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.

  • @TCB13English
    4•1 year 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.