Minimum Requirements
x86-64 / i686
Processor: Pentium II or newer (i586 for 32-bit, x86-64 for 64-bit)Memory: 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)Storage: 1 GB available spaceFirmware: BIOS or UEFI
ARM64
Processor: ARMv8-A or newerMemory: 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)Storage: 1 GB available spaceFirmware: U-Boot or UEFI
Recommended Specifications
For the best experience running Redox OS with Orbital desktop environment:- Desktop
- Server
- Processor: Dual-core x86-64 CPU (Core 2 Duo or equivalent)
- Memory: 2-4 GB RAM
- Storage: 2 GB available space
- Graphics: BIOS VESA or UEFI GOP compatible (Intel integrated graphics recommended)
- Network: Ethernet adapter (Intel e1000 compatible)
- Input: PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse
Architecture Support
Redox OS supports multiple CPU architectures with varying levels of maturity:| Architecture | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| x86-64 | Stable | Primary development platform, full feature support |
| i686 | Stable | 32-bit x86, some memory mapping limitations |
| ARM64 | Experimental | Limited hardware support, UART console working |
| RISC-V 64 | Experimental | Early development stage |
Firmware Requirements
BIOS (Legacy)
BIOS (Legacy)
- Supports i686 and x86-64 architectures
- Uses VESA graphics for display
- May have video mode limitations on some hardware
- PS/2 keyboard and mouse support
UEFI
UEFI
- Supports x86-64 and ARM64 architectures
- Uses GOP (Graphics Output Protocol) for display
- Better hardware compatibility
- Recommended for modern systems
U-Boot
U-Boot
- Supports ARM64 architecture
- Used for embedded devices like Raspberry Pi
- UART serial console support
Virtual Machine Requirements
QEMU
QEMU is the recommended virtualization platform for testing Redox OS.
- i586: 1 CPU core, 1024 MB RAM
- x86-64: 4 CPU cores, 2048 MB RAM
- ARM64: 1-4 CPU cores, 2048 MB RAM
- RISC-V 64: 4 CPU cores, 2048 MB RAM
- KVM acceleration (on Linux with matching host/guest architecture)
- HVF acceleration (on macOS with matching host/guest architecture)
- VirtIO or NVMe storage for better performance
- Intel HDA audio (or AC’97 for i586)
- e1000 network adapter
VirtualBox
VirtualBox configuration:- Memory: 2048 MB RAM
- Video Memory: 32 MB VRAM
- Storage: SATA controller (Intel AHCI)
- Network: Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)
- Audio: Intel HD Audio
- Input: PS/2 keyboard and mouse
Storage Requirements
Disk Types
Redox supports several storage interfaces:- NVMe - Default for modern systems (recommended)
- AHCI/SATA - Good compatibility for most systems
- IDE - Legacy support for older hardware (i686)
- VirtIO - Optimized for virtual machines
- USB Storage - Supported but may have compatibility issues
- SD Card - Supported for ARM devices
Filesystem
Redox uses RedoxFS as its default filesystem, which requires:- Minimum 256 MB partition
- Recommended 1 GB or more for desktop installations
Network Requirements
Supported Network Adapters
- Intel e1000 (most compatible)
- Realtek RTL8139
- VirtIO-net (virtual machines)
- USB network adapters (experimental)
Graphics Requirements
Supported Graphics
- BIOS VESA - Standard VGA (640x480 to 1920x1080)
- UEFI GOP - Graphics Output Protocol (various resolutions)
- VirtIO GPU - Virtual machine graphics (recommended for VMs)
Unsupported Graphics
Redox currently relies on firmware-provided graphics modes (VESA/GOP) rather than native GPU drivers.Input Device Requirements
Supported Input Devices
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Not Supported
- PS/2 keyboards (full support)
- USB keyboards (varying compatibility)
- Standard layouts recommended
For best compatibility, use PS/2 input devices or standard USB HID devices.
Hardware Limitations
Be aware of these current limitations when selecting hardware:Checking Your Hardware
Before installing Redox, check the Hardware Compatibility page to see if your specific device has been tested. You can also:- Try running Redox in a virtual machine first
- Boot the live ISO to test without installing
- Check the community hardware database for similar devices