Microsoft Surface Pro
The Microsoft Surface Pro is a x86 tablet. Optionally are a cover with keyboard and a digitizer/stylus. The good thing about the surface is that is as handy and mobile as a tablet but has the performance (cpu, ram, ssd) and software of a x86 notebook. And you get FullHD display resolution on 27 cm.
operating systems
The cpu is amd64 and the UEFI is also 64 bit. This way only amd64 based software seems to boot.
| operating system | Version / File | Installer booting? |
|---|---|---|
| debian | debian-9.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso | true |
| devuan | devuan_jessie_1.0.0_amd64_NETINST.iso | false |
| FreeBSD | FreeBSD-11.0-RELEASE-amd64-mini-memstick.img | true |
| gentoo | install-amd64-minimal-20170629.iso | false |
| gentoo | livedvd-amd64-multilib-20160704.iso | true |
| gnewsense | gnewsense-live-4.0-amd64-gnome.iso | false |
| guixSD | guixsd-usb-install-0.13.0.x86_64-linux.xz | false |
| OpenWrt | lede-17.01.2-x86-64-combined-squashfs.img | false |
| NetBSD | 7.1 amd64 install.img | false |
| OpenBSD | 6.1 amd64 install.fs | true |
| ReactOS | 0.4.5 i386 | false |
Hardware problems
- The WiFi chip is connected via USB.
- There is only one USB2.0 connector.
- There is no Ethernet connector.
- To use use the keyboard you are forced to sit on a table. It's hard to put it on your belly like you would do with a notebook.
Tricks
UEFI
Hold volume up button while pressing the power button.
The UEFI provides only two options. En-/Disabling trusted platform module and En-/Disable SecureBoot.
USB Boot
Hold volume down button while pressing the power button.