I want to learn the ARM architecture and migrate some of my computing to it, with the option to go all the way down to ARM assembly language and machine code for e.g. firmware (I'm already somewhat familiar with x86 asm and machine code,) and compatible with common ARM systems like phones, Pine64's SBCs and Raspberry Pis. I am under the impression that a strong ARM laptop would be the most flexible and convenient way to do this (so I don't have to cross-compile/emulate, etc) and the Pinebook Pro appears to be the best on the market for the purpose, especially since I could just run the laptop right next to any other ARM hardware I later acquire as a portable development system. Second opinions?
I'd like to run a hypervisor like Xen so I can run multiple ARM-compatible OSes simultaneously for maximum flexibility. I see various other ARM laptops on the market but the PBP seems to be the most suited to the widest variety of software and hardware development? Would natively building and testing Android and iPhone code on this sort of setup be realistic, or only more open platforms like Armbian? A pair of A72s should produce quick compile times for small- to mid-sized software projects, right? I'm also looking to migrate away from Security-Through-Obscurity Black-Box Intrusion Systems like "Microsoft Pluton," "Intel Management Engine," and "AMD Secure Technology." The Rockchip RK3399 seems to have no ARM TrustZone or similar technologies in it and that is likely a positive for my purposes, unless it's the only performance-efficient way to get the necessary virtualization to support a FOSS hypervisor like Xen?
The USB-C port is also a major draw most ARM systems lack. Seems like it's limited to 15W? - can the most recent batch run entirely off a 15 or 60W+ USB-C power source with a dead and/or disconnected battery? That would be highly desirable. If not, is there any way to run with a dead battery, like connecting both the included power brick and a USB-C power source at the same time? If still not, is there a viable way I could get 2 batteries and swap them as needed, charging one outside the laptop, short of buying 2 PBPs? And does the current batch USB-C port support any other USB alt-modes like Thunderbolt or HDMI?
Recommendations of companion hardware, software and configurations towards these goals welcome.
(Hardware and Software) "Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings." - Optimus Prime and most reasonable life forms
I'd like to run a hypervisor like Xen so I can run multiple ARM-compatible OSes simultaneously for maximum flexibility. I see various other ARM laptops on the market but the PBP seems to be the most suited to the widest variety of software and hardware development? Would natively building and testing Android and iPhone code on this sort of setup be realistic, or only more open platforms like Armbian? A pair of A72s should produce quick compile times for small- to mid-sized software projects, right? I'm also looking to migrate away from Security-Through-Obscurity Black-Box Intrusion Systems like "Microsoft Pluton," "Intel Management Engine," and "AMD Secure Technology." The Rockchip RK3399 seems to have no ARM TrustZone or similar technologies in it and that is likely a positive for my purposes, unless it's the only performance-efficient way to get the necessary virtualization to support a FOSS hypervisor like Xen?
The USB-C port is also a major draw most ARM systems lack. Seems like it's limited to 15W? - can the most recent batch run entirely off a 15 or 60W+ USB-C power source with a dead and/or disconnected battery? That would be highly desirable. If not, is there any way to run with a dead battery, like connecting both the included power brick and a USB-C power source at the same time? If still not, is there a viable way I could get 2 batteries and swap them as needed, charging one outside the laptop, short of buying 2 PBPs? And does the current batch USB-C port support any other USB alt-modes like Thunderbolt or HDMI?
Recommendations of companion hardware, software and configurations towards these goals welcome.
(Hardware and Software) "Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings." - Optimus Prime and most reasonable life forms