Been using a Linux laptop for my daily web stuff (email, financials, etc.). Considering switching to a Pixel tablet for that stuff plus it'd be a lot more portable.

Anyone switched from a laptop or desktop as your daily driver and if so, any regrets?

I should add that moving to the Graphene OS for added security is part of the decision as a benefit.

    Speeduser7533 Anyone switched from a laptop or desktop as your daily driver and if so, any regrets?

    I did, now doing almost all personal stuff on Pixel Tablet and occasionally iPad with the goal of phasing out iPad use and only use Pixel Tablet. The UX is not as good as on a laptop but I get most things done like email, finances, taxes, stuff for kids school, etc.

      I want to do this super bad, but I don't know if I should wait for a Pixel Tablet 2 to come out with potentially 7 years of support to come out and a better processor.

        popsicle1954 Would be great if Tablet 2 happens this year but it's not confirmed yet so may potentially be a long wait.

        I bought a pixel tablet this week with that same goal in mind. So far I'm happy while I'm configuring my GrapheneOS environment on it, what I miss the most is to have DisplayPort to be able to use multiple displays.

        I was also convinced to wait for the pixel tablet 2, but I found a good deal and I can be happy with it for several years.

        • Edited

        I want to want to, but I need to use an iPad for work, so I already have to cart that around with me. I use a Qubes laptop for life stuff, GrapheneOS on a p8 for browsing and main driver of things. Alongside the ipads I need for work I need to use Macs and an iPhone too. I also have a synology server. I may explode with another system in the chain 😂

        • [deleted]

        I am using the Pixel Tablet, switched from a Debian notebook.
        Works for me. A lot more convenient on both physical and hardware side.

        If you need to work with spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel works quite well on Pixel Tablet, unlike all other alternatives I tried.

        I am intrigued by the Pixel Tablet with GOS setup for personal computing. My 2017 iPad Pro is starting to show its age, so I'm starting to consider its replacement. And I'm loving my Pixel phone with GOS, so I'm inclined for getting the Pixel Tablet with GOS.

        I have a couple of questions regarding the pixel tablet thought:

        • how is the idle battery life? With my iPad, i could leave it on, idle for 4 days and still have plenty of battery left. I assume that won't be the case with any android-based tablet?
        • how is the accessory ecosystem? I love my iPad's magnetic screen cover + stand (folio case I believe it was called) and my magnetic screen cover +stand + keyboard (folio keyboard I believe it was called). They don't add much bulk or weight and I can remove and attach them effortlessly. I haven't found any comparable solutions for the pixel tablet.

          brightjob4495 I am not too concerned about the battery life because my Pixel Tablet lives on a dock charging.

          Unlike iPad, there are no native accessories for Pixel Tablet, I just use a dock + cover + screen protector + USB hub + USB keyboard + mouse. It works alright but certainly not as good UX as an iPad.

          I use my pixel tablet for most things now, like web browsing, writing, note taking, emails, music, etc... I have a Windows laptop which I'm trying to phase out but still need it for a couple of applications that don't work on Android. Battery life is good, I can get a few days out of it before it needs charging. I do wish it had more dedicated accessories. I have a 3rd party Bluetooth keyboard and mouse which aren't very streamline when it comes to portability but it works. All in all, I'd recommend it cause I'm very happy with it. It's literally like having a larger version of my pixel 8.

          5 days later

          evalda

          I've been thinking about buying one since its release but I keep having doubts that this tablet is capable of replacing a laptop.

          Can you write what your setup is?
          What applications do you use on a daily basis?
          Which mouse and keyboard?

            One issue I noticed using the Pixel Tablet is that there is no local folder sync with cloud services. I have Proton Drive and I can't just pick a local folder to sync automatically. You'll have to use a 3rd party tool like Syncthing, but for that to work you still need another device like a Windows PC.

              AttemptUndertook if you don't lock Proton Drive with biometrics/pin, it should appear as a location on any files app. Then all you have to do is ask it to make files/folders available offline and you should be done. You can lock PD again when you don't need the files anymore.

              Or Cryptomator. Or I hear you can use rclone in Android now.

                mogacy-nadproza0m Can you write what your setup is?
                What applications do you use on a daily basis?
                Which mouse and keyboard?

                I have Pixel Tablet standing on the dock (for charging) and, most of the time, connected to a USB 2.0 hub where a keyboard and a mouse are plugged in. HP business keyboard and a simple HP mouse, both wired USB. Every morning I find the tablet in BFU state, after the auto-reboot feature triggered at night. I unplug it from USB hub and the dock, unlock, then plug the USB hub first and then place on the dock. The order of these steps is important since USB accessories won't work if the tablet is already docked. Once you connect the accessories, the tablet can be docked and the accessories will continue to work. It's a bit cumbersome but I quickly got used to this morning routine and it doesn't bother me anymore.

                The apps I use most often on the tablet are:

                • FairEmail (with OpenKeychain)
                • Etar calendar (with EteSync and DAVx5)
                • Microsoft Office apps (e.g. Excel)
                • Acrobat
                • Standard Notes
                • Bitwarden

                I also have a printer / scanner connected to the same local network which I often use to print and scan documents.

                Let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to elaborate.

                  evalda slightly off topic but which app do you use for scanning?
                  I will need a similar setup within the next couple off months.
                  I was eager to wait for a pixel tablet 2 but since they re-released the first gen without any hints. I think I should take the next step.
                  Currently I use secure blue on a laptop but I think GOS is far superior than any hardened Linux...

                    r3tr0 I use the app from the printer manufacturer - Brother iPrint and Scan. It's not the best quality scanning but good enough for most of my tasks.

                    r3tr0 slightly off topic but which app do you use for scanning?

                    @r3tr0 - I use Genius Scan and it works really well. I save it to a local folder and then upload it to my Proton Drive from the files app.

                    Hb1hf if you don't lock Proton Drive with biometrics/pin, it should appear as a location on any files app. Then all you have to do is ask it to make files/folders available offline and you should be done. You can lock PD again when you don't need the files anymore.

                    @Hb1hf - This works as you described, but I cannot easily save files. For example, if I open a Proton Drive word doc from the Files app with Collabora Office, I can make edits, but I cannot save back to Proton Drive. I would have to save a separate copy in a local drive, reupload that to Proton Drive, and replace the existing file. This is a clunky workflow for me.

                    On a phone, if I have to make edits in a pinch, this is fine, but not on my productivity focused daily driver device.

                    I got a bit frustrated with certain aspects, and somewhat 'dropped the ball' on moving from my Linux laptop to the Pixel Tablet. I have used it more for online surfing and such. I recently put in a great deal of time preparing a 50+ page report, and the efficiency aspects kept me on laptop.

                    I suppose I need to make a more concerted effort - I BELIEVE in the concept, but just now had to navigate around for a correction which would have been slower on the tablet. I do like the idea of using the built-in hub, I did not realize that would still allow USB goodies. I don't think I ever did it in the order evalda noted.

                      evalda
                      Thank you very much for your reply.

                      I'm wondering what speaks to the benefit of using a tablet? A tablet has much less capabilities than a Linux laptop as DrJack60 writes about.
                      It seems to me that the only advantage is portability and hand operation.

                      Correct me if I am wrong.