Support for the newer raspberries are being added to the mainline kernel...5.5 version I think?

ARM SBCs are very custom (for example, in RPis, the GPU is actually the main processor...), therefore specialized distros are required for full support.

If the target is full support with standard distros, then one needs to go for x86 SBCs. As far as I know, the only (relatively) cheap one is the ODROID H2.

>therefore specialized distros are required for full support.

Once the 5.5 kernel gets wider support I suspect this won't be an issue anymore. Ubuntu already supports ARM and with kernel support on the way it's only a matter of time.

>in RPis, the GPU is actually the main processor.

huh?

The VideoCore boots first and has low level control of the SoC. It then turns on the ARM core. I think it is fair to view it as the main processor.

While I see what you mean, Isn't it common even in x86 for other cores to boot before and be involved in start-up of the primary CPU?

While that might be a fair view, I think it deserves further qualification as to not just cause extra confusion.

> for example, in RPis, the GPU is actually the main processor

Can you clarify what you mean by this statement? It doesn't really fit well with my understanding of the RPI design, other than the fact that it's a SoC and the GPU and CPU are on the same chip.

There is another comment explaining it; in short, "boots first and has low level control of the SoC".

Defining "main processor" is certainly arguable, as there isn't a unique way of viewing the architecture, but on the other hand, the idea that ARM boards are "very custom" still stands.

Some informations:

- https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/10489/how-do...

- https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/14862/why-do...

I probably would too. Sadly the best use case I have come up with to date is lining up my pi boards neatly in my cupboard.