Cheap tablet + Linux?

I need to give users a device I can remote control and log into their accounts and administer.

I started off thinking of using a Rasberry Pi - not sure if that has enough power.

Now... I'm thinking of using a tablet and installing Linux - whatever works - not too fussed - just need a browser.

Has anyone else installed Linux on cheap tablets?
I thought I'd ask - maybe it's not well supported or doesn't work well or runs mega slow and is unusable and has other restrictions?

Thanks.

If you've been thinking about the Raspberry Pi but the power issue is affecting your decision, why don't you consider the MintBox Mini 2 (shipping soon):

https://fit-iot.com/web/products/mbm2/

However, in saying that, your post confuses me a little. There is a significant difference between a Raspberry Pi and a tablet in terms of mobility (the greatest of these differences being that the latter comes with a built-in screen). So what is it exactly that you're trying to do here?

i need to access a browser and login into clients accounts and administer.
i don't need anything else.

i'm going to try raspberry pi lite + run just the browser on my end and see how usable that is.

tablet: maybe less in terms of hardware even... but i know i can have a browser + zillions of tabs open.

1. need to remotely access over the net securely. the client should be responsible for turning on - but not much else like login or launch some other program to allow remote control (not tech savvy clients).

2. i need to be able to run a browser.

that's all!

MBM2 looks just so awesome

Any inexpensive mobile device - laptop, tablet, Raspberry Pi, or consider slightly used or "refurbished" devices, and there are many choices possible that could cost under $200 and do a good job.

Take a look around; there are a lot of choices if you investigate and look for deals. Most often I buy equipment that goes on sale at the end of production or just after a replacement model is released. Add to this a refurbished replacement and the prices become very reasonable, regardless of which type of product is chosen.

Ive been looking at tablets that I would use to view sheet music... anybody have any recommendations for an affordable tablet?

Originally Posted by Bryansom Ive been looking at tablets that I would use to view sheet music... anybody have any recommendations for an affordable tablet?

i'm sure you can find an affordable model, but you should look around the web how others installed linux on it, before deciding to buy it for that purpose.
some seem to work well, others not.
some seem to require a lot of work to install linux, others just a little.

Yep, a pre used netbook/laptop would work, fairly cheap to buy, just install a basic O/S with Xorg & browser of choice, or just run a small live distro on it.

Check out Tiny Core & SliTaz, can't get much smaller, & be useful.

Both of those can load to ram, so laptop processor speed wouldn't be a worry, & you wouldn't even need a hard drive.

^ is it running gnu/linux?

I'm not sure I'd deploy a tablet with linux. Can be done but there isn't a lot of support for tablets in linux. User experience is reported to be less than desired. There are some issues with how the Atom based tables act in bios and some of the hardware still.

Even a PI with all parts isn't super cheap.

I'd think you could get a refurb somewhere that may suit desktop browsing and remote control.

https://www.androidauthority.com/ins...tphone-765408/

https://tablet.ninja/can-you-install-linux-on-a-tablet/

Originally Posted by enginestar I need to give users a device I can remote control and log into their accounts and administer. I started off thinking of using a Rasberry Pi - not sure if that has enough power. Now... I'm thinking of using a tablet and installing Linux - whatever works - not too fussed - just need a browser. Has anyone else installed Linux on cheap tablets? I thought I'd ask - maybe it's not well supported or doesn't work well or runs mega slow and is unusable and has other restrictions? Thanks.

I buy equipment that goes on sale at the end of production or just after a replacement model is released. Add to this a refurbished replacement and the prices become very reasonable, regardless of which type of product is chosen.