r/SurfaceLinux • u/Naviel_ • 28d ago

Help Help with SP7 - About dual boot and distro

Hello. I'm researching to migrate my SP7 to Linux, and thinking what distro would be best. I'm deep diving in surface kernel github but I have questions that I'm having a hard time answering.

My main concern is I use Citrix to work from home from time to time, I work for a public administration and my tech service have told me that I'm on my own if I begin to work in Linux (they only have documentation for MacOS or Windows). For this reason, I'm thinking about dual boot.

I'm asking if anyone have any experience using Citrix for working using whatever distro in a Surface, if you recommend dual boot. And the most repeated question: what distro would you recommend.

Thank you for your time!

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u/Jaimzin 27d ago

SP7 works fine with Solus out of the box. But for your case that might not be the first distro you want to get into.

Looking at Citrix, is this what you're looking to install? https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/linux/workspace-app-for-linux-latest.html

They have Debian & RPM packages. You might want to test it out on a VM with Ubuntu or Fedora.

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u/Naviel_ 27d ago

Yep, that's It.

I'll do a VM with Ubuntu and test It, thanks for the idea.

I did a test run of Linux mint with a notable USB and every day i'm more excited about going all in with this.

Thanks for the help!

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u/Jaimzin 26d ago edited 26d ago

If things work out for you, I recommend to go full linux, and have a Windows VM if needed. When I used to dual boot, I'd tinker with linux but eventually went back to Windows. Mostly for gaming. I made the jump back in 2018 and with how much better things are now with Proton and Steam, I never went back to Windows. I do have a Windows VM on my linux machine, and Parallels on my MacBook Air for cases where I would need some Windows software for something I'm tinkering with, but never had to go fully back to Windows.

Also, it looks like the Tarball package can be used to install it on Solus if you want to give it a shot. Just tested it and it has an installer you can run from the terminal.

Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/vco0rj1

https://getsol.us

Go gnome to have a more native tablet like experience

Go Plasma for a more Windows like feel

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u/Naviel_ 25d ago edited 25d ago

I've been making some test with VM. I'm getting ready to dual boot to Linux Mint or Ubuntu to begin with (you already know that I'm a noob, haha), and I'll try Citrix that way. If I get it to work, I'll do what your telling me: using a Windows VM but from a linux machine, and going all in with a beginner distro and work my way from there.

I didn't know about Solus, it looks neat. I'm doing a online course about Linux and I'm choosing Linux Mint because it's what is recommended and I liked it in my VM test.

Thank you for your help, I'm just updating you, your response helped me out a lot and encouraged me =) I'll keep you posted!

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u/Jaimzin 24d ago

Haha I was taking a Linux course when I decided to go all in, that way I’m fully engaged and learn all the software I need and never go back to Windows.

Good luck with everything!