Zorin 12.4 or 12.3 compatibility with Surface Pro 3

I need to know if Zorin is going to work 100% with a Surface Pro 3. I don't have the Surface Pro 3 with me, or else I would find out.

Googling I come across this thread which is from 2015:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9398
which points to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXuYg5P4EHo

The youtube link talks about Ubuntu 15.04 codenamed 'Vivid Vervet'. Zorin 12.3 and 12.4 both use codename 'Xenial' which is Ubuntu 16.04. Now which version of xenial does it use? I'm not sure. The link talks about using a different kernel.

I found this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDKNZf0NCPY
Which talks about using another kernel again called 'linux-image-4.4.0-rc8touchkernel+'. Zorin 12.4 uses Kernel 4.15.0-30-generic, which is a newer kernel than 4.4 according to this page: https://www.kernel.org/
Zorin 12.3 uses kernel 4.15.0.29-generic.

So.. my assumption is... Surface Pro 3 will work just fine with 12.4 and 12.3. Can anyone confirm this?

The only sure way to do this would be to download 12.4 to live USB and follow the advice given in that YouTube video, in particular using USB hub for mouse, keyboard and USB drive. You will need to disable EFI as per video. Please bear in mind that 15.04 was a development release of Ubuntu, not an LTS (Long Term Support) release. You may want to consider installing to an external hard drive for dual boot purposes and use NeoSmart EasyBCD to access Zorin on external drive. I don't have the desire to purchase any hardware that has Windows pre-installed. I would prefer to purchase a dedicated notebook designed for GNU/Linux such as Entroware, Zareason, System 76, or Think Penguin.

Hi

yes you can but
* I would suggest you follow the advice of Swarfendor437
* and await the next release of Zorin OS to come this month

cheers

Thank you guys for your replies I appreciate it.

@Swarfendor437, why wouldn't you let grub handle the dual boot? I'm guessing maybe because Zorin has issues with the surface?

So Zorin doesn't support Surface 3 Pro just yet. Thank you guys for your replies, I will take your advice and use a different distro. If I get lucky, maybe the new version of Zorin will come out before I get to work on the surface. btw, great job on this distro, Zorin is a super solid distro.

One last question for you gentlemen, If I made a backup of Zorin in 12.3, will that backup work for the soon to come version of Zorin? All I did was copy only the directories needed. The backup I made works on different hardware just fine.

Hi, It's not that GRUB can't handle it it's more Windows would not allow it. I advise you watch the Matthew Moore video. As for 12.3 it will not be possible to upgrade to the new release due to a major rewrite of the OS.

Awesome, I will watch that video. I'm guessing your talking about this video right?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlTgaWs9BD0

Thanks for the update I appreciate it. Keep up the good work guys, this OS rocks!!