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I have a Hardkernel ODROID-C0 development board. At the ODROID-C0 website it says that some of the operating systems that run on the ODROID-C0 are Ubuntu, Android, Arch Linux, Debian, and OpenELEC. I am starting a new embedded system project, and was trying to find an answer to my question:

What is the most lightweight Linux system that is tailored for embedded devices? I stumbled upon Arch Linux and Ubuntu Core (Snappy), but did not manage to find a clear answer to the difference between the two. Can anyone help with this?

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closed as primarily opinion-based by mikewhatever, Rinzwind, Jeremy31, TheWanderer, Mark Kirby Sep 24 '16 at 18:29

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

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    Generic linux questions should be asked on unix.stackexchange.com – Rinzwind Sep 24 '16 at 11:08
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    @Rinzwind thanks for heads up im new to ask ubuntu, will make sure I move my question there – ProllyGeek Sep 24 '16 at 11:09
  • Ubuntu Core is an entirely new way to think about the life of software on embedded devices. I suggest that you read up more on it at snapcraft.io/docs/core. You will find a wealth of information and see all the benefits that Ubuntu Core brings to the game. – Manik Taneja Sep 27 '16 at 0:21
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Ubuntu Core is a minimalistic version of Ubuntu designed to run on embedded devices, and it is the more lightweight OS. The minimum hardware systems requirements for Ubuntu Core are:

  • Processor – 600MHz processor (ARMv7 or greater, or x86)
  • System Memory – 128MB RAM
  • Storage – 4GB flash/storage for factory reset and system rollback

A new release of Ubuntu Core is released every 2 years on even numbered years (2016, 2018, etc.). Ubuntu Core 18 is based on Ubuntu 18.04, and is supported by security and maintenance updates for 10 years until April, 2028. 

               Processor              Memory    Disk space    Download webpage
Ubuntu Core    600MHz ARMv7 or x86    128MB       4GB         http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-core/vivid/daily-preinstalled/current/   
Arch Linux     i686, x86_64 or ARM    256MB     800MB         https://archlinuxarm.org/about/downloads

If you have an application that doesn't need more than a minimal operating system and power saving is very important, I recommend Ubuntu Core.

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  • thanks a lot for your answer, so you are saying that archlinux should be out of consideration when comparing to core ? – ProllyGeek Sep 24 '16 at 10:53
  • Check if your device is supported at this website: Downloads | Arch Linux ARM. – karel Sep 24 '16 at 11:05
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    it is supported for both systems, but no one answers the question of which is best for my device. – ProllyGeek Sep 24 '16 at 11:09
  • Check the size of the Arch Linux file for your device and compare it with the size of the Ubuntu Core file at Ubuntu Core Daily Build – karel Sep 24 '16 at 11:15
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    Ah, small devices like that will easily accept Ubuntu Core or Arch Linux. You should be all set with those. – Dev Sep 30 '16 at 16:10

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