Distro for Old Windows 7 Tablet?

[stinger608]

So, I have an old Windows 7 tablet that I'm wanting to set up for travel next spring.

I think it's an Asus something running a Atom processor.........If my memory serves me.

Can't remember what memory it has. I believe it came with Windows 7 basic 32 bit.

Now, I'm not sure if I can even get a Linux Distro to run, due to being a 32 bit system? I don't even think it will support a 64 bit OS.

What I'm wanting to do, is be able to use this tablet for booking camp sites, running a map program, checking on my emails, etc...

Is it even a possibility?

A Distro that is user friendly and GUI?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[toastem2004]

If you can verify that it has a 64-bit capable processor, I would go Chrome Flex. Its light and simple with no real fuss. The only issue may be wifi if its a less common module.
Otherwise, Ubuntu mate or ldxe (Lubuntu), but they have dropped support for 32 bit only chips, the last one being i think 19.04

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Pop os.

What Is Pop!_OS?

Thinking of stepping into the Linux world? Check out Pop!_OS.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[AnotherReader]

First, you need to determine if your processor is 32-bit only. Intel, in its infinite wisdom, chose to disable 64-bit support in many Atom SKUs despite the chip being 64-bit capable. For 32-bit support, Linux Mint Debian Edition offers 32-bit support. Another alternative would be to use Windows 10's 32 bit version.

 

[SamirD]

One of the things that would probably run pretty lean and mean on that is window 7 embedded.

 

[stinger608]

First, you need to determine if your processor is 32-bit only. Intel, in its infinite wisdom, chose to disable 64-bit support in many Atom SKUs despite the chip being 64-bit capable. For 32-bit support, Linux Mint Debian Edition offers 32-bit support. Another alternative would be to use Windows 10's 32 bit version.

I was just reading a review on the Linux Mint Debian Edition. That appears to be one of the "user friendly" distros out there.

I'm not well versed with Linux, so pretty much any distro is going to be a learning curve. LOL.

That's why I put "A Distro that is user friendly and GUI?" in the OP.

I did install Windows 10 32bit and, holy crap, it ran so stupid slow, it was almost unusable.

One of the things that would probably run pretty lean and mean on that is window 7 embedded.

Yeah, problem with that bro, is the internet. I don't want it infected or having problems with online applications.

 

[AnotherReader]

I was just reading a review on the Linux Mint Debian Edition. That appears to be one of the "user friendly" distros out there.

I'm not well versed with Linux, so pretty much any distro is going to be a learning curve. LOL.

That's why I put "A Distro that is user friendly and GUI?" in the OP.

I did install Windows 10 32bit and, holy crap, it ran so stupid slow, it was almost unusable.



Yeah, problem with that bro, is the internet. I don't want it infected or having problems with online applications.

Given the experience with Windows 10, LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) might be your best bet as it's one of the more user friendly distros out there. Firefox still supports 32 bit processors, but I'm not sure how fast your tablet will be at browsing the modern, bloated internet.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Most of the old intel cpu's are 64 capable laptop manufactures put 32 bit os on them because 64 bit would and does run like crap.

2-3gb memory is tough on any os.

 

[stinger608]

Yeah, I went and dug it up, and had a hell of a time finding the charger for it.

Probably haven't even had it fire up for about 2 years. Hopefully the batteries (tablet and keyboard) are still good.

I'm hoping that it is in fact, a 64 bit processor.

I want to say that the tablet is about 5 years old. Heck, I think I purchased it from a member on TPU in the for sale threads. Can't recall though.

But yeah, I agree @AnotherReader , I think that LMDE will probably be the best distro for user friendly and GUI use. The wife will be using it while we are driving down the road, and she for sure, is not
versed in Linux. I won't be able to use it until we stop for lunch or fuel as I'll be pulling a 32' travel trailer. LOL

 

[AnotherReader]

Run the following command in a command prompt and check the result against Intel Ark to confirm 64-bit support.

wmic cpu get name

 

[ThrashZone]

Yeah, I went and dug it up, and had a hell of a time finding the charger for it.

Probably haven't even had it fire up for about 2 years. Hopefully the batteries (tablet and keyboard) are still good.

I'm hoping that it is in fact, a 64 bit processor.

I want to say that the tablet is about 5 years old. Heck, I think I purchased it from a member on TPU in the for sale threads. Can't recall though.

But yeah, I agree @AnotherReader , I think that LMDE will probably be the best distro for user friendly and GUI use. The wife will be using it while we are driving down the road, and she for sure, is not
versed in Linux. I won't be able to use it until we stop for lunch or fuel as I'll be pulling a 32' travel trailer. LOL

Hi,
I've got a gateway M series core2duo from 2009 and it's 64 bit compatible

There is also lucid puppy

Lucid Puppy way to recover files from a non-bootable computer - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[AnotherReader]

Hi,
I've got a gateway M series core2duo from 2009 and it's 64 bit compatible

There is also lucid puppy

Lucid Puppy way to recover files from a non-bootable computer - Windows 7 Help Forums

Even the first Atom supported the 64-bit x86 instructions, but Intel disabled it in some SKUs like the N270. @stinger608 mentioned that it's a tablet and that sounds similar to one of these.

 

[stinger608]

Ah, just found what it is:
Asus T-100

Amazon.com

And, I do believe it had windows 8.1 on it. The wife and I had some really old tablets and that's the ones that were running windows 7 basic 32 bit.

So, it would appear that it is in fact a 64 bit tablet.

Yep. Atom Z3775

Intel Atom® Processor Z3775 (2M Cache, up to 2.39 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

Intel Atom® Processor Z3775 (2M Cache, up to 2.39 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies.

www.intel.com

 

[AnotherReader]

The Atom Z3775 is Bay Trail so it's much better than the original Atom. Just about any updated Linux distro should run well on it. One thing to check would be if you have a 32-bit UEFI. In that case, follow a guide like this one to install 64-bit Linux.

 

[stinger608]

So, with the fact that it is a 64 bit processor, what Linux distro would be user friendly and have a decent GUI to install on it?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Interesting I would usually just use this easy to use app

Universal USB Installer ▷ Bootable Pendrive Software (UUI)

Universal USB Installer (UUI) USB Bootable Pendrive Software. Boot from USB Windows setup installers, Live Linux ISO files, system repair tools.

pendrivelinux.com

Pop os dude

2gb memory

 

[AnotherReader]

So, with the fact that it is a 64 bit processor, what Linux distro would be user friendly and have a decent GUI to install on it?

I would still recommend LMDE, but other distros such as Pop OS and MX Linux would be ok too. Your biggest RAM hog will be the browser so something like Brave or Firefox would be recommended.

 

[toastem2004]

Since you verified that its a 64 bit cpu, you have options at least.
Still say chrome os via chrome flex is probably the best considering your stated use case as it is the simplest UI and no reason to use terminal at all. Official google chrome browser, so no possible issues for sites that browser check.
If you really want to dance with Linux, I would favor Linux mint as I found it the most "windows" like with my user base (school district of 2.5k staff, about 20 use mint and don't even know it.)

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Mint is a bit to bloated sadly.

 

[theFOoL]

To my understanding most atoms from that era are 32bit sadly especially for tablets

 

[stinger608]

To my understanding most atoms from that era are 32bit sadly especially for tablets

Um, have you read this thread at all?

It's been confirmed that the processor is a 64 bit Atom.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yeah it's more about 2gb memory is why it came with win-7 basic.

 

[stinger608]

Hi,
Yeah it's more about 2gb memory is why it came with win-7 basic.

No, the Asus Transformer T-100 came with Windows 8.1 on it. It was a 64 bit OS.

The older ones that we had, was Windows 7 basic 32 bit.

 

[SamirD]

I was just reading a review on the Linux Mint Debian Edition. That appears to be one of the "user friendly" distros out there.

I'm not well versed with Linux, so pretty much any distro is going to be a learning curve. LOL.

That's why I put "A Distro that is user friendly and GUI?" in the OP.

I did install Windows 10 32bit and, holy crap, it ran so stupid slow, it was almost unusable.



Yeah, problem with that bro, is the internet. I don't want it infected or having problems with online applications.

Windows 7 embedded comes with something called the 'enhanced write filter'. When this is active, the entire windows session is running from ram so anything in it is gone when the power is cut. It turns a pc into a toaster that always works. I've got some thin clients running this in bone stock form (not even any updates) and they still work great. Worth a shot for sure.

 

[silentbogo]

Now, I'm not sure if I can even get a Linux Distro to run, due to being a 32 bit system? I don't even think it will support a 64 bit OS.

Most of those old ASUS tablets can only run 32-bit OS, even though SoC on paper is 64-bit. My old Vivotab 8(R80T) runs on Z3740 or something, but can only run 32-bit OS due to bootloader limitations.
Mine runs Debian right now, and while I didn't do it for any particularly practical reason, it worked great "OOB". All devices are up and running, no issues with touchscreen or wifi. But in order to install it you'll need at least a USB hub, kb/mouse and a USB Ethernet adapter(WiFi won't do).
And you may also need to play with scaling, cause on mine everything is super-tiny.
I'm planning to use it as a "head" and "brain" for my 3d-printer, since this thing is more than capable of running Klipper+Mainsail along with KlipperScreen. Not sure if I'd use it as a daily driver though. Even a good-ole Mipad 1 feels much snappier on LOS.

Anyways... If you want a comfy "tablet" with "desktop" OS, you might wanna dump this idea(or at least put it on a backburner), and maybe get yourself a decent windows 10 tablet. I think something like an HP Elite X2 gen1 or gen2 can be found for under $150 nowadays. I had one awhile ago, and besides being a pretty good laptop replacement with detachable keyboard, it's also a pretty repairable device. SSD is replaceable, and there are still new replacement batteries around. Screen isn't glued, but "snapped" in frame. Plus it has a full-blown Thunderbolt port, full-size USB and even a card reader(if you don't wanna mess with SSD). Performance-wise it was good enough even for things like light image editing or simple CAD modeling. That tablet was snatched from me by a friend of mine, who really didn't want to spend near a grand on iPad Pro M1 with Apple pencil, just to draft simple things in Shapr3d. Also besides relatively affordable HP styluses you can use it with most cheap Wacom pens.