Linux on the Surface Go — Conclusion after a few weeks

No commands, no tables, no debugging. This article is the retrospective — how does it all feel in real everyday life, now that the dust has settled.

What the device has become

The Surface Go is exactly what I wanted it to be: an ultraportable, long-running tablet that’s suitable without compromise for browsing, journaling, note-taking, and light coding tasks. Linux runs surprisingly well on the hardware — switching from the stock Ubuntu kernel to the linux-surface kernel was the decisive step, and after that the system quickly felt like a finished product.

The biggest surprise

Performance. The Pentium Gold 4415Y is not a powerhouse, but Linux gets significantly more out of it than Windows did most recently. The system starts quickly, apps open fast, and everyday use never feels sluggish. Anyone who had the device running under Windows 11 with all the hacks knows how different it can feel.

What still needs relearning

Linux is not Windows — that sounds obvious, but it shows up in small moments. The classic: when is it Ctrl+C and when Ctrl+Shift+C? When Ctrl+V and when Ctrl+Shift+V? Different rules apply in the terminal than in the rest of the system, and muscle memory takes a while to internalize that. Not a real problem — but an honest heads-up for anyone coming fresh from Windows.

Has it replaced Windows?

For this device completely — yes. In my broader everyday life, I still have Windows machines, but the transition feels closer than it did before this project. The Surface Go worked as a test balloon to show exactly what I wanted to know: Linux as a desktop system is mature enough to be seriously considered, even for someone who has previously worked mainly with Raspberry Pis and servers.

Would I recommend it?

Yes — but with a clear caveat: just trying it out costs nothing. With a Ventoy stick and an Ubuntu ISO, you can boot the live system and test the hardware without installing anything or taking any risks. That’s exactly what live mode is for. If you still feel like continuing after that, you’ll find all the necessary steps in this series.

For someone with Raspberry Pi experience, the learning curve is manageable. The terminal is familiar, installing packages is familiar, and GNOME as a desktop is largely self-explanatory. The biggest difference isn’t the technology — it’s the willingness to relearn a few ingrained habits.

The Surface Go runs. And it’s fun.