Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Microsoft might have left this 2017 Surface Book in the past, but we aren't letting premium hardware go to waste. In this video, we're taking this former flagship detachable and giving it a complete rejuvenation using NixOS. From tearing through initial installation troubleshooting and setting up the specialized `linux-surface` kernel, to testing full multitouch, Krita, and active stylus support, we see if open-source software can genuinely fix proprietary hardware. Stick around until the end to see Emily's honest reaction to the final setup!
Read my full write-up here: gardinerbryant.com/rejuvenating-a-microsoft-surface-book-w-nixos
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
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Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
-- Chapters --
00:00 The provenance of my Microsoft Surface Book
04:41 Why I chose NixOS for this rejuvination
09:00 More troubleshooting
10:42 Closing in on the real issue
11:18 Installing NixOS
13:02 Picking a desktop environment
14:53 Confirming touch input and the stylus don't work on NixOS out of the box
16:25 The post-install experience
18:23 Using the linux-surface guide
21:41 Adjusting a few settings
23:35 After compilation finished I tried the touchscreen
25:33 Trying the active stylus
26:03 Krita
27:57 Multitouch test
30:00 Web browsing test
31:14 Emily reacts to the Surface Book
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
Microsoft might have left this 2017 Surface Book in the past, but we aren't letting premium hardware go to waste. In this video, we're taking this former flagship detachable and giving it a complete rejuvenation using NixOS. From tearing through initial installation troubleshooting and setting up the specialized `linux-surface` kernel, to testing full multitouch, Krita, and active stylus support, we see if open-source software can genuinely fix proprietary hardware. Stick around until the end to see Emily's honest reaction to the final setup!
Read my full write-up here: gardinerbryant.com/rejuvenating-a-microsoft-surface-book-w-nixos
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ RackNerd Affiliate Link: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496
❯ RackNerd Virtual Private Servers: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=25
❯ RackNerd 200GB Shared Hosting: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=83
❯ RackNerd Intel Xeon Bare Metal Server: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=12
Private Email & More:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
-- Chapters --
00:00 The provenance of my Microsoft Surface Book
04:41 Why I chose NixOS for this rejuvination
09:00 More troubleshooting
10:42 Closing in on the real issue
11:18 Installing NixOS
13:02 Picking a desktop environment
14:53 Confirming touch input and the stylus don't work on NixOS out of the box
16:25 The post-install experience
18:23 Using the linux-surface guide
21:41 Adjusting a few settings
23:35 After compilation finished I tried the touchscreen
25:33 Trying the active stylus
26:03 Krita
27:57 Multitouch test
30:00 Web browsing test
31:14 Emily reacts to the Surface Book
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
