Android box able to run Linux distro?

[FuriousGamer]

I have two Android TV boxes meant for me and my family but have been unused and are no longer needed. I was hoping that rather than leave them lying around I could put them to better use and install a Linux distro on them and hopefully have them as a sort of mini PC.

Has anyone been able to do this or know if it would work, I've tried looking but all I get is results with Chinese companies trying to sell android boxes instead of actual boxes running Linux.

 

[skittle]

In general the answer is no because of locked bootloaders and proprietary firmware/code needed to get the device running.

 

[FuriousGamer]

In general the answer is no because of locked bootloaders and proprietary firmware/code needed to get the device running.

What about using one of the Android apps that allow you to run Linux? For example Linux deploy, Would that work or just be pointless?

 

[skittle]

Sure if you have root access on the android device. Basically works like a fancy chroot. It's much easier to just get a raspberrypi

 

[FuriousGamer]

Sure if you have root access on the android device. Basically works like a fancy chroot. It's much easier to just get a raspberrypi

I have seen one guy who ran I think it was four Raspberripis at once I think he called it a raspberripi "supercomputer" or something like that but he had fans and a switcher and all sorts of things hooked up to it, Would it be possible to do it with just two and maintain the portability?