How to Install Armbian on Libre Computer Renegade ROC-Rk3328-CC
The Libre Computer ROC-Rk3328-CC Renegade ranks among the best single-board computers on the market. With a Rochip Rk3328 system-on-a-chip (SoC), the Libre Computer Renegade is a tiny yet powerful single-board computer. To take advantage of its hardware, the right software is necessary. You'll find loads of different operating systems (OSes) for the ROC-Rk3328-CC, from Ubuntu to Debian and even Android images. The Debian-based Armbian is a fantastic Linux ARM release. Learn how to install Armbian on the Libre Computer Renegade ROC-Rk3328-CC for a powerful yet small Linux-powered SBC!
Why You Should Use the Libre Computer Board ROC-Rk3328-CC (Renegade) Mini Computer
With its quad-core ARM Cortex A-53 1.4GHz CPU paired with a Mali-450 GPU featuring OpenGL ES and OpenVG support, the Libre Computer Renegade is a surprisingly powerful device. Packed into its credit card-sized form factor, there's 4K video output support with the ability to decode VP9 P2, H.265, and H.264 videos at 4K60. Plus, it can encode H.265 and H.264 files at 1080p. Outfitted with up to 4GB of DDR4 RAM, the ROC-RK3328-CC Renegade is more than capable at multi-tasking for desktop use. And with its dual USB 2.0 and solitary USB 3.0 headers, there's great connectivity. For internet connectivity, you'll find Gigabit Ethernet as well.
Libre Computer ROC-Rk3328-CC Renegade specs:
- Rockchip Rk3328-CC SoC
- HDMI 2.0 with 4K HDR support
- Up to 4GB DDR4 RAM
- Gigabit Ethernet
- USB 3.0
What is Armbian and Why Should You Use it?
Debian Linux-based Armbian is, as its name suggests, an ARM Linux distribution (distro). It's a minimal Linux distro and by default includes a lightweight XFCE-based desktop environment available. Since it's Debian-based, you can easily install pretty much any Linux application you can imagine, from server programs like Plex and Emby to media players such as Kodi, and everything in between. Because Armbian is lightweight and the base installation eschews a GUI, Armbian makes a great server environment. However, the available desktop environment makes Armbian a solid option for both desktop and server use alike.
What is Armbian: A lightweight Linux for ARM distro
How to Install Armbian on the Libre Computer ROC-Rk3328-CC Renegade
First up head over to the official Armbian website. Navigate to the downloads page, where you can pick from the Armbian Bionic or Armbian Buster distros. For desktop and multimedia PCs, opt for Armbian Bionic. If you're building a server or lightweight desktop, choose Buster.
Once you've downloaded your Armbian Libre Computer Renegade distro of choice, you'll need to mount it to a microSD card. It's a 7Z file, so you may need to decompress the zipped file with a program like 7Zip. Or, you might be able to mount it straight to a microSD card. I was able to mount the zipped image to a microSD card using Etcher.
With your flashed image properly mounted on a microSD card, pop it into your Libre Computer and power it on.
Armbian on the Libre Computer Renegade Review
Where Armbian really shines on the Libre Computer Renegade is its lightweight nature and ease of use. With a small base installation size, Armbian provides a snappy experience. At first boot, you'll need to enter the default Armbian username and password. Those are:
Armbian default login: root
Armbian default password: 1234
After that, you'll be prompted to enter the current password, and create a new one. Enter the current password of 1234, then make a new password, enter that, and confirm your new password.
Next, enter a username. Then, you'll be asked to enter a full name and given the option to select various options such as a room user, plus enter phone numbers. When you're finished, press Y if you're satisfied, or N to re-enter any information.
Utilizing the Libre Computer ROC-RK3328-CC, Armbian was able to handle multiple tabs open at a time and even some streaming media from the likes of YouTube and Plex. The base installer is a mere 3GB and change, pretty tiny and space-saving.
Should You Use Armbian on the Libre Computer Renegade?
I'm definitely a fan of Armbian for the Libre Computer Renegade. Regardless of hardware competency, without polished usable software, it's pointless. Thankfully, Armbian absolutely rocks. It's incredibly lightweight and won't bog down the capable yet modestly spececd out ROC-RK3328-CC Renegade. And it's suitable for a host of different projects, from a media or web server to a desktop, game console, or Internet of Things (IoT) project. Armbian is a great operating system for the Libre Computer Renegade with excellent compatibility and a simple software installation process.
What single-board computers are you using, and what OSes do you prefer on SBCs?
Moe Long is an editor, writer, and tech buff with a particular appreciation for Linux, Raspberry Pis, and retro gaming. Writing online since 2013, Moe has bylines at MakeUseOf, TechBeacon, DZone, SmartHomeBeginner, DEV.to, DVD Netflix, and Electropages. You can read his writings on film and pop culture at Cup of Moe, check out his tech reviews, guides, and tutorials at Tech Up Your Life, and hear his thoughts on movies on the Celluloid Fiends podcast. Aside from writing and editing, Moe has an online course, the Beginner's Guide to Affiliate Blogging From Scratch. When he's not hammering away at his keyboard, he enjoys running, reading, watching cinema, listening to vinyl, and playing with his dog Sebastian.
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