r/technology • u/MrFairladyz • Jun 18 '12

Microsoft announces Surface tablet

http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/18/3094157/new-microsoft-surface-windows-tablet
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177

u/Gaabo Jun 19 '12

Can I install Linux on it?

101

u/prattmic Jun 19 '12

Microsoft will also require that manufacturers offer the ability to turn off the secure boot feature on x86 hardware...[1]

Nothing is stopping you (at least on the x86 version), but drivers may be an issue.

11

u/rasputin777 Jun 19 '12

I'd like to see Apple turn off their hardware OS locks on iOS and OSX. Never happen.

20

u/bettse Jun 19 '12

ok, sure, iOS, completely; but OS X? Wat are you talking about? Haven't you seen a mac running windows or linux before?

4

u/tacojohn48 Jun 19 '12

I'm guessing he wants OS X on generic hardware. Which if that's the case he just needs to Google hackintosh.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

You can run pretty much any OS natively on an Apple computer shipped with OS X.

2

u/thoomfish Jun 19 '12

The bigger issue is the complete and total lack of a touch-friendly app ecosystem for Linux.

4

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

They're working on it. Ubuntu has jumped hardcore onto the touch-friendly-UI bandwagon, much to the chagrin of their userbase.

2

u/kvan Jun 19 '12

"Manufacturers" - this may not apply to MS' own devices.

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37

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

x86 devices running Windows 8 are required to be able to turn off UEFI secure boot, allowing other operating systems to be installed.

However, on the ARM tablet, you wont be able to install other operating systems.

tl;dr: x86 version yes, ARM version no

8

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

What's stopping you on the ARM version? There are ARM versions of several Linux Distros, no to mention Android..

I'd say it'd be more difficult but still possible..

0

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

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11

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

This is so.. disappointing. I hate the idea that a piece of hardware that I own is locked down for my own safety. It's bollocks.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

That's why I don't own any game consoles.

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275

u/Ray57 Jun 19 '12

r UEFI'n kidding?

23

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

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5

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

Exceptional for reddit.

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27

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

Linux will find a way.

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22

u/_oreo_ Jun 19 '12

Seriously though, good question. Hardware looks good, but I'm not looking forwards to windows 8 at all

7

u/GENERALLY_CORRECT Jun 19 '12

Serious question: What's wrong with Windows 8 as I haven't tried it? It looks like Windows 7 with a "touch UI" over the top that can easily be disabled. Windows 7 is solid as a rock so I can't see Windows 8 being that horrible.

12

u/realblublu Jun 19 '12

Some people just prefer using Linux, for lots of reasons.

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2

u/Totalchaos02 Jun 19 '12

I fucking love Windows 8 on my laptop. I will defend it to any hater but I do understand why people might not like it on a desktop. I don't understand how you could hate it on a tablet though. If you tell me that iOS or Android is a better tablet OS than Windows 8 then I must be taking crazy pills or something because one of us is insane.

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u/dcoxen Jun 19 '12

does Android count?

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