how free software is computer rock64?
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https://pine64.org/devices/rock64/
how free software is the computer? Thanks.
It looks like its Mali 450 GPU is supported by the Lima drivers:
I also recall rockpro64 being a similar case.
It has RK3399 which can be used without blobs if I recall correctly.
So all devices on the computer have free software support? Do you
know a free software system for the computer?
> So all devices on the computer have free software support?
I suspect RAM initialization requires a binary blob, otherwise RK3328 would probably be listed there:
https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/single-board-computers
"More recent Rockchip devices require nonfree blobs in order to boot."
I am a translator!
https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware/Rock64 says "Non-free blobs required: No". Even though Debian policy is now to install the "needed" non-free firmware, this page dates from before the change of policy, so if it was fully functional without non-free firmware, I don't see how it could no more be the case.
There are Debian images ready to use, so I suppose you could put u-boot to the SPI flash and install Debian only with free software. https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/PINE64/ROCK64 provides a link to SD card images.
If that works, I don't know whether, with this u-boot in the SPI flash and using debootstrap, it would be feasible to install Trisquel.
That may require closer examination.
"If things go well, you will see that when you compile u-boot, no non-free blobs are needed, and it should just work with linux-libre. That's how you know your board doesn't need non-free blobs. (Some rockchip boards unfortunately require u-boot to be compiled with a non-free blob inserted, but still work with linux-libre)"
I cannot offer assistance with the Rock64, as I do not have the hardware. However, regarding the RockPro64, I can provide the following information: on the RockPro64, you can use 100% free software without any proprietary blobs or backdoors (such as Intel ME or AMD PSP). It is freer than ThinkPads running GNU Boot, as those still rely on an integrated controller that is proprietary, whereas the RockPro64 works without any proprietary components at all.
That being said, the device does include some blobs by default. However, it is relatively simple to remove them, and doing so does not result in any loss of functionality. You can find instructions on how to remove these blobs here: [1]. In fact, I have previously provided instructions to the libreCMC community (and will simply redirect them to the aforementioned article), and they now officially support both the RockPro64 and the NanoPi R4S (which is based on the RK3399 chipset) [2]. This should indicate that the RockPro64 is free enough to be used with a distribution that adheres to the GNU FSDG, such as libreCMC.
[1] https://stikonas.eu/wordpress/2019/09/15/blobless-boot-with-rockpro64/
[2] https://gogs.librecmc.org/libreCMC/libreCMC/issues/171
> RockPro64, you can use 100% free software
If you are looking for a free software single board computer would you recommend the rockpro64 4gb computer? Are there free software gnulinux systems available for the computer?
Are there better free software computers for sale than the rockpro64 4gb computer?
If you add an emmc card to the rockpro64 4gb computer does it create free software issues?
Can the rockpro64 4gb computer boot from pcie?
> does include some blobs
Where are those located? On chips on the rockpro64 4gb computer?
> If you are looking for a free software single board computer would you recommend the rockpro64 4gb computer? Are there free software gnulinux systems available for the computer?
Yes, I would recommend the RockPro64 if you are interested in free software. It was the reason I bought it specifically. I do not use hardware that cannot be free. Any GNU/Linux distribution that supports aarch64 is available for the RockPro64, including those that adhere to the GNU FSDG and support aarch64. I don't know how much you know about GNU/Linux, but almost all distributions are very similar to each other (ignoring software freedom, which is the most important thing to me), with only a few differences, such as the package manager, the system init, and a few other details.
With that in mind, as long as the distribution offers a version for aarch64, it can be easily installed on the RockPro64. There is no need for "official support" from the team behind the distribution specifically for the RockPro64.
> Are there better free software computers for sale than the rockpro64 4gb computer?
If we are talking about computers in general, the Talos II would be better in terms of power but worse in terms of energy consumption. However, I believe you are specifically referring to SBCs (Single Board Computers): in that aspect, I have yet to find a better SBC for free software with higher power.
But they are working on it: the source code for the ARM Trusted Firmware of other RockChip SoCs has appeared [1].
Until recently, the ARM Trusted Firmware contained the RK3399 (used in the RockPro64) and I believe one more, but now there are quite a few: rk3288, rk3328, rk3368, rk3568, rk3588. The last two have more power than the 3399.
The fact that these have appeared does not mean that the new SBCs using them will work with entirely free software. For starters, it would need to be tested if removing the blobs in those SoCs that are not the 3399 still allows them to function. Moreover, it is possible that the motherboards implementing these SoCs have other blobs. In the case of the RockPro64, the rk3399 works perfectly even after removing the blobs in the ARM Trusted Firmware, and the SBC functions without requiring blobs or containing backdoors/other firmware (except if you use the "official" WiFi network card, more information after).
Add that in the case of the rk3588, some of its blobs are essential for the moment, but they are being free'd, as you can see here [2].
Therefore, I would buy the RockPro64 because it is the only one that is 100% free as of today. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe in a few months or years, a board with the rk3588, for example, will be fully liberated (though, as I’ve mentioned, it’s not just about freeing the blobs from the ARM Trusted Firmware; the board could have other blobs that would also need to be removed). The interesting thing about the RockPro64 is that, in addition to being able to remove the blobs from the ARM Trusted Firmware, no other blobs are needed at all (except for the "official" WiFi card).
> If you add an emmc card to the rockpro64 4gb computer does it create free software issues?
No, there is no problem. The card appears as just another device in /dev/ and works with Linux-libre.
> Can the rockpro64 4gb computer boot from pcie?
That's something you should look up in the Pine64 forums, as I can't be of much help. I have used PCIe, but I believe booting from it had some complications, and I avoided doing so (although I've read that it's possible, I can't confirm it firsthand).
> Where are those located? On chips on the rockpro64 4gb computer?
The blobs are specifically located in the ARM Trusted Firmware required to boot any system on the RockPro64, but they can be easily removed; you'll just need to compile the ARM Trusted Firmware yourself. To remove them, I recommend the article [3].
Additionally, the WiFi card, which is sold separately and can be connected to dedicated pins on the motherboard for this purpose, also requires blobs. I recommend not purchasing it and using a USB WiFi card if you find it necessary.
[1] https://github.com/ARM-software/arm-trusted-firmware/tree/master/plat/rockchip
[2] https://www.collabora.com/news-and-blog/blog/2024/02/21/almost-a-fully-open-source-boot-chain-for-rockchips-rk3588/
[3] https://stikonas.eu/wordpress/2019/09/15/blobless-boot-with-rockpro64/