I have an older 9.7-inch CTL tablet powered by a Rockchip RK3399, and its Chrome OS installation is now outdated. The tablet does not have a keyboard, so I would need a Linux option with reliable touchscreen support. Updates no longer seem to work, and the device has become frustratingly slow. Is installing Linux a realistic project for this hardware? If so, which distribution would offer the best balance of ARM compatibility and touch-friendly usability, and what risks should I be aware of before attempting it?
3 Answers
Before replacing Chrome OS, check whether this model supports the built-in Linux environment, commonly known as Crostini. If it does, that would let you run newer Linux applications without flashing the tablet and would be much safer. However, very old Chrome OS tablets often lack the required support, and the feature may not be practical without a keyboard.
The important detail is support for the exact model, not just the RK3399 processor. A distribution can support the chip while still missing drivers for the touchscreen, display rotation, Wi-Fi, audio, cameras, or suspend mode. Look for a device-specific installation guide and reports from people using the same CTL tablet before attempting anything.
It may be possible if you can unlock the bootloader, but ARM tablet support is much more limited than regular PC Linux support. PostmarketOS is probably the first project to investigate, although it is designed more as an Android replacement than a traditional desktop. Armbian might also be worth checking, but only if your exact tablet model is listed as supported. Flashing unsupported firmware can leave the device unusable, so the effort may not be worthwhile unless you are comfortable recovering or replacing the firmware.
That matches what I was finding. PostmarketOS and Armbian seem like the main possibilities, but the chance of bricking it is concerning. The current Chrome OS is outdated, refuses to update, and runs extremely slowly.