I've got an Asus Transformer T100TAM, but I'm stuck since I can't decide on a Linux distro to install. The device only supports 32-bit operating systems, and I've run into errors trying to install both Windows 10 and 8.1. Now, I'm left without any OS, just access to the BIOS. I only want to use it for web browsing, and I've never used Linux before. Also, I've heard that Wi-Fi support can be hit or miss with different distros, so I'd appreciate any recommendations that will definitely work for my device.
3 Answers
If you’re looking for a solid option, you could go with Q4OS which has a 32-bit version available. It’s lightweight and great for web browsing! You can check it out here: https://www.q4os.org/downloads1.html.
Debian might be your best bet! It has specific instructions for the T100TAM available right on their website. Just search for 'T100TAM Debian instructions' on Google, and you should find what you need!
You might want to check your Wi-Fi card's compatibility before diving in. It’s a good idea to see if your card model is supported by Linux here: https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/users/drivers.html. Since you’re working with a 32-bit system, chances are your Wi-Fi should work. I recommend trying out MX Linux as it has a 32-bit version that’s user-friendly for beginners. You can download it from https://mxlinux.org/download-links/. Look for MX-23.6_386 under the Xfce desktop environment; it's lightweight and should perform well on your device. Just remember that using Linux is different from Windows, so installing apps usually involves using a software manager or the terminal!
Just a heads up, the T100TAM runs on a 32-bit EFI but has a 64-bit CPU. I had a similar device until I moved on, and trust me, it's best to check compatibility thoroughly.