Linux on Atom based devices

[Anonymous]

My son & I are looking real hard at the Chuwi 12″ multi-OS tablet.

Do I correctly discern from this thread & those linked that the internal WiFi is not working in Linux, yet?

Would an external USB WiFi (with a Linux-friendly chipset) be a good temporary kludge?

I prefer Puppy Linux but Linux Mint or another Linux would be fine – booted from USB makes sense.

I can save portable data to a micro-SD.

Thanks for all you all share here!

[BBaker]

Anonymous wrote:

Bradley, If I understand correctly, the problem with the ARM-based devices is that apps will have to be ported. Ubuntu may lead that process but how locked-in to Ubuntu for ported apps one may be (like Apple) as a result I don’t know. I’m a long-time Linux user. Every new dependency adds points of potential failure & often code-bloat. IMHO, YMMV …

No, I don’t think that is correct.  Apps are written to the OS and other higher level API/interfaces, they usually are not specific to the underlying hardware.  The OS and device-drivers (display, networking, disks, etc.) are the layer in between which makes this possible.  There are already LOTS of ARM-based devices running Linux and run many of the apps just fine.  Low cost ARM based TV boxes running the KODI media player is a good example.

[BBaker]

Anonymous wrote:

My son & I are looking real hard at the Chuwi 12″ multi-OS tablet. Do I correctly discern from this thread & those linked that the internal WiFi is not working in Linux, yet? Would an external USB WiFi (with a Linux-friendly chipset) be a good temporary kludge? I prefer Puppy Linux but Linux Mint or another Linux would be fine – booted from USB makes sense. I can save portable data to a micro-SD. Thanks for all you all share here!

Wifi does work but not out-of-the-box… not from a fresh install. You have to patch some things as @destry showed in his posts above – see here.

Ask @destry maybe he can recommend a USB wifi NIC.

[BBaker]

Good deal on an Atom TV box (mini pc) with Ubuntu 14.04 pre-loaded. http://techtablets.com/forum/topic/90-ubuntu-mini-pc-with-2gb-ram-64gb-atom-z3735f/

[Anonymous]

OK, I get that, so that unless app-specific drivers are involved – somewhat frequent in many of my apps, it may be a non-issue.

[BBaker]

Anonymous wrote:

OK, I get that, so that unless app-specific drivers are involved – somewhat frequent in many of my apps, it may be a non-issue.

Which apps and drivers?  I’m just curious.

[Anonymous]

Generally in Amateur Radio-related apps, e.g. SDR, radio control & programming, etc.

I’ve faced challenges there and also with addressing cameras and printers from within apps.

Linux has come a long ways toward addressing a lot of that – but manufacturers in coordination with rival OS providers often create driver-barriers & refuse to cooperate with volunteer coders to make data available for Linux drivers. It has often been costly, frustrating, & time-wasting.

[Destry]

Anonymous wrote:

My son & I are looking real hard at the Chuwi 12″ multi-OS tablet.

Do I correctly discern from this thread & those linked that the internal WiFi is not working in Linux, yet?

Would an external USB WiFi (with a Linux-friendly chipset) be a good temporary kludge?

I prefer Puppy Linux but Linux Mint or another Linux would be fine – booted from USB makes sense.

I can save portable data to a micro-SD.

Thanks for all you all share here!

David~
I suggest you read through this thread before you decide to alter that Hi12 you want to get. https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=223426
I rushed testing Mint on my Hi12 and now wish I would have spent more time researching the point of replacing the Win10 installation instead of wiping the whole solid state drive. I do like Android and having that option to use it. I purchased a second Hi12 to keep it stock for now until all bugs are worked out of using Linux on it.
I posted the procedure to get wifi working on Chuwi tablets with LM in this post http://techtablets.com/forum/topic/linux-on-atom-based-devices/page/11/#post-42603
Doesn’t work perfectly, but it does work. I am sure the drivers will be perfected soon.

BBaker wrote:

Wifi does work but not out-of-the-box… not from a fresh install. You have to patch some things as @destry showed in his posts above – see here.

Ask @destry maybe he can recommend a USB wifi NIC.

I Have this wifi usb adapter and a big EDUP dual antenna stand alone usb cord unit. and both are plug and play with Linux. No drivers to mess with. Everything from EDUP is Linux friendly plug and play.

EP-N1557 802.11n 300Mbps Mini USB Wireless Adapter
http://www.edupdriver.com/edup-ep-n1557-mini-wireless-wifi-usb-network-802-11ngb-lan-adapter/

Also purchased this unit for the sound as it looks like the drivers for the sound may be a little ways out. It is plug and play also.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XExternal+USB+2.0+3D+Virtual+7.1+Channel+Audio+Sound+Card+Adapter+for+PC+Laptop+.TRS0&_nkw=External+USB+2.0+3D+Virtual+7.1+Channel+Audio+Sound+Card+Adapter+for+PC+Laptop+&_sacat=0

Linux Mint on my Chuwi Hi12

[Anonymous]

Thanks Destry!

That is very encouraging!

Thanks for the link to the USB WiFi device.

FYI: Many of the links along the right side bring up a 404 error.

I could not see details of the wired WiFi with the large antenna.

EDIT: You did inspire me to look around & though I didn’t find the wired EDUP I did find this interesting device:

https://www.amazon.com/Netis-WF2561-Wireless-Supports-Antennas/dp/B00T2TXJFI

It, or something like it, would be good to have even when the internal Chuwi WiFi nic is working 100% – I often run into weak connections in hotels & elsewhere.

[Destry]

I just installed Linux Mint KDE 17.3 64bit on my Hi12 and installed the wifi patch. Works really good! Fast and very responsive. Going to install the touch screen patch shortly after the updates finish.

Linux Mint on my Chuwi Hi12

[Anonymous]

Awesome!

[Destry]

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks Destry!

That is very encouraging!

Thanks for the link to the USB WiFi device.

FYI: Many of the links along the right side bring up a 404 error.

I could not see details of the wired WiFi with the large antenna.

EDIT: You did inspire me to look around & though I didn’t find the wired EDUP I did find this interesting device:

https://www.amazon.com/Netis-WF2561-Wireless-Supports-Antennas/dp/B00T2TXJFI

It, or something like it, would be good to have even when the internal Chuwi WiFi nic is working 100% – I often run into weak connections in hotels & elsewhere.

Here is my big unit: http://www.edupdriver.com/edup-ep-ms1552-300mbps-wireless-network-card-with-double-antenna-and-wi-fi-adapter-usb-lan-adapter/

Linux Mint on my Chuwi Hi12

[BBaker]

Destry wrote:

I just installed Linux Mint KDE 17.3 64bit on my Hi12 and installed the wifi patch. Works really good! Fast and very responsive. Going to install the touch screen patch shortly after the updates finish.

Is that not also true for the other lightweight distro’s?… Linux Mint Mate (17.3 / 18) and Xfce 17.3

[Anonymous]

Destry wrote:

I just installed Linux Mint KDE 17.3 64bit on my Hi12 and installed the wifi patch. Works really good! Fast and very responsive. Going to install the touch screen patch shortly after the updates finish.

I just noticed that you had bee using Linux Mint 18 but here you refer to the KDE 17.3 version.

Is there a reason for the rollback, please?

I’m considering moving my wife’s laptop to Linux Mint – for her ease of use.

(I’ve been running somewhat minimalist versions of Puppy due to older hardware but the interface can be challenging for her. She’s not interested in the geeky side of things.)

I see 4 versions of 17.3 (Cinnamon, MATE, KDE, & xfce) but only 2 for version 18.

I’d like to parallel the versions I have to support here at home!

Is your plan to move your Chuwi Hi12 to Mint 18 – or stay with 17.3 KDE for a while?

I intend to parallel my setup with your successful efforts.

Thanks!

[Destry]

BBaker wrote:

Is that not also true for the other lightweight distro’s?… Linux Mint Mate (17.3 / 18) and Xfce 17.3

I am sure it would be the same with the other distro’s as well.

inxi -Fxz shows the sound card identified and shows the network as unidentified though wifi is working.

Linux Mint on my Chuwi Hi12

[Author]

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