What's the best tablet to install Linux on? I am looking for something affordable (under $200) and light just to use a PDF reader with MEGA sync.
You might be better off getting an Android tablet and installing Linux on top of Android.
Do you know if this is possible in Onyx line of ereaders ?
It's usually pretty easy to find secondhand Microsoft Surface devices for that price point (check craigslist, FB marketplace, and the like), and they absolutely rock when using a Gnome-based distro (like Fedora).
There's a great project that works on Linux compatibility for Surface devices, you can check it out here: https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Supported-Devices-and-Features#feature-matrix
Just make sure about what you're getting yourself into: features such as IR facial detection and stylus input isn't supported on all models OOTB by the surface kernel. Also, it is a bit messy with how surface handles booting.
Linux on surface works (I got Ubuntu on both my Go gen 1 and pro 7) but expect to put in time to tinker and manage unexpected issues.
I've not used that tablet, but I have a Star Labs laptop and it's an excellent bit of kit. Would heartily recommend them as a company.
Can't vouch for the Star Lite tablet specifically, though.
I have tried with a couple myself and come to the conclusion that right now you're probably better off buying an android tablet, putting a de-googled version of android on it and running termux if you need Linux on it
Can I be ridiculous here and say that a nook e-reader or kobo e-reader, and a steamdeck would suffice?
Maybe just a kobo?
I know it's not Linux and that's what you asked for, but at the end of 2022 when I looked into this I had a hard time finding Linux tablet with a good UX.
What would you need the Steam Deck for?
E-reader sounds like good advice though, unless they really need colour (e.g. are planning to mainly read comics). MEGA sync probably won't work, but Pocket might be good enough?
Kobo's are basically Linux, and have quite a few customisation options.
I had reasoning for the steam deck when I wrote that but I'm struggling to recall why. There was some niche with Linux for it since it has good support for Linux applications but I can't remember how I thought it would fit
Anyhow nook and especially kobo are solid.
android tablet have many way to run a linux user land . but most of them are still using downstream android kernel. which means you wont get any 3d acceleration in your "linux" environment. so i would suggest you some sbc based tablet or some chromebook (then install linux on it manually)
If the main thing is PDF reading, buy an Android tablet. Of course research which one.
