Hey there, folks! Today we gonna talk about how to install Linux on the HP Stream 7. Now, I know what you thinkin’, “That’s a tiny lil’ tablet, how you gonna put Linux on that?” Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t easy, but it sure can be done if you’re patient enough.
First things first, the HP Stream 7 comes with an Intel Atom processor and just 1GB of RAM. Not much, huh? And only 32GB of storage too, so ya gotta be real careful ’bout how you use that space. Windows usually gobbles up most of it, so it’s no wonder people wanna switch to Linux.
Choosing the Right Linux Distro
Now, when it comes to choosing which version of Linux to run, you gotta be smart ’cause not all Linuxes run well on this lil’ tablet. Some folks tried Ubuntu, others went with Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and even Debian. I tell ya, the lighter the better ’cause you ain’t got much RAM to work with.
Most people say Lubuntu 20.04 is a good choice. It’s real lightweight and it runs better on low-end devices like the Stream 7. It don’t hog up all the resources like Windows does. There’s also Ubuntu 19.04 or even Debian, but I say go with whatever works for ya. Just remember, lighter is better.
Installation Process
- First off, ya gotta download the right image file for your Linux distro. If you’re goin’ with Lubuntu, make sure it’s for Atom processors. The good folks at Linuxium got one ready just for ya.
- Then, flash that image to a USB drive. You can use somethin’ like BalenaEtcher or Rufus. Once it’s done, plug it into your tablet.
- Now, ya gotta get into the BIOS. Restart the tablet and press the volume down button while it’s bootin’ up. That should take ya right into the BIOS menu.
- From there, change the boot order so it boots from the USB. Save the settings and restart again. It should start loadin’ the Linux installer from the USB.
Once the installation starts, follow the instructions. It’s mostly straightforward, just like installin’ any other operating system. When it asks where to install, you might wanna delete the old Windows partitions if you’re sure you don’t need ’em no more. Every bit of space counts on this lil’ tablet.
Issues You Might Run Into
Now lemme tell ya, it ain’t all smooth sailin’. Folks have run into all kinds of problems, especially with the wireless and Bluetooth adapters. This tablet’s got a Realtek wireless chip, and Linux don’t always play nice with it. You might need to hunt around for drivers or use a USB dongle to get Wi-Fi workin’. Same goes for the Bluetooth — might be a bit tricky, but with enough patience, you can get it goin’.
Another thing you might run into is the touchscreen not workin’ right away. But don’t worry, there are drivers and fixes out there for that too. You just gotta keep diggin’ on the Linux forums and askin’ folks for advice.
Performance After Installation
Once you got Linux up and runnin’, the HP Stream 7 actually handles it pretty well for basic stuff. Don’t expect to run heavy programs, but for browsin’ the web, checkin’ email, and maybe watchin’ a video or two, it does the job just fine. Some folks say it even runs faster than Windows did, especially since you ain’t got all that bloatware slowin’ it down.
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re lookin’ to breathe new life into your HP Stream 7, switchin’ to Linux might be just the thing. It takes some time and patience, but it’s worth it if you’re tired of fightin’ with slow Windows updates and runnin’ outta space all the time.
Just remember: keep it lightweight, have your USB drives ready, and don’t be afraid to dig through those Linux forums when ya hit a bump in the road. Good luck, and happy installin’!
Tags：[HP Stream 7, Linux on HP Stream, Lubuntu on HP Stream 7, Linux Install, Linuxium, Atom Processor]
