Android vs Desktop Linux

The cluster centers on debates about whether Android counts as 'desktop Linux,' its suitability for desktop use compared to traditional GNU/Linux distributions, and the blurring lines between mobile and desktop OSes like Ubuntu phones or Android laptops.

➡️ Stable 0.7x Open Source
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#9070
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Keywords

X11 SoCs UX ARM i.e LibreOffice AND HW OS HP android linux desktop os linux desktop desktop linux gnu apps gnu linux ubuntu

Sample Comments

shmerl Dec 5, 2012 View on HN

I don' think Android is appropriate for the desktop. It's way inferior in comparison with regular Linux (i.e. GNU/Linux with glibc and etc.) and there simply is no point in using it that way. Probably the other way around - conventional Linux will make more inroads in the mobile sphere in the near future.

ionised Aug 18, 2015 View on HN

How does Android, a mobile OS mean the end of desktop Linux?

wmf Sep 1, 2012 View on HN

Android is not really Linux and that sounds like a terrible idea (although less terrible than Chrome OS).

sigzero Nov 9, 2012 View on HN

To be fair...Android is not desktop linux.

wmf Aug 1, 2021 View on HN

Android is not desktop Linux either.

tjoff Mar 4, 2018 View on HN

From a users perspective android doesn't really count as Linux.

C0n57an71n Jul 18, 2020 View on HN

No, ditch Android AND iOs. Give a chance to Linux mobile OS.

LexiMax May 23, 2025 View on HN

Android does not resemble a traditional GNU/Linux desktop.

bstar77 Jan 6, 2013 View on HN

Android does use the linux kernel and does have some of the GNU stack, but it's not directly comparable to Ubuntu.I believe that we are going to be using our phones as our desktop computers in the not-too-distant future, and what Ubuntu is doing is one of the first steps to achieve this. Android has tried to do this in the past (Atrix), but the desktop experience was abysmal because the experiences were inconsistent.I'm very excited to see how this develops, but Canonical is going to need

daliusd Nov 22, 2013 View on HN

Android is quite poor desktop OS :)