Certainly seems interesting and I’ll likely be preordering to test my collection of custom pi code/scripts/automations. But it’s sad to see the loss of the $35 1GB version replaced with the $60 4GB version. It’s not substantially more expensive and is certainly a better value, but with the abundance of similarly priced, similarly specced SBCs on the market today, this launch doesn’t feel as impactful as it otherwise might.

Oh yeah that’s a great alternate option too if your mobile plan includes tethering. I’ve successfully used both Android and iOS tethering in the past and it was pretty seemless each time.

Wi-Fi drivers are notoriously complicated on Linux in general, though things have been improving. But yeah if ‘iwctl device list’ comes up empty when you plan to use Wi-Fi to install Arch, especially if Ethernet isn’t a viable temporary alternative because your device doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you’re in for a tough time.

Those aren’t really the same apps between the two systems, even if most of them still have the same names. Not only do the modem versions have more features, but they also have updated designs, window chrome, and use more secure underpinnings.

Compare the boot times, network speeds, ease and speed of installing new software, and security of the same old vs. new systems, and the new stuff will come out on top every time.