Gnome desktop does pretty good without a keyboard.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (7 replies)
[–] lvl@kbin.social 12 points 2 years ago

Very appealing for a travel device running a Linux kernel. On the product page, they also mention Open Warranty, which makes me believe it will be easily serviceable - this would be a big plus, especially for a travel tablet, being able to switch the disk easily.

[–] frankfurt_schoolgirl@hexbear.net 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's an incredible price for 16gb of memory and a 512 ssd. Would be an upgrade from my 14" laptop. I just hope I don't have to wait multiple years to get it.

[–] theshatterstone54@feddit.uk 5 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Yeah, but at the cost of a quad core processor at 1Ghz

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] jernej@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 years ago

I didn't see anything in the article, but will it have stylus support?

[–] turkelton@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Does anyone have on-screen keyboard experience with Linux tablets?

GNOME Mobile should have a good one after purism started pushing it, right?

Any more info on this?

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] socsa@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 years ago

Damn this might be an easy buy for $600

[–] SgtThunderC_nt@lemmy.zip 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Looks like a dope little device but at that price I think I might be more interested in a Steam Deck.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 8 points 2 years ago

This is the best summary I could come up with:


In the market for a new laptop or perhaps a Microsoft Surface-like tablet style system?

Well, Star Labs have turned their StarLite laptop into a tablet.

I have to admit, I love the form factor on this giving you the best of both worlds.

You get a sweet fully Linux supported tablet, and you can hook it up to a magnetic keyboard to get a full laptop experience too.

This is a proper Linux system too with open-source firmware powered by coreboot and edk II with updates via LVFS.

They support and test many different configurations, and you get a decent warranty with it too allowing you to to take your computer apart, replace parts, install an upgrade, and use any operating system and even your firmware, all without voiding the warranty.


I'm a bot and I'm open source!

[–] SnipingNinja@slrpnk.net 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

I feel like no desktop OS maker has nailed transition to touch screen devices, but I have only recently gotten my first x86 tablet and have only used windows on it, so my experience is limited and I'm only judging from screenshots I have seen online.

(I guess steam OS can count as decent enough, but it's not available yet outside of steam deck and it's gaming focused)

P.S. I honestly would be happy with an iPad if it were not so limited and more non-mobile games were available for it

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 7 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Y'know what? I may just sell my iPad for this.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] terminhell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Wow, the price and openness of both the firmware and warranty make this a very enticing product. I've been casually looking for a new laptop, something to just watch youtube, browsing and manage my home lab with.

I checked out the actual product page, and it's a bit confusing in the configurator. Seems like the default power adaptor is non-us by default. Easy enough to change, no cost variance. But the keyboard section is confusing. Additional layout options for +~$110. Does that mean a secondary keyboard? What's the default?

EDIT: Any keyboard is not included, after finally finding the "what's in the box" in the specifications section. So, factor in an extra $100 in the price if ya need it.

[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 6 points 2 years ago

oooo this thing looks awesome, I want one.
I've always been fascinated by this type of form factor.

[–] Laitinlok@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 years ago

Coreboot too

[–] darkfiremp3@beehaw.org 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

WiFi AC is interesting, mostly because AX has a lot of improvements for congestion

[–] joel_feila@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

hmm interesting I might get this

[–] smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 years ago

Would be great for a plane!

[–] Carter@feddit.uk 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This looks great and seems very reasonably priced. Pretty sure it won't replace my Android tablet but it might tempt me into trying.

[–] woelkchen@kbin.social 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

The plus side of this is that there's not the Android situation where you just won't get OS updates at some point. The downside is that the 1GHz Intel CPU is trash.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] lynny@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Okay but the real question is does the keyboard use QMK? Mnt Reform has set the standard for open source laptops imo, if I can't program my keyboard then that is a massive downside.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] SaintWacko@midwest.social 4 points 2 years ago

Hm, I'm interested, although I've gotten by just fine running Linux on my old Surface Pro 3

[–] woelkchen@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)
[–] conciselyverbose@kbin.social 22 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I support linking the original site as a general rule, but I don't think GamingOnLinux is blog spam. He curates information from a variety of places, provides a quick accessible summary, and very clearly links back to the article he's referencing.

In this specific case, his table of specs is far more readable and accessible than the obnoxious advertising product page is.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›