Arch Linux

mrconfused

Member

Registered: 2023-06-17

Posts: 38

What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

Hello,

My beloved laptop seems like it may be dying, and I am planning on replacing it with a PC, rather than another laptop.

I prefer to use arch installed on an external SSD, and so I am wondering: Will my external arch install simply work with any new PC, or are there things I need to watch out for or avoid?

I'm guessing that it probably just works, but I'd rather ask a stupid question than make an expensive mistake.

Thanks

Awebb

Member

Registered: 2010-05-06

Posts: 6,688

Re: What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

There is nothing too Arch specific to know in this case. We cannot possibly say whether it will run on ANY new PC, but chances are it does, if your setup isn't too crazy and exotic.

Anecdotal: I've been running Arch off a USB stick for over a decade on a file server, because I want all the SATA ports for HDDs. I never had an issue that came from "OS on USB", but I once had to rebuild the whole thing from backups, because the USB flash drive simply died. You should be fine with a USB SSD. However, I have encountered USB 3 ports that won't work well with Linux and needed some modprobe quirk fixes that were pretty hard to identify.

One thing that could be a problem: I have encountered motherboards that won't allow you to disable secure boot, which could complicate things. Whatever you buy, do some hardware specific research and check if for general Linux compatibility. That doesn't have to be Arch specific.

Whoracle

Member

Registered: 2010-11-02

Posts: 221

Re: What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

Unless your new PC has some exotic hardware in it, it should just run, assuming you get the boot order correct.There might be some leftovers for old hardware on the install, and if the new system has a different GPU you might need to install different GPU drivers, but apart from that it should work.

Worst case you'll get dumped to a tty.

Make sure the new system uses the same boot method - uefi/bios.

The only real problem I'd watch out for is TPM or some other hardware security chips. Do you run LUKS with TPM?

Last edited by Whoracle (2024-06-17 09:41:43)

cryptearth

Member

Registered: 2024-02-03

Posts: 2,185

Re: What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

One thing that could be a problem: I have encountered motherboards that won't allow you to disable secure boot, which could complicate things. Whatever you buy, do some hardware specific research and check if for general Linux compatibility. That doesn't have to be Arch specific.

In such cases it's ususlly required to set a bios password before the secure boot option becomes available.
I've also encountered OEM system which required a service provided by the oem the get a specific unlock code tied to the systems serial.
Either way there're are distributions out there with signed shim and mokmanager to work around such systems - one I know and use is opensuse: when you boot the release iso first time with default microsoft keys the mokmanager triggers and asks to add the opensuse key so the installer can be booted. One can use that as stub to install MO keys to get a self-signed archinstall running.

@OP
It depends on your workload: Although I use AMD only for nearly two decades now others get along with intel and nvidia without issues.
Also: Building your own machines is fun - but if you're not that experienced or need something reliable for productive I would stay away from "gaming" but would focus on regular business stuff: "gaming" stuff isn't any better but often overpriced, sometimes it's even worse than the regular or business stuff.
If you go for pre-built look for a system without windows - why pay for it when you don't use it?
You could go for rackmount systems or small form factor. Retro/oldschool with a full height tower or steampunk-futuristic.

Last edited by cryptearth (2024-06-17 11:06:47)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,638

Re: What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

If you are using an external disk, my guess is that you are not a gamer or are doing any difficult 3D design or rendering.  If so, look seriously at Intel Isis graphics rather than Nvidia.  Intel graphics just work without any drama and have improved dramatically in recent years.  Still, not even close to Nvidia performance, but if you don't need the capability, why endure the headaches.

If you are a gamer or need serious rendering capability, you may want to reconsider your disk interface plan.

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c00ter

Member

From: Alaskan in Washington State

Registered: 2014-08-28

Posts: 421

Re: What do I need to know about using Arch before buying a new PC?

I'd take a good look at *all* components including WiFi/BT and other peripherals. And I second Intel graphics unless you're a hardcore gamer.

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UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things. -- Doug Gwyn