I’m looking to acquire or set up a Wi-Fi only tablet that is focused on privacy. I’ve been starting to do some research among the potential OS options and I wanted to ask this community whether it is better to go with LineageOS or /e/ OS for it, or potentially another option. I’ve tried additional software on other devices that at least help make them more private, but I really want to set something up that is truly private using a tablet.
Edit: I’m also considering Pixel Tablet + GrapheneOS
Starlabs has the Starlite which runs linux. You could use a distro with Plasma Mobile and get the tablet experience you are looking for.
Theres a Pinetab 2.
While de-Google’d, /e/ is a fork of LineageOS that is often VERY out of sync from the security updates AOSP offers, and it puts your device at risk of being easily compromised and tracked. It is not a safe bet as a ROM. I would highly recommend against it if you had to choose between the two. Go with LineageOS, as it is closely downstream from AOSP patches.
If you have a Pixel tablet? GrapheneOS over LineageOS.
If not, and those are your options so far: LineageOS.
Noted, thank you for that insight.
I’m going to consider the Pixel Tablet and GrapheneOS as well.
fyi: this community is dominated by graphene enthusiasts so ymmv here.
Yes, but there is a good reason for that.
I see.
the version of privacy expressed here is geared towards well resourced actors like state governments who have inexhaustible armies of experts; which is arguably the highest gold standard when it comes to privacy.
if you understand that you’re hopelessly outmatched by the american or isreali governments no matter what you do, then privacy takes on a more practical meaning. as in, you understand that you’re millions of times more likely to have your privacy violated by actors like advertisers or local police and this where there’s room for debate between graphene and lineage and i get that from de-googleing communities like this one
im an employed security professional, grapheneos is the way
No experience personally with Lineage or eOS on a tablet, but if you end up with a tablet that doesn’t have official support from either, I can vouch for the LeOS GSI (generic system image). Minimalist and with all pings to Google servers stripped out.
That said, updates can be hit or miss with the GSI. The gold standard is still the Pixel Tablet with GrapheneOS, no fuss with complicated install and update methods.
I’m really happy with /e/OS and Niagara launcher.
Edit: I’m also considering Pixel Tablet + GrapheneOS
There ya go, that’s the way to do it.
Funny thing, I have the exact set up you’re looking to build. I’ve got a Samsung Galaxy S5E Wi-Fi Tablet with LineageOS installed, and it works like a charm!
I’ve had the tablet for a couple of years, and it is starting to show its age a bit with the hardware. And I think there’s a lack of codecs in the more recent OS updates that have prevented me from playing higher than 2K quality for videos on YouTube or Stremio, but it gets the job done!
