After looking at this post A Slice of Pi, I wanted to take into consideration what was requested here. I as well would like an ARM solution to using a Pi or Pine Phone. I would also like to use Garuda Linux in more of my day to day life and can achieve this with some embedded options. However, I do understand that these options may not be possible for a number of reasons. So I have come across a possible solution that could assist in satisfying to some satisfactory level a decent solution for everyone involved in a request like this.
I would like to bring fourth a device like this The Udoo Bolt Gear. It was mentioned in the Pi post…
Well, let’s take a closer look at this computer. You can do:
Gaming
Video production
Audio production
Programming development
Media center applications
Higher end virtual machining
Everything a Linux PC can do that requires higher end functions
All gift rapped in one, little neat and tidy box. I have also noticed there are some AMD Ryzen kernal options that can be installed with Garuda already available. Garuda also has excellent tech support when you address this forum. On that note, if anyone has a problem with the Udoo Bolt, you know that the user is going to have a prepackaged computer without modifications to make a mess of things, making it easier to deal with when trying to troubleshoot problems. The only thing that would be needed from the Garuda developers is an installable embedded care package would could be made available in the database listed either under Chaotic-Aur or Garuda itself.
Preinstalled Arduino control software with tested compatibility to the ATmega32U4 processor
Test software to make sure the UART, SPI, I2C ports function
Possible “Wake Up” interrupt support to bring Garuda to life again
Keyboard IO support to run functions by remote in Garuda
RPM testing options for fans, flow sensors, and other embedded devices
Easy access to some preinstalled library functions should someone want to use Python, Java, C/C++, any other language not mentioned here that can poke at the functions of Garuda
Everything else will most likely function just fine without any effort at all that is already put in place by the Garuda developers. Maybe you might want to open up an embedded solutions in the Garuda forum for people to address when using this device. From looking at this option, I can’t see any reason why it couldn’t get the official seal of approval from the Garuda Development Team considering most of the work has been done already.
Now, if that doesn’t make you consider wanting to try that out. May I also point out that it could be possibly in reselling prepackaged and preinstalled Udoo Bolt systems with Garuda already installed as a base install upon a users request off your website which again can feed profits back into the development team to keep Garuda at it’s best. Actually with that in mind, could you please sell Garuda shirts and jackets as well? I wouldn’t mind buying one.
Looks pretty neat! Although, it seems way overpriced for what it is. Almost $600, plus you have to also buy memory, storage, monitor, keyboard, mouse… probably you could get a laptop just as good for less money.
What approval is needed? Just go ahead and try to install it. If it works, great.
You can ship it to my house and I’ll install Garuda Linux on there for you for $100, how’s that sound?
Garuda Linux doesn’t sell any merchandise at this time. Keep in mind, this is not a for-profit business like certain other distros. If there was merch for sale it probably would not be these really expensive mini PCs, if that is what you are suggesting.
We often get requests to support niche hardware. With such a small development team this is unlikely to happen. Distro funds are not spent on purchasing hardware for team members to experiment with. So, unless one of the core team members took an interest in a particular piece of specialty hardware and spent their own funds for its purchase then this is not that likely to happen.
Money aside, most of the devs are already spread pretty thin supporting the diverse variety of desktop environments Garuda already provides.
While I would never say never, I wouldn’t expect to see this happen anytime soon.
Your right it is over priced, but it depends on what your doing, sometimes you need high performance in the smallest possible space with the least amount of power supplied to the system. When you start looking at embedded solutions, sometimes things can’t always be so easily solved with just a laptop.
It would just be nice to be able to tell others that if they want to use a Pi for some kind of embedded solution and happen to be interested in using Garuda to make this happen, you could say on your site that if you were looking for an embedded solution that uses Garuda this is what you know works best and is easier to help troubleshoot. In other words, if someone were looking for an embedded solution, this is what hardware is supported and no other.
Uh huh, admit it, you want to try out one of these devices spite it being over priced, don’t you? Well, if you were able to make the I2C and SPI ports work that directly interface to the AMD hardware (and not from the Arduino), make some scripts that work. Perhaps in the distant future, that $100 might become a reality. Who knows right?
So in other words, you would need to drag someone on the team willing to take on an embedded approach to make this happen I take it?
Let’s just say that to the best of my knowledge none of the devs have said that they have the time or inclination to do this. As I’ve already mentioned, hardware acquisition costs money and its usually not just a one time purchase. As newer models come out devs would need to update the hardware to the newest version to be able to ensure that it is supported properly by the distro. One of the devs would really need to be keen on acquiring this particular specialty hardware for it to happen.
I’m not saying it’s impossible, I just wouldn’t hold my breath for this to happen if I were you.
