Hello!
I write this especially for new users.
After a years active use I have some notices.
The overall best software for "notebook like" use is the xenial-mate and possibly the latest from here:
https://github.com/ayufan-pine64/linux-build/releases
I'm continuously testing other OSes as well, but only from SD card. They are better and better, but IMHO for production use
mate-xenial is the right choice. Eyes are on Q4OS and Armbian, they are evolving fast. Armbian seems to be the fastest as a desktop for what it does, anyway.
I use my Pinebook for everyday production especially through accessing other computers (x2go, freerdp-x11 and terminal/ssh) over openVPN remote connections. I'm an application developer and GIS expert sometimes working on office documents also. It could all be done on Pinebook.
Browsers (speed, especially heavy javascript pages) are slow. Sylpheed for example is a far better idea to reach your gmail than opening gmail.com in a browser.
Sound, LCD brightness and newer emmc support is ok for me with xenial-mate. Download the latest release yourself from the page above and use Pine Installer or Etcher to put it on an SD. For production use install it to emmc.
BTW: if one could afford it is a good idea to get a 64GB emmc. Fun to replace, could be done at home.
bye
Robert
I write this especially for new users.
After a years active use I have some notices.
The overall best software for "notebook like" use is the xenial-mate and possibly the latest from here:
https://github.com/ayufan-pine64/linux-build/releases
I'm continuously testing other OSes as well, but only from SD card. They are better and better, but IMHO for production use
mate-xenial is the right choice. Eyes are on Q4OS and Armbian, they are evolving fast. Armbian seems to be the fastest as a desktop for what it does, anyway.
I use my Pinebook for everyday production especially through accessing other computers (x2go, freerdp-x11 and terminal/ssh) over openVPN remote connections. I'm an application developer and GIS expert sometimes working on office documents also. It could all be done on Pinebook.
Browsers (speed, especially heavy javascript pages) are slow. Sylpheed for example is a far better idea to reach your gmail than opening gmail.com in a browser.
Sound, LCD brightness and newer emmc support is ok for me with xenial-mate. Download the latest release yourself from the page above and use Pine Installer or Etcher to put it on an SD. For production use install it to emmc.
BTW: if one could afford it is a good idea to get a 64GB emmc. Fun to replace, could be done at home.
bye
Robert