Linux on Surface Pro? Yes, You Can Do It!

Linux on Surface Pro

One of the juiciest: Surface Pro is able to run other operating systems than the default Windows 8. Like other Windows 8 machines, you can access BIOS settings and turn off secure boot, enabling you to load other OSes. Linux on Surface Pro is possible!
Linux on Surface RT is not possible, or at least not easy, because Microsoft has used the UEFI Secure Boot system to lock down the firmware and only allowed signed binaries (applications) to run. It can’t be turned off, and while it is a security measure to ensure malicious software cannot run and damage your machine or steal your data, it can also be an anti-competitive tactic to stymie operating system competition. But installing Linux on Surface Pro is possible.  The Spanish free software development group Hispalinux have filed a complain to the European Commission hoping that at least they could force Microsoft to stop blocking other OS installations Windows 8 pre installed devices! Learn all about this secure boot problem and How To Choose The Best Notebook to Buy from our previous post.
However, Microsoft has obviously decided that the “Pro” part of “Surface Pro” is actually meaningful, not just a marketing designation, and has provided the ability for enthusiasts to fiddle, potentially damage or even brick, but ultimately customize their devices exactly how they see fit. This mean, you can install Linux on Surface Pro.
Which, of course, is another point of differentiation from a particular well-known fruity mobile device vendor that is currently leading the tablet charts.