Is it possible and indeed practical to dual boot a Windows 8 tablet/smartphone with Jelly Bean 4.0 + ? Are there significant restrictions or limitations in doing so? If this is not achieveable as yet - What about running Bluestacks on these devices, just in the same manner that Bluestacks can run Android Apps as an emulator on a Windows PC (if i'm correct)
-
This would possibly/probably be considered a dupe of Can I install Android on my non-Android device? There are simply far too many devices out there for us to feasibly cover a question for each, and the vast majority of the time the answer is "nobody has done this yet".– eldarerathisCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:39
-
@eldarerathis - I did look at that answer previously, but found it to be too broad in his initial question. I specifically want to know about a Windows 8 device being able to run android as well– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:43
-
@eldarerathis - I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that people like XDA Developers and Modders (i'm not sure if that is the correct term) were usually one step ahead of the game– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:50
-
Secure Boot technology on RT tablets would probably prevent dual-booting. But, it can be by-passed I think.– iOS EnthusiastCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:55
-
@Sachin Shekhar ok I will (in response to Android x86 below)– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 16:28
3 Answers
You could, but without support it would be difficult.
Android does not 100% support for all apps on intel/amd processors
As well as this, you would have to write a kernal / kernel object to support the specific hardware of the device.
This can be quite difficult if propriety information is unavailable.
You would be better to ask at http://forum.xda-developers.com and ask if someone has ported Android to your device, or a device you would be wanting to buy.
-
@ The Andro Nerd - Your final sentence regarding XDA and porting makes sense to me. I assumed there would be XDA people on this forum who might provide there 2 cents. What about Bluestacks ?– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 16:32
-
@Simon am a member of XDA - but I don't make ROM's. Bluestacks won't work on Windows 8 RT - blame windows for this, they don't allow 'desktop' programs running on RT versions of Windows 8.– Liam WCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 17:54
-
Ah Ok fine, there are obviously different divisions/arms to XDA, shame about the Bluestacks– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 18:08
-
Very true, and I suppose you could ask them to try and make a Windows 8 RT/Metro version.– Liam WCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 18:14
Update: BlueStacks Android App Player Now Has A MS Surface Pro Tablet - Optimized Version
Bluestacks android emulator has now finally arrived to Windows 8 (no RT Version currently available), and works like an absolute charm on Windows 8 PCs, notebooks and ultrabooks alike.
BlueStacks for Windows 8 supports an elegant interface and runs in full screen mode by default. The application is also fully optimized for the 1920 x 1080 HD display of Surface Pro.
BlueStacks for Windows 8 is perhaps the most interesting application to hit the OS so far. It’s a significant boost to the otherwise lukewarm offerings of Windows Store. BlueStacks works on all variants of Windows 8, but not on Windows RT. Testing was carried out on Windows 8 Pro 64-bit.
The above extract was taken from an article entitled "BlueStacks Android App Player Now Has A Surface Pro-Optimized Version" was written for Addictive Tips by Waqas Ahmed on 13th February 2013. For more in depth info:
-
@GAThrawn No I'm not the author (the authors name is stated at the bottom). I thought if I just provided the link to the article, someone would have told me that was no good (because links may diasppear) ?– SimonCommented Feb 13, 2013 at 16:58
-
It's still copyright infringement, even with the link. You basically have to treat it like a school assignment -- short quotes and summarizing with a reference is OK, as is writing up your own version from the knowledge you've gained, but outright copying is not. That said I don't believe we take action on this sort of thing unless the copyright owner makes a claim. CC @GAThrawn Commented Feb 13, 2013 at 17:10
-
-
1@Simon looks good, it's actually easier to read and get the important info from it now too.– GAThrawnCommented Feb 13, 2013 at 18:06
-
1@GAThrawn To be honest, I got a little excited, because when Bluestacks initially came out I sent them a few emails asking them to develop a version for the Surface tablet - and now they have and if it really works that well, it should be an excellent choice for a tablet– SimonCommented Feb 13, 2013 at 18:11
The vast majority of devices aren't capable of supporting both OSes. However, you can try Android x86 on non-ARM tablets; I've tried it on my WindPad and it works. It's just like dual-booting with Linux.
Probably the most significant limitations are that some hardware is unlikely to work, as driver support is not comprehensive.
-
Thankyou for your response. I was thinking more in terms of if I purchased a Windows Surface tablet, or Nokia Lumia or HTC Windows 8 smartphone. I guess your saying it is not practical at the moment or hasnt been achieved yet ?– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:35
-
-
@Sachin Shekhar - Sachin Android x86 is the platform for ICS, Jelly Bean etc ?– SimonCommented Nov 28, 2012 at 14:55
-
-