I converted this tiny laptop into a Linux work machine, and it shouldn’t work this well

ZDNET’s key takeaways

The X Plus Storm 10 laptop computer is obtainable on the X+ official web site for $369.
The Storm 10 laptop computer is small in dimension however massive on energy.
It has restricted battery energy and has a really mild bodily construct.

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Bear in mind again within the early 2000s when the netbook took the world by storm? I actually do, and I keep in mind being significantly underwhelmed. Not solely have been the gadgets underpowered, however they have been so small that utilizing them was a chore. These keyboards have been unattainable until you had tiny fingers.

So when X-Plus reached out to me to evaluate the Storm 10 laptop computer, I begrudgingly accepted, assuming this is able to be one more tiny laptop computer that was unattainable to make use of with any effectivity.

Additionally: I lastly discovered a mini PC with a placing design (and the facility to again it up)

I obtained the laptop computer and noticed that it shipped with Home windows 11, which meant it could take hour till I may truly log in and begin testing. Due to that, I typically set up Linux over Home windows 11. I do know Linux higher, and I do know that it takes roughly 5 minutes to put in the working system and log in for the primary time.

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Previous to eliminating Home windows 11, I made a decision to present it a attempt, so I might have one thing for comparability. As I suspected, working Home windows 11 on the Storm 10 did not actually present the laptop computer in the most effective mild. It was sluggish and cumbersome to make use of.

After a couple of weeks of utilizing Home windows 11 on the Storm 10, I opted to put in Ultramarine Linux and KDE Plasma as the one OS.

I am glad I did.

Additionally: 8 issues you are able to do with Linux which you could’t do with MacOS or Home windows

My expertise

The very first thing that caught my consideration was that all the things labored with Linux: the show, networking, sound, trackpad, Bluetooth, you identify itit labored. The one hiccup I had was deleting the encrypted partition, however that was solved with the assistance of the KDE Plasma partition supervisor. As soon as that was taken care of, the set up went off with out a hitch.

I may now use this child with a extra environment friendly and user-friendly OS: Linux.

Additionally: One of the best Linux distros for inexperienced persons in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Home windows really easy

So far as {hardware} is worried, the factor I like essentially the most in regards to the Storm 10 is that the keyboard does not really feel practically as cramped or awkward as loads of laptops this dimension. In reality, I am penning this evaluate on the laptop computer, and my fingers are having no bother maintaining with my mind. The keys have a pleasant, stable really feel, and the format feels optimized.

I might go as far as to say that that is the most effective keyboard I’ve used on such a small gadget.

The show can also be fairly good. It is actually not going to beat something by Apple, however it does its job and does it properly. KDE Plasma appears nice on the laptop computer. I opted to go together with a light-weight MacOS theme for KDE Plasma, and it is fairly good.

Efficiency

So far as efficiency is worried, I ran my traditional check of putting in the Ollama native AI, pulling the llama3.2 LLM, after which working the question: “What’s Linux?”

First off, Ollama3.2 is a 2GB LLM, and I used to be shocked at how briskly the Storm 10 pulled it. Lower than 60 seconds, and I used to be working the LLM and making the question.

Additionally: This app makes utilizing Ollama native AI on MacOS gadgets really easy

As soon as I ran the question, I wasn’t shocked that the Storm 10 wasn’t in a position to carry out in addition to another machines I’ve examined, however for a 10-inch laptop computer, it did very properly, taking lower than 30 seconds for Ollama to completely reply it. I’ve had full-blown desktop machines take extra time than that.

The X Plus Storm 10 laptop. — You’ll be able to shut the Storm 10 so it features like a pill.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Sound and video

I am not gonna lie: the sound from the Storm 10 is fairly tinny, however I did not anticipate way more than that. The excellent news is that it is loads loud and the laptop computer features a headphone jack, so you probably have a high quality pair of headphones, the built-in audio system will not matter.

So far as video? I watched a number of YouTube movies and located the Storm 10 to be completely as much as the duty. No, it is nowhere close to the standard on my MacBook Professional, however if you’re gazing a ten” display, having beautiful 4K decision is not a make-or-break situation. I did swap to 4K on a number of movies, and the Storm 10 did simply advantageous.

Additionally: This Mac mannequin is the pc most individuals should purchase (and it isn’t a MacBook or Mini)

Battery

As you’ve got most likely anticipated, the battery on the Storm 10 is not precisely an all-day affair. I ran a reasonable battery profile, and even with Ollama working, the battery did advantageous. It is not going to final me practically so long as my MacBook Professional, however I am not going to be utilizing this laptop computer as extensively.

The battery is a 3800mAh battery with a recommended run time of 8 hours with a full cost. In fact, that is dependent upon how you utilize the laptop computer. If I have been to maintain utilizing Ollama, the battery life can be minimize down dramatically.

Bodily type

The Storm 10 chassis is an aluminum affair that feels barely plasticky. It does, nevertheless, have a 360-degree flip touchscreen, which is very nice. The hinges are additionally good and tight, so you’ll be able to open the laptop computer lid all the best way with out worrying it’ll collapse on you.

Additionally: I am a vinyl fanatic, however this digital streaming app made me get pleasure from wi-fi audio simply as a lot

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

For those who’re on the hunt for a tiny laptop computer that will not problem your fingers, has sufficient energy for common duties, and lets you run Linux seamlessly, the X Plus Storm 10 is a good choice.

It is presently on sale for under $369, and I’d say that it is price each penny for individuals who are consistently on the go and do not all the time have area for a full-sized laptop computer. It is also a extremely good choice as a present for the youthful ones in your orbit who’re proudly owning their first laptop computer.