Hi there good people,
I am wondering whether I can get Windows completely replaced by some Linux distro e.g. KDE Plasma mobile or similar.
So my question is: does everything work under Linux?
Besides the regular stuff (screen, CPU, GPU, SSD, audio), do the touchscreen and the stylus digitiser work well? Any chances on making cameras work as well?
Also, what’s the battery life? Any tips on improving it?
Thanks,
Which unit are you using? Make and model? These units were not designed for Linux but, Linux can be install. I’m using a Hi10-Max with Linux Mint. Everything works except the camera(s).
Not using anything at the moment, I am asking so that I can make a decision on purchasing one. 
How’s the battery life?
I’ve had no problem with the battery. In Linux Mint I use it for about 1/2 the day before I need to plug it in (maybe 4 to 5 hours). The only thing that doesn’t work are the internal cameras. Its super fast with the N100 and DDR5. Rotation and key board work. I can even change keyboard light color and it has 3 settings for the brightness. For the webcam, I purchased one from Amazon and it works. The actual cameras on the Max aren’t that great therefore I wouldn’t use them if they did work. Very happy with this tablet as a Linux daily driver. Oh, I should mention, the screen output is 3k. Great for streaming movies and with Wifi 6 no lagging. I am currently replacing all of our laptops (6) with the max. No more regular laptops.
Thanks for your answer, Brian.
I really don’t get what’s the issue with the cameras. If a USB-attached camera works, why wouldn’t an internal camera work as well?! AFAIK they are also attached on the USB bus, so I don’t get it.
What would we have to do to make them work?
Also, I don’t see anyone answering about the stylus pen – does it work under Linux, and how well i.e. precision, pressure levels, palm rejection etc.?
Hi Brian, you said:
works. How? With my unit it doesn’t. Did you install something special to get it to work?
Thanks,
BTW most of everything works under Fedora KDE Plasma: stylus, audio, graphics, CPU, touchscreen, keyboard, brightness, power management, auto-sleep when keyboard is closed, …
Only two things that I know of which don’t work are the usual culprits: the MIPI cameras and now auto-rotation.
An update for anyone interested in Linux support on the CHUWI Hi10 Max:
I managed to get the internal front GC5035 camera working on my Hi10 Max under Linux.
Tested configuration:
The camera is published as a normal system camera through PipeWire, WebRTC and V4L2. I tested it successfully in Firefox, Zoom, Telegram and Webcamoid. It supports selectable resolutions from 320x240 up to 2560x1920 at 30 fps.
The repository also contains an optional rotation helper for the screen, touchscreen and pen.
The rear GC8034 camera is not supported yet. N100 models, other board revisions and other Linux distributions have not been tested.
Release and installation instructions:
This is currently a release candidate, so reports from other CW129-6 owners would be very useful.
Well, I wanted to give you some feedback, but I have kernel 7.1.8 and the installer refuses to run. Any fix?