Windows to Go And Linux run on Surface Pro 3 !!

Hi there

Just tested loading up a Windows to Go system on the surface pro -- works fine (enable legacy boot-- i.e switch off protected boot. UEFI or non UEFI systems boot just fine.

Tested also with Opensuse rel 13.1 -- also runs fine -- BACK UP your device first though. I might keep LINUX on it and run Windows as a VM -- surface pro 3 really runs at LIGHTNING speed (i7 with 256GB SSD).

Whoever said this device couldn't replace a laptop -- and with the docking station I might actually retire a desktop to "Server" duties only.

Video on Surface pro 3 is magnificent - better than the 768 X 1366 usually seen on laptops -- even on a smaller screen (11 ins) the difference is clear and I like the format a lot - if you use excel etc it's a lot better than the standard 16:9 type of displays.

The on screen keyboard works when using Windows as a VM -- - however as a test it's great. - I'll restore the standard system again before going in to work on Monday - very please windows to go runs on it flawlessly. I use that a lot at work/.

Cheers
jimbo

It was exciting to read your message. I have a couple questions:

1) What distros did you install?
2) Were you able to get the keyboard to work under Linux?
3) Were you able to get full functionality of the touch screen?
4) Were you able to get Bluetooth up?
5) Most importantly, did you try a hypervisor and run Win 8 as a VM? If so, how was its functionality and speed?
6) Are there instructions anywhere to follow to help guide through the processes?

I am looking forward to hearing more.

Thank you.

Hi there

Answers So far -- although I've been a bit busy of late -- BEFORE STARTING BACK UP THE OS. !!!!!

I'm running the NON protected boot (but UEFI) version of LINUX OPENSUSE 13.1 - 64 bit version. Here's the answers so far to your questions.

1) OPENSUSE 13.1 (KDE desktop) used mainly - I got Linux Mint (KDE desktop) to boot but haven't tested it - I prefer OPENSUSE.

2) On screen keyboard Keyboard - never used it on Linux - always use an external keyboard. I need to find a touch screen keyboard app on Linux to be able to test it.

3) Touch screen seems to work fine on OPENSUSE 13.1 - Launches apps by touch, Menu dropdowns work when touching them, screen re-sizes.

4) Bluetooth is just fine - Linux has had Bluetooth support for AGES.

5) I run the VM's on VMWARE workstation (Linux version) rather than using a Hypervisor - remember I'm running LINUX as HOST and WINDOWS as the VM !!

(On the Windows VM - full touch screen and Touch keyboard capability - HOST OPENSUSE 13.1 KDE, Guest Windows 8.1 update 1 plus latest updates for Surface pro 3).

Used VMWARE WORKSTATION (Linux version) to run W8 VM -- keyboard and touch worked fine as a VM

(Also works on the FREE VMWARE VMPLAYER).

I can't say I've done exhaustive Touch tests as I'm not really a "Touch screen" big user - even in Tablet mode I'll use an external keyboard - but for playing a movie etc you can launch your app from the Linux (or Windows) system via touch - works fine.

I'm not sure what the touch applications do in other Linux distros but I'm quite happy with OPENSUSE 13.1 - install the updates too.

BACKUP system BEFORE installing -- I'd start from the OPENSUSE KDE LIVE Distro - you can boot from a USB and test before installing.

6) You can also make a PORTABLE system which includes a Windows VM - with an external SSD and the i7 processor this works magnificently and you don't have to TOUCH anything that's already installed on your SP3. You will need to disable the protected boot though.

Follow this thread - I recommend you try this method first before actually doing a REAL LINUX install on your SP3 -- but I can't repeat this enough - TAKE BACKUPS BEFORE DOING ANYTHING WITH YOUR SP3 (or ANY COMPUTER in fact).

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html


BTW with a docking station and large external monitor the SP3 can easily replace any typical laptop -- the SP3 is expensive but if you compare with a decent top of the range laptop it isn't overwhelmingly so and the form factor is ideal if you use planes a lot and travel like me.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo,

Thank you for the detailed response. Last winter, you had asked about Xen on SP3. Have you attempted that or seen others do it?

Hi there

I found the VMWARE solution actually quite sufficient for me so I've rather ignored XEN. With the i7 I'm not short of CPU power and I know I have 100% compatibility when running Windows VM's. I'll probably get round to trying at some stage but I've been delighted with the performance I have already so not much incentive to tinker much more --I'll leave that to others to have a go with.

Cheers
jimbo

jumbo,

Thank you. That' useful info.