Andoid as a permanent OS?

[paradisiac]

i know that android is mainly aimed at phones and tablets, but would it be possible/practicle to use it on a laptop/desktop?
linux is good, but its apps i suppose can be somewhat limited, whereas my understanding is the google marketplace has, albeit a lot a paid for, a lot of apps, games etc. this would therefore make it a better alternative to windows, i think, or maybe it wouldnt.

 

[tntcoder]

You also have the problem that Android is for ARM CPUs.

There is however an x86 port for desktop use, check it out http://www.android-x86.org/ maybe try it out in a VM and if you can do everything you need to do then go for it

 

[cb_linus]

Not sure if it would be practical assuming all (most?) Android apps are designed for a touchscreen interface but it would probably be fun to try it out in a VM?

Incidentally, what VM do people generally recommend? It's something I've been wanting to try out for a while and this might be a good way to do it

 

[ng93]

linux is good, but its apps i suppose can be somewhat limited

in what way? desktop linux has firefox, thunderbird, libre office etc. plus more specialized apps like gimp and blender. android doesn't even come close.

Incidentally, what VM do people generally recommend? It's something I've been wanting to try out for a while and this might be a good way to do it

personally i like virtualbox

 

[Hades]

Another vote for virtualbox.

 

[russ0r]

If you think Linux apps are limited, you're doing something wrong.

My netbook came with Android x86. It was buggy and slow. Also it wasn't officially supported by Google so you couldn't access the marketplace. It isn't a viable alternative at the moment, and probably never will be, since Google is focussing its efforts on Chrome/Chromium OS for the PC market.

Also, virtualbox.

 

[Cycrow]

also a lot of andriod apps will be aimed at phone usage, not really desktop usage.

what apps are you struggling to find on linux ?
or what apps on adriod do u want that u cant find ?


for VM, i also use virtualbox

 

[paradisiac]

just games really, and the gimiky apps you get on the phones.

 

[ng93]

just games really, and the gimiky apps you get on the phones.

Theres flash versions of most android games, plus desktop linux lets you install wine for windows games.

And would you really want gimiky apps on a desktop? I mean they can be fun for a few minutes when out with friends, but on a desktop they'd be even more pointless than they already are.

 

[cb_linus]

just games really, and the gimiky apps you get on the phones.

Linux isn't famous for games I guess (not yet anyway ) but I can heartily recommend World of Goo which I've been playing a bit of recently

Also, get subscribed to the humble bundle - so far I've got Trine, World of Goo, Braid, Osmos and some other games through it

 

[1kiwi]

I like VM Workstation.