Linux On A Ipad?

[barry1010]

I have claims that Linux will run on an old iPad but I don't know anyone who has done it.

Have you tried?

[Buenchico]

It might depend upon just how old the iPad is.  The most popular way of getting it to work is to use a 'shell' application, called iSH, within the iPad's own native operating system, which has to be iOS 11 or higher.

See here:
https://ipadlinux.org/

[barry1010]

Thanks, Buen, I just thought it would be a good way to make use of an ancient iPad.

Is a shell along the lines of a sandbox in Windows?

[Buenchico]

^^^ It's not really my field of expertise, Barry, but (as I understand it), the situation is somewhat similar to that of an 'emulator'.

e.g. it's possible to get lots of old Amiga and Atari games to run on a Windows computer by using an 'emulator', which still actually use Windows but 'pretends' to be running the Amiga or Atari operating system that's needed by the particular game in question.  

Similarly, iSH still uses an iPad's native operating system (which has to be iOS 11 or later) but 'pretends' to be running Linux.

So the situation is different to that on a PC, where you can simply ditch Windows altogether and replace it with Linux.  On an iPad you still need the original operating system to be present.

[Togo]

A shell script is a file containing a sequence of operating system commands and shell commands. It allows you to automate tasks by writing a series of commands that the shell can execute.

Windows sanbox(part of the Defender security)enables you to safely run applicatioms and sites in isolation without a danger of cross contamination from virus attacks. 

[Togo]

 A Sandbox by the way, was a safe method developed to test the strength of cannons and rifle barrels in isoolation without blowing up the magazine if one failed.

[barry1010]

I do have emulators on my PC, so I can now grasp the idea of the shell.

I dual boot Windows and Linux on an old laptop and scrapped Windows and installed Linux on an ancient PC.

 

Thanks both.

[Togo]

Just for fun info. Besides the shell in your os command system there is a Kernel which is the central componant of the os. Unless you realy do know what you are doing do not go there. Two of our site members could probably fill in the details properly for us. The two are TTT and YMB. Both write code to a high standard. I avoid it and have now done so for many many years now since it all got away from me. My son still plays with it a little. Did you ever do any gaming on a pc Barry? Emulators were all the rave at one time so that the gamers could get the old arcade games to run on a desktop. I am still having nightmares about a 14yr old running Missile command on our pc. 

[Togo]

Another very interesting fact. The small company that used to make the specialist graphics cards that gamers wanted is now in the top 10 World list of Globaly important companies.    ...  The very tech used in those early cards is now vital for the munitions drones that will soon dominate on any battlefield. Buy shares. 

[barry1010]

Never been a gamer, no idea what to do.  I did play Mario with the grandkids a few times and I enjoy Scrabble and other word games but I don't think that's what you mean.

I never needed a water cooled PC. 

[maglaemu]

I haven't personally tried running Linux on an old iPad, but it's an intriguing idea. From what I've read, it seems technically possible due to the open-source nature of Linux and the iPad's hardware capabilities, but it might require some technical know-how and potentially jailbreaking the device. If you're keen to experiment, forums and online communities dedicated to iPad hacks and Linux enthusiasts might have more detailed guides or experiences to share. For an alternative, you could try Windows operating system keys. If you're in need, you can check out https://digitalchillmart.com/product/windows-11-pro-32-64-bit/ for affordable options.