Can Ubuntu run on Windows 8 tablet PCs and convertibles? (Dell XPS 12)

Question

I was looking at some laptop/tablet hybrids, and I came across the Dell XPS 12 (with an Intel CPU). It looked like a nice Ultrabook convertible, but (obviously) it runs Windows 8. Can Ubuntu run on any Ultrabook convertibles?

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Feb 21 '14 at 17:56

2

For the Surface, it's a definitive "no" for now. This is because Microsoft locked down their tablet (the ARM version anyway, not sure about the x86 one) so that no other OS can be installed (though, I'd give it some time before some people find a way).

Here's an article on the secure boot:

edited Feb 21 '14 at 17:56

Olli

9,129

answered Oct 28 '12 at 01:10

Spice

606

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 28 '12 at 00:59

1

I can't think of any reason that it shouldn't be able to. If the hardware meets the minimum requirements, there should be no problem. I'm not sure to what extent Ubuntu supports touch controls, though. So, you might want to install it alongside 8.

answered Oct 28 '12 at 00:59

Evan Pak

160

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 13 '12 at 21:58

Strictly speaking, yes, it's possible.

Linux can run on ARM, x86-64, and several other microarchitectures.

With the right configuration and formatting, it's very possible to install and boot from Ubuntu on a Windows 8 made tablet.

I was considering providing a series of tutorials and articles for how to get Linux-based distros to boot on different hardware and microarchitecture platforms, etc.

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 08 '14 at 16:06

Yes it can be installed. I've installed it on Lenovo Helix.

Unfortunately few drawbacks in Ubuntu 14.04: - Touch is supported, but there is no software keyboard - so you cannot type anything in, when undocking from hardware keyboard. - No screen rotation support

All other things works well (at least for Helix)

Can Ubuntu run on Windows 8 tablet PCs and convertibles? (Dell XPS 12)

4 Answers4