That is also my dream, iPads Pro are very expensive but the hardware is so good (that is including the Magic Keyboard).
BTW OP, have you ever tried a hybrid Chromebook tablet like Lenovo Duet 3? This is my favorite device for travel exactly because it is so good as a small Linux machine. Crostini fits the "I want to run a Linux VM". You can even use postmarketOS if you want an even more "traditional" Linux experience.
PostmarketOS is amazing on supported arm chromebooks. Unfortunately the newest 'community' level supported devices are all from the early 2020's and are getting a bit long in the tooth, especially when it comes to web browsing. I have a few that I throw in a bag for beach/jungle holidays - they are literal e-waste, something liberating about carrying a laptop that's worth significantly less than a decent family meal.
"Another issue is that this device is working well enough in v25.12 release, but I tried edge once (the rolling release channel) and my touchpad started to work in absolute instead of relative mode."
I (foolishly) did an apk upgrade and ran into this one - an AI fixed it for me, its caused by keyd having a too broad device mask (0000:0000) so it grabs everything including the touchpad causing havok. From my noteslop: "The fix was to patch /usr/bin/pmos-generate-cros-keymap to match the exact cros_ec keyboard ID, k:0000:0000:af5c732c, then regenerate the config and restart keyd so it no longer grabs the touchpad. "
> PostmarketOS is amazing on supported arm chromebooks.
Any tips on best models that are abundantly available used on the cheap and work well?
> I have a few that I throw in a bag for beach/jungle holidays - they are literal e-waste, something liberating about carrying a laptop that's worth significantly less than a decent family meal.
I definitely do this with a few Thinkpad 11e I have laying around from a failed project 4 years ago.
However I’d really like to switch to e-waste as what you describe would be very liberating. An e-waste Linux device with encrypted disk that you just wifi tether to phone and works fine for use old school types. I wonder how cheap they can go? How easy to flash? etc
I usually prefer cheap devices for travel, because you never know when something gets lost, broken, or stolen. This tablet fits that well, Android for the kids or for testing an app, and Linux when I need something more specific.
BTW OP, have you ever tried a hybrid Chromebook tablet like Lenovo Duet 3? This is my favorite device for travel exactly because it is so good as a small Linux machine. Crostini fits the "I want to run a Linux VM". You can even use postmarketOS if you want an even more "traditional" Linux experience.
I wrote about it here :
- https://kokada.dev/blog/my-favorite-device-is-a-chromebook/
- https://kokada.dev/blog/my-favorite-device-is-a-chromebook-w...