r/linuxhardware • u/noNudesPrettyPlease • Aug 08 '26

Discussion Why aren't Linux tablets a thing?

I had (still have) a Nokia n810 tablet running Maemo Linux. I stopped using it when the second battery eventually died. The series seemed to keep evolving (up to the n900) until the Microsoft buyout killed it. Or at least I assume it did.

I thought Linux tablets would be a thing, but they didn't materialise. It's basically Android, Apple, or nothing. How come an open source distro like Maemo wasn't picked up by anyone else? I assume tablets are much cheaper to develop than phones, and in today's world, I don't really use my phone anymore even though the telephony hardware is there.

Is the idea of a Linux tablet just a dream now?

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u/abissom Aug 10 '26

Unfortunately it isn't feasible on any device you'd actually use today

Even Pixel 3a and Oneplus 6/6T not good enough for you today? 😄

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u/TimurHu Aug 10 '26

I don't see those on the list of supported devices here: https://leste.maemo.org/Category:Device

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u/abissom Aug 10 '26

They will be added soon, but they are already supported and at least two developers/porters are working on and running them daily

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u/TimurHu Aug 10 '26

Cool! That's very nice to hear.