Hey there folx, I’m getting ready to go back to school and I was curious of any distro that have good pen support. The basic use see is likely just reading studies and being able to highlight in the PDF.
I’m looking at either a new framework12 or trying to find a surface to meet these needs. Likely won’t be until next year I’m in school so I have time to tinker and troubleshoot.
Okay, so I haven’t seen anyone else mention this, but using Linux on a Surface requires a custom kernel and knowledge about how to install Linux with a nonstandard kernel. see the
linux-surfaceproject on github for more info. I recently had the displeasure of installing raspian on a Surface RT. Which is another beast that I absolutely do not recommend to anyone.Otherwise, your best bet is a framework or a lenovo.
As for the DE, even though I love KDE and mainly use it these days, the extra padding on GNOME makes that DE probably more suited to touch. At least the interface looks very touch-centric
For the most part it is about the DE and not the distro.
In my experience KDE is the best compromise between touch usable but not touch first.
Maybe try ZorinOS! I’ve used it for a bit on a Laptop with a touchscreen and it performed reasonably well. Didn’t get to try it for very long because I gave that laptop to my parents, but they’re still using it with no complaints so far :0
Me personally I am using a Lenovo Yoga 370 (don’t know what an update to date comparable model from Lenovo would be) with GNOME as DE. For PDF annotations I mainly use Xournal++, which works quite well for annotating PDF’s and highlighting certain parts. You can get more information in the Xournal++ Documentation at https://xournalpp.github.io/guide/pdfs/
I was reading some on Xournal++, it seems that the nightly build which has some more PDF capabilities is exactly what I’m looking for.
Like others have said, it’s mostly about the DE, with Plasma and GNOME being the front runners. As much as I love it, but steer clear of Cinnamon DE. It’s developed with desktop use in mind, and no fun if you use it through touch.
This is more of a desktop environment thing than a distro-specific thing. If I recall correctly, both KDE Plasma and GNOME both have touchscreen support. Pretty much every, single distro offers one, the other, or both. So I’d just look for one who’s marketing to your usecase and try it out.
Super helpful, thanks!
I’m using EndeavourOS with Plasma on a Thinkpad L13 Yoga G4. A recent update fixed the ACPI message SW_TABLET_MODE, so now the device automatically disables the keyboard after a couple seconds of being flipped, and plasma switches to tablet mode automatically. From there, everything works with zero problems. I use it to take notes in uni and switch often from normal laptop work to tablet mode for note taking.
I didn’t notice exactly when it was fixed, but since I bought it and until some time ago there was a problem with I think an I2C device that prevented the switch, and I had to use a set of cobbled together scripts to manually do it
do you use a stylus? what is the input lag when writing like?
This sounds exactly like my use case as well.
I also like to read papers for shits and giggles so being able to highlight important parts, annotate (either by hand or type) will be great for that and school.
No significant input lag, i use Xournal++ and in one semester for a single course i tend to make a single file of 120+ pages.
I use the integrated pen, which also slots into the chassis to recharge, but other pens that use the same wacom protocol also work, i use an HP one alongside the integrated one from time to time
If you want good Linux support avoid the Surface at all costs. Holy shit is it a pain to deal with. Yeah there’s Linux Surface, but do you really want to go through that trouble just to get it mostly fully functional?
lol okay thanks for the warning
I’ve used Plasma via Fedora Kinoite and it works great. Flipping the 2in1 screen over disables the keyboard automatically and the touchscreen just works fine. Recently Plasma made nice changes to their on screen keyboard. Also, pressure sensitive pens worked perfectly as long as the note taking program utilized that function.
Awesome, thanks for the info. what device have you been using?
It’s a Dell Inspiron 2 in 1. Quite nice actually. All metal, fingerprint reader works, 16:10, and other small things that add up to it being overall an enjoyable laptop
How accurate is the pen? I’ve read that a lot of devices that use an active pen like MPP based styluses have wobbly lines, even if you literally use a physical ruler.
I prefer gnome with dash to panel, just think it by default is more suited for touch screens, use it on my handheld with touch.
Just one of many extensions, and I use the tweak/tuning apps, gnome is a hassle or fun to set up depending on what kind of person you are. KDE you just hop in and customize so it is easier to setup.
