My PC needs a fresh OS install (to clear some clutter), I can just install a fresh KDE Neon, but i wanna Explore the Linux community and try out different distros
but the thing is my Brostrend Wifi Adapter is holding me at gunpoint since it only supports a few distros particularly Debian-based distros like Ubuntu, KDE neon, etc.
from it’s official amazon page:
Works with Debian-Based OSes: Supports kernels up to 6.17, Ubuntu 25.10–16.04 (all flavors), Raspberry Pi OS 13–8, Debian 13–8, Linux Mint 22–18, LMDE 7–1, Zorin OS, MX Linux, Linux Lite, elementary OS and more. Additional supported OSes for this Linux USB WiFi adapter are listed below
Unsupported Distributions: Currently NOT compatible with Arch Linux, Fedora Workstation, Kali Linux, deepin, Pop! OS, antiX, Manjaro, RHEL, CentOS, openSUSE Leap, OpenWrt, Guix, Puppy, Tails, Endless OS, LibreELEC, OSMC, SteamOS
I really want a Stable OS running KDE, with a good community and support by my wifi adapter. KDE OS is not supported as of my knowledge.
Also to mention that the only reason i would like it to have KDE is because i can:
- drag windows to the side to switch virtual desktops
- remap extra mouse keys to keyboard shortcuts
- move the virtual desktop pager to be in a corner so i can scroll like on Ubuntu
- connect my android with KDE connect
- Customize even if its a little (like on Zorin)
also if its possible to run the adapter on an unsupported distro like on Fedora KDE, then i’d happily do it if you were to show me how, thank you for helping!
The company only supports some distros, in terms of providing driver packages directly. Basically Debian/Ubuntu based ones.
Many or most may have drivers built in to the kernel now, and may not need Brostrend’s driver repo at all.
Boot a live USB of your desired distro and see if it works out of the box.
I have this one and haven’t needed to install a driver in a few years, for example, and if memory serves, it did work in Fedora a couple of years ago with in-kernel drivers.
Look up your device on the company website to see better info.
Here is a list of the minimal kernel versions for each device
Only a couple need a very recent kernel, or don’t have in-kernel support.
If it is for example this new nano device yes, you need their driver because it is an odd thing with an aic8800 chip that first loads as a USB device (to offer Windows drivers I assume) that needs to be disabled, plus an external driver as iirc it is not in the Linux kernel.
This just means you need to find out how to set it up in different distros. There is a package in the AUR for the Archies, and a few github repos with things that may or may not work, on whatever distro and are not necessarily easy or obvious how to install them.
So basically, it depends on which adapter you have.
Generally speaking if it works in *buntu-based distros like neon or Kubuntu, with no extra driver install, it will work in most all distros.
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lemme try it on Fedora KDE, Ill be right back with the results
Which adapter model do you have?
im back, its ax900 btw i think.
it works flawlessly, and now im saving all my data to make the switch thank you again btw
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