A true computer in the form of tablet;
a device I can install a the normal editions of fedora, arch or slackware by a standart live USB drive

not by a rooting jailbreaking software
not by flashing
not by soldering rx/tx points

wifi -> necessary
bluetooth - strongly prefered
HD video, 3g, SSD - prefered
CPU, RAM -> just enough to run smooth(I run a minimalist WM without a bloated a DE), most of the legwork will be done by my vps
looks -> could't care less


I'm looking for not a cool toy but a real computer...

does anyone knows such a device?

There are many pc based tablets, usually they are sold with some microsoft distro on them.

This is an example but there are plenty of them from less to some very rugged types designed for military and law enforcement.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215081

I have an few much older versions of this. http://www.xploretech.com/

1 members found this post helpful.

There are a few things to concider when buying an x86 or x86_64 Tablet PC instead of those arm processor toys.

1. Hardware support
Some Older Tablet PCs will have odd hardware that won't be supported at all. My Fujitsu ST5010 does not have drivers for the O2 Micro SD/MMC or Smart Card slots. But USB works, IR works, I could probably get the IR keyboard to work if I had one, Wacom Pen works, the side buttons partially work with apanel and work a little better with the fjbtndrv (fujitsu button drivers). And suspend works nicely. However, it's a really old computer so it doesn't run the latest gnome 3 in hardware mode and KDE 4.7 seemed slugish and rendered weird. A brand new $2000 Tablet PC will probably have a touch screen. Right now KDE 4.7 is the only thing that has features for this I think... You will have to wait for Gnome 3.2 probably... Gnome however has the superior workflow for a true Tablet PC. I can't wait to see the future of Gnome in this area.

2. Software selection and distro
No distro is going to have all the programs or driver support you may want. If you are running an x86 distro on your main machine and buy an x86 Tablet PC, you can just compile programs, package them, and put them on your Tablet PC. You have many keyboard options available to you, cellwriter still works great even with no updates, qwo (a quick writing input method) from open moko also works nicely, and I personally like Jarnal for a general vector graphics note taking program. If you must know, I'm running Slackware with XFCE and it works 'ok'. I run slackware as my main machine so it's easier to compile software for it that way.

3. Buy a docking station with a CD drive. It's just easier that way. And it will double as a prop if you use it for looking at something while using your main PC.

4. Concider a KVM because it's easier to manage from your normal working area if your keyboard can quickly switch between the two.

5. Take a deep breath, back up the windows install on it, and know that you are putting Linux on it to have fun and as an experiment. It may take you a while to get it working nicely.

1 members found this post helpful.

@jefro

xploretech definitely looks like what I like, yet it seems very hard to find a place to buy


@lumak

great post thanks!

Do you think running something like openbox on a tablet will be too bad? I mean I just need basic computing and a the virtual kboard will be enough for most of my use

you need an easy way to switch apps with a stylus so a task bar or dock bar is a must. Also configuration files without a keyboard is really annoying. For both those reasons I chose xfce. It's reasonable. If you were to take the time, fluxbox, openbox, or any thing is going to work.

Be warned. I dont know any thing about touch screens and linux. There may be some quirks.

I know it may be unlikely, but I would add:

* No M$ tax.

Anyone know of any devices that qualify?

Honestly, it's not worth the hassle. Getting a pre-built computer without windows needs to be special ordered and I doubt they would sell an x86 or x86_64 tablet without it. Additionally, Windows 7 on a tablet looks like it would be decent. Windows XP was. Windows also has a superior handwriting recognition interface. Why use Linux then? It is fun to play with.