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

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Remember back in the early 2000s when the netbook took the world by storm? I certainly do, and I remember being seriously underwhelmed. Not only were the devices underpowered, but they were so small that using them was a chore. Those keyboards were impossible unless you had tiny hands.

So when X-Plus reached out to me to review the Storm 10 laptop, I begrudgingly accepted, assuming this would be yet another tiny laptop that was impossible to use with any efficiency.

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I received the laptop and saw that it shipped with Windows 11, which meant it would take a good hour until I could actually log in and start testing. Because of that, I often install Linux over Windows 11. I know Linux better, and I know that it takes roughly 5 minutes to install the operating system and log in for the first time.

Prior to getting rid of Windows 11, I decided to give it a try, so I’d have something for comparison. As I suspected, running Windows 11 on the Storm 10 didn’t really show the laptop in the best light. It was sluggish and cumbersome to use.

After a few weeks of using Windows 11 on the Storm 10, I opted to install Ultramarine Linux and KDE Plasma as the only OS.

I’m glad I did.  

Also: 8 things you can do with Linux that you can’t do with MacOS or Windows

My experience

The first thing that caught my attention was that everything worked with Linux: the display, networking, sound, trackpad, Bluetooth, you name itit worked. The only hiccup I had was deleting the encrypted partition, but that was solved with the help of the KDE Plasma partition manager. Once that was taken care of, the installation went off without a hitch.

I could now use this baby with a more efficient and user-friendly OS: Linux. 

Also: The best Linux distros for beginners in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Windows so easy

As far as hardware is concerned, the thing I like the most about the Storm 10 is that the keyboard doesn’t feel nearly as cramped or awkward as a lot of laptops this size. In fact, I’m writing this review on the laptop, and my fingers are having no trouble keeping up with my brain. The keys have a nice, solid feel, and the layout feels optimized. 

I’d go so far as to say that this is the best keyboard I’ve used on such a small device.

The display is also quite nice. It’s certainly not going to beat anything by Apple, but it does its job and does it well. KDE Plasma looks great on the laptop. I opted to go with a light MacOS theme for KDE Plasma, and it’s quite nice.

Performance

As far as performance is concerned, I ran my usual test of installing the Ollama local AI, pulling the llama3.2 LLM, and then running the query: “What is Linux?”

First off, Ollama3.2 is a 2GB LLM, and I was shocked at how fast the Storm 10 pulled it. Less than 60 seconds, and I was running the LLM and making the query.

Also: This app makes using Ollama local AI on MacOS devices so easy

Once I ran the query, I wasn’t surprised that the Storm 10 wasn’t able to perform as well as some other machines I’ve tested, but for a 10-inch laptop, it did very well, taking less than 30 seconds for Ollama to fully answer it. I’ve had full-blown desktop machines take more time than that. 

Sound and video

I’m not gonna lie: the sound from the Storm 10 is pretty tinny, but I didn’t expect much more than that. The good news is that it’s plenty loud and the laptop includes a headphone jack, so if you have a quality pair of headphones, the built-in speakers won’t matter.

As far as video? I watched several YouTube videos and found the Storm 10 to be perfectly up to the task. No, it’s nowhere near the quality on my MacBook Pro, but when you’re staring at a 10″ screen, having exquisite 4K resolution isn’t a make-or-break issue. I did switch to 4K on several videos, and the Storm 10 did just fine.

Also: This Mac model is the computer most people should buy (and it’s not a MacBook or Mini)

Battery

As you’ve probably expected, the battery on the Storm 10 isn’t exactly an all-day affair. I ran a moderate battery profile, and even with Ollama running, the battery did fine. It’s not going to last me nearly as long as my MacBook Pro, but I’m not going to be using this laptop as extensively.

The battery is a 3800mAh battery with a suggested run time of 8 hours with a full charge. Of course, that depends on how you use the laptop. If I were to keep using Ollama, the battery life would be cut down dramatically.

Physical form 

The Storm 10 chassis is an aluminum affair that feels slightly plasticky. It does, however, have a 360-degree flip touchscreen, which is really nice. The hinges are also nice and tight, so you can open the laptop lid all the way without worrying it’s going to collapse on you.

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ZDNET’s buying advice

If you’re on the hunt for a tiny laptop that won’t challenge your fingers, has enough power for average tasks, and allows you to run Linux seamlessly, the X Plus Storm 10 is a great option.

It’s currently on sale for only $369, and I would say that it’s worth every penny for those who are constantly on the go and don’t always have space for a full-sized laptop. It’s also a really good option as a gift for the younger ones in your orbit who are looking at owning their first laptop.

X Plus Storm 10 laptop tech specs

• Display: 10.5-inch IPS Touchscreen (1920×1200 resolution).
• Processor (CPU): Intel N150 (older) or Intel N305 (newer, better performance).
• Memory (RAM): 16GB DDR5 (soldered, not upgradeable).
• Storage (SSD): 512GB PCIe3.0 M.2 SSD (potentially upgradeable).
• Graphics (GPU): Integrated Intel GPU.
• Operating System: Windows 11.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C (supports Power Delivery charging).
• Design: 2-in-1 convertible, aluminum body, chiclet keyboard, trackpad.
• Battery: Around 26.6Wh (approx. 8 hours battery life claim)