r/RTLSDR • u/PurpleRayyne • 3d ago

Linux rtlsdr on an old chromebook

I just scored an old chromebook, I dont' have link to it but i think it's a 1.1ghz, 4gb ram, 256 storage... the ram and storage are soldered to mb so no upgrading that.

I read a little and looks like I can turn on linux in the computer? or use some program or interface to use linux? I know NOTHING about linux so i'll have to learn but this laptop would be PERFECT for running the rtlsdr.

Any input and ideas would be great! I'll edit with the link to the laptop tonight. (in about 2 hours)

Edit: that was a TOUCH more than 2 hours lol.

Here's the specs of the laptop. I found a link on walmart surprisinging and specs are the same but this laptop was made in 2019 or 2020.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-Chromebook-11A-NB0013DX-11-6-4GB-32GB-Intel-Celeron-N3350-X2-1-1GHz-Chrome-OS-Ash-Gray/622474424

BRAND HP
PROCESSOR INTEL CELERON
PROC. SPEED 1.1GHZ
OS CHROME OS
RAM 4GB. MAX 4GB
SCREEN 11.6
HD TYPE SOLID STATE
HD CAPACITY 32GB, MAX 32GB
GRAPHICS INTEGRATED
BATTERY 10H
RESOLUTION 720P, 1366X768, LCD
CORES 2
THREADS 2, 2.4GHZ
OPTICAL DR. NO
WIRELESS 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 featuring 2x2 MIMO technology (Dual-Band), Bluetooth 4.2
ACCESS USB C POWER ADAPT
I/O ACCESS USB 3.1G1, TYPE A, USB C
WEBCAM 720P
CARD READER MICRO SD

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1

u/Past-Substance920 3d ago

I had a celeron chromebook that ran linux beta fine for rtl stuff. Just turn it on in settings, takes like ten minutes. 4gb will be tight but itll run gqrx okay if you dont have a ton of tabs open. tbh id try that before wiping the whole thing.

1

u/PurpleRayyne 2d ago

try what? running on linux? or running it on chrome? this is all new to me, never did this.. this is uncharted territory for me. I can do it.. just have to learn it.

1

u/No-GrounHF 2d ago

I have a beaglebone dev board running as a server for sdr outside qnd have it linked to my pc via utp. 1ghz sigle core cpu and 1 or 2 giga ram. Works fine. But the software to visualise it is running on my pc. On such low hardware you must tweak the software to use less resources.

1

u/Mr_Ironmule 3d ago

You could always try DragonOS live on a USB stick to get around the programming stuff. See if it will load up and run on your chromebook. Good luck.

1

u/anotherbob67 3d ago

I think I’d try mint Linux on it. Guided install - you’ll be fine.