its probably easier to debug the issues you currently have, than dealing with the suckness of imparative package management

if the hardware is not working with the linux kernel, its bad hardware

gnome not opening the keyboard when i focus an input, has nothing to do with the hardware

idk about op, but if i asked about a good linux tablet, i would mean the hardware not the software

for me a good linux tablet means i can take my favorite linux distro, install it without big hassle and have a good performing computer with all components working afterwards

while good performing can be interpretable

nix like in nixos?

three solutions:

• enable flatpak and install it from there
• package it
• ask me to package it

Nixpkgs is actually one of the most up to date software repositories. (~90% according to repology)

You may be using a release channel which will only be updated for important security updates.

https://nixos.wiki/wiki/Nix_channels