Google seems to be pushing for Linux on Chromebooks with Crostini and I was excited with the idea of having a tablet that can spin up Linux on the go when Lenovo launched the Ideapad Duet earlier this year. Unfortunately couldn't get one as it's not released in my region and it's running on a mid range Mediatek so it's nowhere close to iPad level performance.
That's a Flatpak version of Visual Studio Code, which only works on Linux. Unfortunately, it's unmaintained and stuck on version 1.41.1 (December 2019).
Arch Linux users do have access to a fully open source version of Visual Studio Code in the community repository, which includes access to the Visual Studio Marketplace:
For what it's worth, Microsoft regularly scores 1/10 on ifixit repairability on most, if not all of their Surface products and they charge exorbitant prices for repair (or really, replacement). One of the reasons I didn't pull the trigger the Surface Pro.
And the reason I switched to a normal laptop when my Surface Pro was unusable for a couple weeks. The issue could have been solved in 30 seconds if the battery was removable. Instead even Microsoft themselves couldn't do anything because they glued it shut on all sides.
Also the power cord was thinner than cheap USB charging cables and didn't have any bend protection, quickly leading to defects. Absolutely unacceptable for a portable device and obviously intentional.
I recently switched to Firefox after being a Chrome user for the most part of my life. In the past I couldn't switch to Firefox due to a lack of alternatives for the extensions I use on Chrome (particularly Google Dictionary) but I recently use Firefox again and decided that the performance difference is worth the change. I still miss the extension options I had sometimes but I have to admit that my overall browsing experience is markedly improved on Firefox. Glad to see that my anecdotal browsing experience is backed by benchmark.
I have been using Duo almost everyday for the past 2 years, the video/audio quality of the call has always been incredible given me and my partner's lacklustre internet connections and it does seem like Google is actively developing it. Having used alternatives like Hangout and WhatsApp, they really don't come close so I am surprised with the low adoption rate, at least within my circle of friends and family. I don't think Google will kill it given how actively they are working on it but I wouldn't be surprised too if they do, I'll probably have a hard time finding a replacement as good.
