diff --git a/hardware/system-requirements.md b/hardware/system-requirements.md index 5333edbb..c7b89e46 100644 --- a/hardware/system-requirements.md +++ b/hardware/system-requirements.md @@ -17,20 +17,16 @@ redirect_from: * 64-bit Intel or AMD processor (x86\_64 aka x64 aka AMD64) * 4 GB RAM * 32 GB disk space - * Legacy boot mode (required for R3.0 and earlier; UEFI is supported beginning - with R3.1) + * Legacy boot mode (required for R3.0 and earlier; UEFI is supported beginning with R3.1) ### Recommended ### * Fast SSD (strongly recommended) * Intel IGP (strongly preferred) * Nvidia GPUs may require significant [troubleshooting][nvidia]. - * ATI GPUs have not been formally tested (but see the [Hardware Compatibility - List]). - * [Intel VT-x] or [AMD-V] (required for running HVM domains, such as - Windows-based AppVMs) - * [Intel VT-d] or [AMD-Vi (aka AMD IOMMU)] (required for effective isolation of - network VMs) + * ATI GPUs have not been formally tested (but see the [Hardware Compatibility List]). + * [Intel VT-x] or [AMD-V] (required for running HVM domains, such as Windows-based AppVMs) + * [Intel VT-d] or [AMD-Vi (aka AMD IOMMU)] (required for effective isolation of network VMs) * TPM with proper BIOS support (required for [Anti Evil Maid]) ## Qubes Release 4.x ## @@ -48,45 +44,30 @@ redirect_from: * Fast SSD (strongly recommended) * Intel IGP (strongly preferred) * Nvidia GPUs may require significant [troubleshooting][nvidia]. - * ATI GPUs have not been formally tested (but see the [Hardware Compatibility - List]). + * ATI GPUs have not been formally tested (but see the [Hardware Compatibility List]). * TPM with proper BIOS support (required for [Anti Evil Maid]) * A non-USB keyboard or multiple USB controllers * Also consider the [hardware certification requirements for Qubes 4.x]. ## Choosing Hardware ## - * Please see the [Hardware Compatibility List] for a compilation of - hardware reports generated and submitted by users across various Qubes - versions. (For more information about the HCL itself, see [here][hcl-doc]). - * For more certain hardware compatibility, you may wish to consider a - [Qubes-certified laptop]. (For information about how a computer becomes - Qubes-certified, see [Hardware Certification].) + * Please see the [Hardware Compatibility List] for a compilation of hardware reports generated and submitted by users across various Qubes versions. + (For more information about the HCL itself, see [here][hcl-doc].) + * See the [Certified Hardware] page. ## Important Notes ## - * Qubes **can** be installed on systems which do not meet the recommended - requirements. Such systems will still offer significant security - improvements over traditional operating systems, since things like GUI - isolation and kernel protection do not require special hardware. - * Qubes **can** be installed on a USB flash drive or external disk, and testing - has shown that this works very well. A fast USB 3.0 flash drive is - recommended for this. (As a reminder, its capacity must be at least 32 GB.) - Simply plug the flash drive into the computer before booting into the Qubes - installer from a separate installation medium, choose the flash drive as the - target installation disk, and proceed with the installation normally. After - Qubes has been installed on the flash drive, it can then be plugged into - other computers in order to boot into Qubes. In addition to the convenience - of having a portable copy of Qubes, this allows users to test for hardware - compatibility on multiple machines (e.g., at a brick-and-mortar computer - store) before deciding on which computer to purchase. (See [hcl-report] for - advice on hardware compatibility testing.) Keep in mind to also change - assigned devices for your netvm and usbvm, if you move between different - machines. - * There is also a [live USB] option available, which may be even easier for - testing. - * Installing Qubes in a virtual machine is not recommended, as it uses its own - bare-metal hypervisor (Xen). + * Qubes **can** be installed on systems which do not meet the recommended requirements. + Such systems will still offer significant security improvements over traditional operating systems, since things like GUI isolation and kernel protection do not require special hardware. + * Qubes **can** be installed on a USB flash drive or external disk, and testing has shown that this works very well. A fast USB 3.0 flash drive is recommended for this. + (As a reminder, its capacity must be at least 32 GB.) + Simply plug the flash drive into the computer before booting into the Qubes installer from a separate installation medium, choose the flash drive as the target installation disk, and proceed with the installation normally. + After Qubes has been installed on the flash drive, it can then be plugged into other computers in order to boot into Qubes. + In addition to the convenience of having a portable copy of Qubes, this allows users to test for hardware compatibility on multiple machines (e.g., at a brick-and-mortar computer + store) before deciding on which computer to purchase. + (See [hcl-report] for advice on hardware compatibility testing.) + Remember to change the devices assigned to your NetVM and USBVM if you move between different machines. + * Installing Qubes in a virtual machine is not recommended, as it uses its own bare-metal hypervisor (Xen). * Macintosh PCs are not currently supported due to keyboard and mouse problems. (See [#230] for details. Patches welcome!) * [Advice on finding a VT-d capable notebook][vt-d-notebook]. @@ -94,12 +75,11 @@ redirect_from: [nvidia]: /doc/install-nvidia-driver/ [hardware certification requirements for Qubes 4.x]: /news/2016/07/21/new-hw-certification-for-q4/ -[Hardware Certification]: /doc/hardware/#hardware-certification +[Certified Hardware]: /doc/certified-hardware/ [Hardware Compatibility List]: /hcl/ [hcl-doc]: /doc/hcl/ [hcl-report]: /doc/hcl/#generating-and-submitting-new-reports [Anti Evil Maid]: /doc/anti-evil-maid/ -[Qubes-certified laptop]: /doc/hardware/#qubes-certified-laptops [live USB]: /doc/live-usb/ [#230]: https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/230 [vt-d-notebook]: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/qubes-users/Sz0Nuhi4N0o/ZtpJdoc0OY8J