Hello, I recently installed Debian on my desktop computer, an I was amazed by how fast and flexible that old windows machine became.

I'm currently looking for a good tablet computer, but I'm getting a bit confused about all the choices, and most of the tablets are either really old or not released yet, an iPad, or using Android (which has a linux kernel, I know).

Does anyone know if there are any tablets out there that run on Debian or Ubuntu or that can be modified to do so?

Most Android tablets can run Debian or Ubuntu.

If you install Debian on a tablet, is it easy enough to revert back to Android if you need to?

They don't replace Android. The same kernel is running, just with a different userspace.

Is it possible to completely replace the OS on android tablets? (So not running with Android side-by-side) Does that require jailbreaking?

Most? Like which ones, and which ones would be good choices?

All tablets have customized kernels for the hardware. Creating a new kernel for each tablet is not practical at this time; in a few generations of hardware there will be enough standardization. Until then, you can only run with the existing Android. No 'jailbreaking' is required, but root is needed and a requisite. Google for a root solution for the tablet(s) you're interested in.

If you click through to the Google Play page, you can go to the developer's web sites for requirements and tested devices.

If you say "root", do you mean like the root user?

You run as the root user on Android normally, but without superuser authority. You need a kernel that enables superuser authority, and the Superuser utility.

Well, Android does seem the way to go then, thanks a lot.

Later this year it looks like the Vivaldi (former Spark) tablet will hit the streets - it features the KDE Plasma Active UX on a bed of Mer (MeeGo 1.2).

Lots of talk with nothing said. First of all Android tablets are slow, worthless, and weak! Got that! If you want to play with locked in toys that will take half your life time to get running half assed, go ahead. 99.55% of all the tablets out there run about 256 meg, of ram with 2-4 gig internal storage at about 1 to 1.5 gighz. That is the high end. Maybe great for Android, but not good for Linux. Worse yet are all the trash like Flytouch, or Epad, etc. running android 1.9_88 on an ARM6 processor at 500 mhz. What junkkkkkkk! Can you root it? Yeah, big deal. You can only run the apps that are available for it. Ooohh! I have root!, Yeah, you have rooted crap. Bottom line folks, these manufacturers are nickel and dime-ing us to death. I will not buy any tablet that will not run a viable OS such as LINUX. Forget MS Windows 8. You might as well carry a 10 pound tablet with all that is required by that bloat. Arm processors belong in Ken and Barbi dolls, not computer equipment. I will take my 7" and 10" rooted tablets to the gun range tomorrow. I am sick and tired of wasting my money and time on this trash.

Master Rod

I can't tell if you're trying to be a troll or what. You clearly have no idea what tablets are capable of.

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Troll no. Realist sure. I know what they are capable of. Unless you have an Asus Prime quad core tablet running Android 3.0 or 4.0, what do you have? I mean, really? You have a dual core running at 1 gighz. That simply means you can run two apps slow. If you have an ARM processor with 256 meg ram at 800 mhz you ain't a going nowhere fast. Most apps are weak unless you pay for the pro-edition. Even then, I would still rather use Linux.......

Master Rod

I kinda know where Rod is coming from with that statement being a Texas resident myself.

While my wife wishes a Tablet and I'll probably buy her one eventually. Till then she is a Happy Camper with This which I will be happy to take off of her hands and run AntiX on it.

I am neither pro or con on tablets. My big hands have a hard time on my EEEPCs.
I know tablets are a big thing with younger computer aficionados.
I had high hopes for this unit.

It would have fit Rods expectations I think for a decent price.

Check out tablets based on Meego - linux

Evolve III Maestro Atom Z670 Oak Trail tablet
WeTab 11.6-inch, Atom N450 tablet

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