build VS DietPi

https://github.com/armbian/build

There isn't any hypervisor running on that and still no SVE

The number of boards supported by these two distros is astonishing:

https://www.armbian.com/download/

https://dietpi.com/#download

The NanoPC-T6 is already supported by Armbian build system:

https://github.com/armbian/build/tree/main/config/boards

It's my understanding that https://www.armbian.com/ has quite broad hardware support, and there are boards from Orange Pi and Pine64 that boast actual mainline kernel support, so this is more a case of a fragmented ecosystem than there being zero competitors that can meet or exceed pis.

The normal Raspberry Pi OS Lite is pretty okay.

https://www.armbian.com/ is also pretty awesome and also supports bunch of other RaspberryPi clones for cheaper price.

git clone https://github.com/armbian/build cd build ./compile.sh BOARD=orangepi5-plus RELEASE=jammy BUILD_MINIMAL=yes KERNEL_GIT=full BUILD_DESKTOP=no BUILD_ONLY="u-boot,kernel,armbian-config,armbian-zsh,bootstrap" KERNEL_CONFIGURE=no

If the SBC is supported by Armbian then the software support is usually pretty good.

https://www.armbian.com/

Checkout DietPi, simplifies configuration, logging, software install and much more.

https://dietpi.com/

DietPi is a lightweight Debian based Linux distribution for SBCs and server systems, with the option to install desktop environments, too. It ships as minimal image but allows to install complete and ready-to-use software stacks with a set of console based shell dialogs and scripts.

The source code is hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/MichaIng/DietPi

Please, keep in mind that the usual story "other boards don't have decent Linux support/community" is simply not true. Here are Armbian and DietPi pages where you can find images with mainline support for a lot of common boards, including forums. Images supplied by the board manufacturer should rather be intended for quick testing only as you can't count on their support; just ignore them and go straight to Armbian or DietPi sites, and consider contributing for their hard work.

https://www.armbian.com/download/

https://dietpi.com/#download

Dietpi[0] is pretty good (debian-based) distro that works out of the box with minimal configuration.

It was originally designed for a RPi's (I think), but it's expanded to tons of other devices. Here you can see a benchmark of each supported device and decide yourself what you want to go for[1].

0: https://dietpi.com/#download

1: https://dietpi.com/survey/#benchmark

DietPi is a lightweight Debian based Linux distribution for SBCs and server systems, with the option to install desktop environments, too. It ships as minimal image but allows to install complete and ready-to-use software stacks with a set of console based shell dialogs and scripts.

The source code is hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/MichaIng/DietPi

That's a good point, but the array of devices supported by the DietPi team is extensive: https://dietpi.com/

Before someone starts the usual yadda yadda about the RPi biger community, the OS not having long time support etc. I would repeat one more time: do not rely on board vendor supplied images; this is valid for pretty much all boards. Just go to Armbian or DietPi pages and you'll almost certainly find one or more images that work on your board and forums to discuss about them with very knowledgeable people.

https://www.armbian.com/download/

https://dietpi.com/#download

Those projects are well worth a contribution, as they don't have a giant like Broadcom behind them.