Hi Linux- how important is it to install, say Debian, the version that is specifically made for your hardware? For example, if I have a Rock64 SBC, do I have to install Debian-rock64.img or can I just go with Debian-arm64.img? Will I lose performance/features if using generic arm64 image, or conversely, will I gain performance/features if using the image made for my specific SBC? Is the generic image even compatible with all hardwares?

Thank you.

  • bartolomeo@suppo.fiOP
    2·
    9 months ago

    Thank you! So if it’s about firmware, then using a generic image might lead to critical components not working, or the entire system not working, right? I’m wondering about the general concept.

    • TCB13@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      9 months ago

      then using a generic image might lead to critical components not working, or the entire system not working, right?

      Yes, that’s why you should either use manufacturer images or Armbian (https://lemmy.world/comment/4609514). Generic images might also underperform in your board, the GPIO and other low level components will, most likely, not work and you might burn your storage as logging and other I/O intensive operations aren’t tweaked for SD/eMMC.

    • Corroded@leminal.spaceEnglish
      1·
      9 months ago

      I don’t know enough to say. I’ve used the wrong images in the past and I want to say I had some issues with things like display brightness controls and minor things. I think it still ran fine