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Thoughts on compiling a custom Android x86 build.
  • Hi everyone,

    Recently I have come into possession of several Dell Latitude ST tablets. These are a 10 inch touch screen tablet that was originally sold with Windows 7 as the OS. The specs are fairly modest, 1.5Ghz single core atom processor, 2GB ram, 32GB SSD, built in pen digitizer/touch screen.

    With Windows 7 on them they will barely move fast enough to get out of their own way.

    I've installed the latest daily build of Lubuntu which recognizes all the hardware and gives me touch and pen support. http://www.lubuntu.net/

    There are a few oddities encountered such as with the wireless card as documented here, http://www.mogilowski.net/lang/en-us/2012/02/15/install-ubuntu-on-dell-latitude-st-tablet/

    Lubuntu with it's relatively lightweight LXDE desktop runs rather well on these tablets but I'm interested in having an experience more properly designed for the touch interface.

    So I've come across the android x86 project, http://www.android-x86.org/

    I'm thinking it might be possible, since I can tell what driver packages I need via Lubuntu which is already installed, to compile a custom build with the drivers that I need for my device.

    Does anyone have any experience with compiling a custom Android x86 build? I've only just started reading so I'm sure I have LOTS to learn.

    I'm also a fan of giving older hardware a renewed lease on life.

    Right now my dear wife is using one of the latitude ST's with Lubuntu to check her email and browse the web while chasing the kids around the house.

    Peace, Josh

  • 2 Replies sorted by
  • Something tells me that Android won't be more speedy than Windows.

    Did you tried Windows 8.1 ?

    Single core is not really cool, but by idea it must work more speedy than android. I mean here mostly touch oriented apps.

  • @jpbturbo Just do it. Sorry I don't have expertise on that but curious.