Android on an old PC laptop?

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danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#288995 5-Aug-2021 14:42

Is it a good experience?
I’ve installed Linux Ubuntu on one machine and Chrome OS (Neverware) on another machine.
Both are working well.
Keen on trying Android, but anything I should be aware of? Any limitations?
Want to use it for Minecraft/Roblox (for the kids) and IPTV.

nzkc

1572 posts

Uber Geek

#2755745 5-Aug-2021 16:37

Cant answer directly. But I'd give these a go and see how it goes: https://itsfoss.com/android-emulators-linux/

There are also plenty of SBCs that run Android reasonably well so I'd expect a laptop to cope. Where you might struggle is with an emulation layer whether you get full hardware acceleration support or not (probably not)

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2755914 5-Aug-2021 23:38

Thanks.
I followed the instructions in this link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UgKFBgcyyAo&t=541s

Runs very well.
I've had issues with three apps though:
Roblox
Sonos
Sonos Controller

Simply won't start. Crashes every time.

But other apps runs very well.

d3Xt3r

688 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2756581 7-Aug-2021 18:32

I'd recommend running a lightweight distro like Lububtu, instead of Android x86, which can be heavy on older PCs.

Minecraft runs natively on Linux.
Roblox runs well using Grapejuice (Wine wrapper).
As for other Android apps, you call still run them on Linux using Anbox.

Go for Linux and you get best of both worlds.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2760360 15-Aug-2021 21:51

d3Xt3r: I'd recommend running a lightweight distro like Lububtu, instead of Android x86, which can be heavy on older PCs.

Minecraft runs natively on Linux.
Roblox runs well using Grapejuice (Wine wrapper).
As for other Android apps, you call still run them on Linux using Anbox.

Go for Linux and you get best of both worlds.

Thanks. I’ve tried to install Anbox on Ubuntu (found a video on YouTube).

https://youtu.be/h9p42kiid9o

Can’t seem to find instructions on how to install in, if I run Lubuntu.

Also, trying to run Anbox on Ubuntu doesn’t work on my laptop.
It installs, but just can’t get it to start.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2760394 16-Aug-2021 09:09

danepak:
d3Xt3r: I'd recommend running a lightweight distro like Lububtu, instead of Android x86, which can be heavy on older PCs.

Minecraft runs natively on Linux.
Roblox runs well using Grapejuice (Wine wrapper).
As for other Android apps, you call still run them on Linux using Anbox.

Go for Linux and you get best of both worlds.

Thanks. I’ve tried to install Anbox on Ubuntu (found a video on YouTube).

https://youtu.be/h9p42kiid9o

Can’t seem to find instructions on how to install in, if I run Lubuntu.

Also, trying to run Anbox on Ubuntu doesn’t work on my laptop.
It installs, but just can’t get it to start.

Edit: I’ve managed to install it on Mint Cinnamon. Google Playstore seems to work fine, but will have a proper playing around with it later tonight.

BillyFieldman

42 posts

Geek

#2790607 6-Oct-2021 14:41

danepak: Thanks. I’ve tried to install Anbox on Ubuntu (found a video on YouTube).

https://youtu.be/h9p42kiid9o

Can’t seem to find instructions on how to install in, if I run Lubuntu.

Also, trying to run Anbox on Ubuntu doesn’t work on my laptop.
It installs, but just can’t get it to start.

Edit: I’ve managed to install it on Mint Cinnamon. Google Playstore seems to work fine, but will have a proper playing around with it later tonight.

Hi,

Are you able to install and run Android apps such as Whatsapp, Signal and Google Home (for casting to Chromecast)?

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2790628 6-Oct-2021 15:50

BillyFieldman:
danepak: Thanks. I’ve tried to install Anbox on Ubuntu (found a video on YouTube).

https://youtu.be/h9p42kiid9o

Can’t seem to find instructions on how to install in, if I run Lubuntu.

Also, trying to run Anbox on Ubuntu doesn’t work on my laptop.
It installs, but just can’t get it to start.

Edit: I’ve managed to install it on Mint Cinnamon. Google Playstore seems to work fine, but will have a proper playing around with it later tonight.

Hi,

Are you able to install and run Android apps such as Whatsapp, Signal and Google Home (for casting to Chromecast)?

I’ve uninstalled it, but might reinstall.
If I do, I’ll test the apps you mentioned and will get back to you.

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Rickles

2938 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2793745 12-Oct-2021 10:50

I've installed and used Remix (on Windows machine), quite successfully .... originally to get Gaspy and run Google Home 😉

Look HERE.