this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
531 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

1257 readers
54 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 5 years ago
MODERATORS
top 37 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] twolate@discuss.tchncs.de 68 points 1 year ago (2 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 21 points 1 year 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.

[–] lauha@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago

They do have a generic MPP active pen as a configuration option though

[–] Treedav@lemmy.one 36 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] RockyC@lemm.ee 33 points 1 year 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.

[–] dona1dquixote@lemm.ee 21 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Twashe@lemmy.ml 15 points 1 year ago

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

[–] RotatingParts@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 year 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.

[–] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 12 points 1 year ago (2 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?

[–] Shareni@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If only there was another group of touch first devices, preferably with even smaller screens, oh wait...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_for_mobile_devices

[–] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I know I could just use Android or ChromeOS. But there's a reason why I prefer Linux.

[–] Shareni@programming.dev 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You haven't read the list to the end, have you?

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] theshatterstone54@feddit.uk 12 points 1 year ago (1 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.

[–] Madex@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

I mean what high processing thing could you do on a tablet?

[–] jernej@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago

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

[–] socsa@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

Damn this might be an easy buy for $600

[–] lvl@kbin.social 7 points 1 year 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.

[–] SgtThunderC_nt@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 year ago

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

[–] autotldr@lemmings.world 6 points 1 year 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!

[–] darkfiremp3 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] iturnedintoanewt@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

They are using older/more affordable chipsets

[–] SaintWacko@midwest.social 4 points 1 year ago

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

[–] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] gianni@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

FWIW this thing is nowhere near as powerful as a modern iPad. Different universes.

[–] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 3 points 1 year ago

True - but hell all I ever do with mine is watch videos and browse the web anyway...

Waste of an M1 processor honestly

[–] SnipingNinja@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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

[–] Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 year ago

I think the issue with devices like this is that apps simply aren't optimized for use like this.

I have a Surface. Barely used it as a tablet really, there aren't a ton of uses and Windows in tablet mode is just awful.

With the keyboard it turns into a neat and portable mini laptop, which I love.

The Starlite seems neat, but with the current specs it feels like not quite a tablet yet not quite a laptop either.

[–] smileyhead@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 year ago

Would be great for a plane!

[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Carter@feddit.uk 3 points 1 year 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 8 points 1 year ago (1 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.

[–] WetBeardHairs@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I am really disappointed it isn't running on an ARM processor.

[–] terminhell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.

[–] Laitinlok@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago

Coreboot too

[–] CCatMan@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

I was thinking to get a beelink with the n100, but this couls be a more interesting choice... Hmm..

[–] Laitinlok@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago