> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/redox-os/redox/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# System Requirements

> Minimum and recommended system requirements for running Redox OS

Redox OS can run on a variety of hardware configurations. This page outlines the system requirements for different architectures and use cases.

## Minimum Requirements

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="x86-64 / i686" icon="microchip">
    **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 space

    **Firmware:** BIOS or UEFI
  </Card>

  <Card title="ARM64" icon="cpu">
    **Processor:** ARMv8-A or newer

    **Memory:** 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)

    **Storage:** 1 GB available space

    **Firmware:** U-Boot or UEFI
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Recommended Specifications

For the best experience running Redox OS with Orbital desktop environment:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Desktop">
    * **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
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Server">
    * **Processor:** Single or multi-core x86-64 CPU
    * **Memory:** 1-2 GB RAM
    * **Storage:** 1 GB available space
    * **Network:** Ethernet adapter (Intel e1000 compatible)
    * **Serial:** UART console (optional, for headless operation)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## 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

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="UEFI">
    * Supports x86-64 and ARM64 architectures
    * Uses GOP (Graphics Output Protocol) for display
    * Better hardware compatibility
    * Recommended for modern systems
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="U-Boot">
    * Supports ARM64 architecture
    * Used for embedded devices like Raspberry Pi
    * UART serial console support
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Virtual Machine Requirements

### QEMU

<Info>
  QEMU is the recommended virtualization platform for testing Redox OS.
</Info>

**Minimum QEMU configuration:**

* **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

**Recommended QEMU options:**

* 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

<Warning>
  USB support in VirtualBox should be disabled for better compatibility.
</Warning>

## 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

<Card title="Supported Network Adapters" icon="network-wired">
  * Intel e1000 (most compatible)
  * Realtek RTL8139
  * VirtIO-net (virtual machines)
  * USB network adapters (experimental)
</Card>

<Warning>
  **Not Supported:**

  * Wi-Fi adapters
  * Bluetooth
</Warning>

## 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

<Warning>
  The following GPU types are not yet supported:

  * AMD Radeon GPUs
  * NVIDIA GeForce GPUs
  * ARM Mali GPUs
  * PowerVR GPUs
</Warning>

Redox currently relies on firmware-provided graphics modes (VESA/GOP) rather than native GPU drivers.

## Input Device Requirements

### Supported Input Devices

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Keyboard">
    * PS/2 keyboards (full support)
    * USB keyboards (varying compatibility)
    * Standard layouts recommended
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mouse">
    * PS/2 mice (full support)
    * USB mice (varying compatibility)
    * Standard HID-compliant devices
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Not Supported">
    * I2C touchpads (most laptop trackpads)
    * Touchscreens
    * Gaming controllers
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  For best compatibility, use PS/2 input devices or standard USB HID devices.
</Info>

## Hardware Limitations

Be aware of these current limitations when selecting hardware:

<Warning>
  * **ACPI support is incomplete** - Some systems may not boot properly
  * **USB support varies** - Not all USB devices are recognized
  * **No I2C support** - Laptop trackpads typically won't work
  * **Limited audio support** - Intel HDA and AC'97 only
  * **No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth**
  * **No discrete GPU support**
</Warning>

## Checking Your Hardware

Before installing Redox, check the [Hardware Compatibility](/hardware/compatibility) page to see if your specific device has been tested.

You can also:

1. Try running Redox in a virtual machine first
2. Boot the live ISO to test without installing
3. Check the [community hardware database](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/base/-/blob/main/drivers/COMMUNITY-HW.md) for similar devices