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StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

us.starlabs.systems

71–80 of 347 posts

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#71
post #21

Somewhat related - will we ever see linux on old iPads? Old iPads can't get updated anymore, they can't easily browse the web, apps can't get updated or reinstalled... Basically recycle material or dust catchers. I'd like to jail break or whatever my old iPads and have them as simple linux tablets.

Would love to see it, but my guess would be only if there's ever regulation to force Apple to allow it under climate concerns or right to repair type policy.

I think there’s a reasonable argument that manufacturers should be required to open up hardware when they no longer support it. The problem is I doubt that would achieve what most people here seem to expect fur older devices.

You might be able to run a really basic Linux on the older devices, but their very limited RAM will severely constrain what you can run on them.

The native OS is so optimised for the hardware, trying to get better performance, or even matching power consumption on generic Linux is just not realistic.

Frankly other than for hobbyist purposes the last version of the native OS is probably as functional as they’re likely to get.

Having said all that, more recent iPads are powerful machines that are likely to still be very capable fur as long as they will run. Asahi Linux is compatible with M-series hardware.

So while think getting latest gen performance such as modern browsing out of legacy kit is a pipe dream whatever Apple did, I think there are real possibilities going forward.

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#73

Why did they have to use a micro HDMI port? Couldn't they have done dual USB-C and made one the DisplayPort output? MicroHDMI is not a very nice connector, it's a lot of pins under mechanical stress from the heavy, rigid HDMI people generally attach to it.

DisplayPort has the huge advantage of being incredibly easy to passively convert into the ultra-legacy-weird-difficult HDMI, where-as the legacy-centric-pita-gross HDMI requires active absurd adapters to turn into DisplayPort. 100% more usb-c please, with alt modes. USB4 mandates every port be able to do DisplayPort output. I really hope we start to see phones and tablets which have >1 USB port. Lenovo has an absurd…

> If we get to 2030 and phones can't plug in to GPUs something is f-ed and the system is broken, tech has ossified grossly.

Why? That’s an incredibly minor use case. If you’re expecting something this niche to become the norm then you’re destined to be disappointed.

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#74
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, it’s really a shame. I have the original iPad and the hardware remains solid. If I could have an updated browser that could display modern websites without crashing, I would still use it.

Those machines have 256 MB of RAM. Is there any way to run a modern web browser in that?

One tab at a time

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#75
post #21

Somewhat related - will we ever see linux on old iPads? Old iPads can't get updated anymore, they can't easily browse the web, apps can't get updated or reinstalled... Basically recycle material or dust catchers. I'd like to jail break or whatever my old iPads and have them as simple linux tablets.

Yeah, it’s really a shame. I have the original iPad and the hardware remains solid. If I could have an updated browser that could display modern websites without crashing, I would still use it.

Or even just as a second display

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#76
post #31

No SIM card/4g/5g. Why is the state of telecom so bad on linux?

Im curious: why would this be a Linux issue?

My personal feeling is, there are more modems that do not work under Linux than those that do. Or are detected but happen to randomly stop working during the day.

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#77
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, it’s really a shame. I have the original iPad and the hardware remains solid. If I could have an updated browser that could display modern websites without crashing, I would still use it.

Or even just as a second display

Newer macs and iPads can do this. Totally seamless… mouse moves over to the 2nd screen, etc. totally wireless.

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#78
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

DisplayPort has the huge advantage of being incredibly easy to passively convert into the ultra-legacy-weird-difficult HDMI, where-as the legacy-centric-pita-gross HDMI requires active absurd adapters to turn into DisplayPort. 100% more usb-c please, with alt modes. USB4 mandates every port be able to do DisplayPort output. I really hope we start to see phones and tablets which have >1 USB port. Lenovo has an absurd…

> If we get to 2030 and phones can't plug in to GPUs something is f-ed and the system is broken, tech has ossified grossly. Why? That’s an incredibly minor use case. If you’re expecting something this niche to become the norm then you’re destined to be disappointed.

We had USB 3 with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in September 2013. It is now almost a decade. If rumors are true, Samsung will announce a USB 4 (thunderbolt 3) phone before the end of 2024. I agree with the grandparent. While most people don't care too much for eGPU (?), I'm sure if we let people innovate, good things will come.

My dream is much smaller. I just want whatever hardware circuitry is required to accomplish the scenario where a phone that is plugged in to a good power source runs directly from the wall, shutting off battery charge completely, not trickle charging all day and night.

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#79
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, it’s really a shame. I have the original iPad and the hardware remains solid. If I could have an updated browser that could display modern websites without crashing, I would still use it.

Those machines have 256 MB of RAM. Is there any way to run a modern web browser in that?

lite.cnn.com

Re: StarLite 12.5-inch Linux tablet

#80
post #21

Somewhat related - will we ever see linux on old iPads? Old iPads can't get updated anymore, they can't easily browse the web, apps can't get updated or reinstalled... Basically recycle material or dust catchers. I'd like to jail break or whatever my old iPads and have them as simple linux tablets.

Yeah, it’s really a shame. I have the original iPad and the hardware remains solid. If I could have an updated browser that could display modern websites without crashing, I would still use it.

Another option is to create more progressive enhancement websites which work with such devices.

Giving older devices new life is part of the reason I started developing my framework.

For example, the websites linked in my profile are backwards compatible all the way to Netscape 3.0, while still supporting more modern features like in-place updating vote counters and adding dialogs to a page without reloading it.

And LLM use will only make this type of website easier to build, once you can ask, for example, "operator, please ensure the website markup is compatible with my particular device, which is an iPad 2 running iOS 6.0."

I think we're about to experience an amazing renaissance of the Web, with sites and services which bend over backwards to accommodate each particular user, device, and abilities combination, rather than telling the long tail to fuck off.

And I think it's the right way to go. Each device-user deserves to be catered to and supported, the same way we support wheelchairs and baby strollers with elevators and ramps, even though they're less than 1% of the traffic.

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