I see a lot of people on the Fediverse talking about getting off the Apple and Microsoft trains. But, I don’t see alternatives ever suggested. So, what are the non-Apple/Microsoft alternatives for laptop, tablet, and phone (I’m assuming Google is also a baddie)?
@dan in the states you have System76 that makes Linux native computer hardware. Many in Europe, Star Labs, Tuxedo jump to mind.
The phone side is very much still in progress. The tablets are a bit easier to source but still limited. Laptop Computers and desktop computers, you’re completely spoiled for choice.
@dan Looks like for mobile/tablet your only real options are to buy an Android device and then install a Linux distro. Here's a list of such things:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-smartphone-operating-systems/
The Mozilla Foundation had released a Firefox-based mobile OS called FirefoxOS, but it never caught on with OEMs, and it quietly disappeared about nine years ago.
@dan Unfortunately yes. It's much easier on the desktop.
With mobile, you mostly have vendor lock-in to blame. Installing a new OS on a mobile device is no small task, because those devices are heavily locked-down to prevent unauthorized modification of the OS by backdoors and viruses; and no vendor wants to offer an OS they have not personally vetted for security. They won't devote the $$$ to doing so unless there will be significant consumer demand. It's a vicious cycle.
@dan @ossobuffo
case of $multi billion corps vs almost $0
those corps running predatory practices, as proven by various court cases
@Mtt interesting. I am Mac only too. I love the experience. It is one of those things that I see people talking about all the time with little to no alternatives.
@drose I switched over to a Fairphone 4 from Murena running eOS and keeping all google services off of it. It has its quirks but it gets the job done. I think eOS now supports tablets. At home I use a System76 desktop running PopOS, which is Linux.
@dan@agora.cafe If you ignore the news of recent times, er years, google is still one of the good guys
And if you don't close your eyes, you'll stumble across articles recommending Linux every now and then 😉
@dan for phone and tablet OS, Ubuntu Touch offers a slightly more user friendly installer app for reflashing supported Android devices, as well as can be ordered preinstalled for phones and tablet by Volla. There is also now starting support for VoLTE for some of the devices, which is required for calling in USA. https://ubports.com
@dan - another good option for phone is the Furilabs FLX1, which has a fork of Droidian pre-installed, so works right out of the box. https://furilabs.com/shop/flx1/
@TotalSonic @linmob @dan @spaceraser @ossobuffo There's plenty of people using the #Librem5 as their only phone so I don't think this is a valid statement. Looking at the #Librem5 and #ShotOnLibrem5 should give some ideas what people are doing with it.
@agx @linmob @dan @spaceraser @ossobuffo - "plenty of people" that have abandoned it as well. It works possibly as an outdated dev kit, but it does not function as an acceptable daily driver for those whose expectations are shaped by even old Android and iOS devices.
@dan super niche, and not 100% gracefully accepted in the community, but this company sells and maintains a linux phone that is absolutely useable for mere mortals. Alas, they have sold out of their first batch of phones, and batch 2 is taking some time.
I'm a really happy customer, can highly recommend. However, I don't expect this to hit anywhere near the mainstream.
(ps posted from my flx1)
