Android hardware
At this point, I feel that Chromebooks are non-starters. Either Android or Linux (Debian) are the proper OSes of choice, and decent hardware that can support these platforms.
We have moved to Samsung devices from Xiaomi, which has much more intrusive application spam, advertising, and tracking. We still use Mi Band and Mi Band Pro devices, and the unfortunate Mi Fitness app. However, Samsung is a decent compromise between features, price, and software sludge.
Current Hardware
- Samsung A24 w/ Android 15 One UI 7.0
- Samsung M14 w/ Android 13 One UI Core 5.1
- Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 (3gb/32gb) (limitation on Android version, but otherwise a servicable 8" tablet)
- w/ LinneageOS 9 (Android 9); MIUI 10.3.2 (Android 8.1)
Suggested Hardware
A nice upgrade for tablet is the 11" Samsung Galaxy A9+ 8/128. This also supports an attached keyboard option.
Note: all of the hardware above have headphone jacks, and so are not waterproof.
Samsung experience modifications
Samsung has some crappy interface decisions, some of which can be obviated by specific tools, launcher, icons.
- Good Lock, Fine Lock, Quick Star, Home Up
- Nova Launcher
- LineX White icons
App Stores
The Google Play store is an abomination, and makes me regret using it every... single... time. Thankfully there are some apps that one can use Obtanium and Droidify to install and manage.
- Obtanium
- Droidify (installed and updated through Obtanium)
- Syncthing-Fork 2.x
- Vivaldi Snaps
- ANeko (cat)
- Conversations (Codeberg) Note that this version does not support the Google Push feature, and will need the Google Play version of the app to support as such.