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Understanding Linux' advantages for digital signage
Linux has a long-standing reputation for stability, flexibility, and performance - and that carries through when you use it as the foundation for a digital signage deployment. It’s a strong fit for teams that want predictable uptime, efficient hardware usage, and a system that stays out of the way once it’s set up.
Because Fugo distributes through Snap, installations stay consistent across distributions and handle updates cleanly - no broken dependencies or manual patching required.
Whether you're managing a handful of players or scaling to dozens, Linux gives you a lean, robust base that doesn't need constant babysitting.
Here are a few of the key reasons teams choose to run digital signage on Linux:
Stability and uptime
Kernel-level reliability means fewer random reboots and more predictable memory behavior, which matters for displays expected to run 24/7 without intervention.Performance on modest hardware
Linux generally requires fewer system resources than OSs built for desktop use. That translates to smoother rendering, faster boots, and longer life out of your devices - especially when paired with SSD storage and recent Intel or AMD graphics.Snap packaging = clean installs
With Snap, Fugo bundles all its dependencies and manages updates automatically in the background. You won’t run into broken libraries or version conflicts, even across different distros.Remote access and low-touch maintenance
SSH access makes remote debugging straightforward. Snap’s rollback system gives you a safety net in case of failed updates. And because you’re not tied to a GUI, headless operation is easy to support.Open-source and license-free
Linux doesn’t require OS licensing or activation fees, which keeps costs down, especially when deploying at scale. And thanks to its efficiency, you won’t need high-end devices to get reliable performance.
If you’re already familiar with Linux, you’ll likely appreciate how hands-off it becomes once everything’s in place. And if you’re not? Fugo’s Snap-based setup makes it surprisingly easy to get started.
Minimum system requirements
Fugo runs on a wide range of modern Linux machines, but there are a few important things to keep in mind when selecting hardware—especially for reliable Snap support and smooth media performance.
Minimum specs for signage playback
CPU: 64-bit x86 processor (2-core minimum; 4 cores recommended)
RAM: 4GB minimum (6GB+ recommended for heavy content or multi-zone layouts)
Storage: 32GB minimum (64GB+ preferred to account for Snap and content cache)
Graphics: Hardware-accelerated video decode with VA-API or VDPAU
Network: Wired Ethernet or reliable WiFi for software and content updates
Snap-specific considerations
Snapd must be available (supported on most major Linux distros)
Additional storage overhead required for Snap runtimes
Ensure adequate
/tmpspace for Snap mount operationsAppArmor or similar security modules should be enabled
For best results, we recommend using Ubuntu LTS or another Snap-friendly distro (see full distro notes below).
Component | Recommended |
CPU | 64-bit x86 (2 cores minimum, 4 preferred) |
RAM | 4 GB minimum (6 GB+ recommended) |
Storage | 32 GB minimum (64 GB+ for caching & Snap overhead) |
Graphics | Hardware-accelerated decode support (VA-API/VDPAU) |
Network | Ethernet or WiFi (needed for updates & content delivery) |
Supported & recommended devices
💡 Looking for help choosing? Start with a device that’s already certified for Ubuntu LTS and offers good driver support for Intel or AMD graphics.
Intel-based systems
Recommended
These devices have been tested extensively with Fugo’s Snap-based player and consistently deliver strong performance for digital signage workloads.
Intel NUC series (11th gen and newer)
Compact, power-efficient media players with strong thermal performance and Snap certification across many models. Models like the NUC 11 Performance and NUC 12 Pro (“Wall Street Canyon”) are excellent choices.Dell OptiPlex Micro series
Enterprise-grade reliability in a small form factor. Ubuntu-certified with long-term availability - ideal for teams managing large fleets. We recommend models like the OptiPlex 7010 Micro and OptiPlex 3000 Micro.
Supported (with caveats)
These systems are generally supported but may require more upfront testing.
Generic Intel-based mini-PCs
Performance and driver compatibility can vary depending on the vendor. Stick to newer Intel chips (10th gen and up), and verify Snap installation works cleanly. Some models may require manual configuration for VA-API hardware decoding.
Recommended models:
Beelink U59 Pro
Minisforum NPB5
AMD-based systems
Recommended
Modern AMD systems offer excellent open-source driver support and strong multimedia performance with RDNA2+ graphics.
AMD Ryzen-based mini-PCs (5000 series and newer)
Efficient, well-supported systems with good hardware decoding and multi-display capabilities. Look for models with at least 6GB RAM and NVMe storage.
Recommended models:
MINISFORUM UM560 XT (Ryzen 5 5625U)
Beelink GTR6 (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
Supported (with caveats)
Older AMD APU-based devices may still work with Fugo but tend to struggle with heavier content playback or memory usage.
Pre-5000 series AMD systems
You may run into Electron performance bottlenecks or video decode limitations. If using older hardware, we recommend upgrading RAM to 8GB minimum and testing content playback before wide rollout.
Performance notes
Depending on your hardware and content mix, you may want to fine-tune your system setup to get the most out of your Linux-based signage player. Here are some technical notes worth keeping in mind:
Graphics performance
Intel integrated graphics handle 1080p playback well; newer generations are capable of 4K with smooth UI rendering.
AMD RDNA2+ graphics (found in newer Ryzen chips) are excellent for signage, especially for multi-display setups or video-heavy content.
NVIDIA GPUs can work, but Snap sandboxing complicates driver support. Stick to open-source
nouveaudrivers unless you need proprietary acceleration.
Electron-specific quirks
Electron apps like Fugo are more memory-intensive than native signage players. Expect 1–2GB baseline memory use.
Hardware acceleration improves rendering significantly. Avoid underpowered CPUs or poorly supported GPUs.
You can reduce system load by disabling unnecessary Chromium flags or features during setup.
Storage
Snap installations require additional overhead (2–3GB+ for runtime).
Avoid eMMC drives - they often choke under Snap decompression.
SATA SSDs are a minimum; NVMe SSDs offer smoother boot and faster cache access.
Networking
Devices will need occasional internet access for Snap updates and media sync.
For content-heavy networks, consider enabling local caching or staggered updates.
On metered connections, adjust Snap update policies to avoid data overages.
Known issues & troubleshooting tips
HiDPI displays may require manual scaling adjustments in Electron apps.
PulseAudio and PipeWire setups can cause audio interface issues with Snap.
Wayland support is generally solid, but test with your target compositor.
Some hardware access (e.g. GPIO, advanced media features) may require AppArmor profile tweaks.
Snap automatic updates can be paused or scheduled - helpful for 24/7 setups that can't reboot during business hours.
Distro-specific guidance
Most modern Linux distributions can run Fugo if they support Snap but not all offer equal experience or stability. Here's what we recommend:
Best choices
Ubuntu LTS (20.04, 22.04)
Full Snap integration, predictable updates, and great community support.Fedora (38+)
Works well, though Snap must be installed manually. Fast kernel releases are helpful for newer hardware.openSUSE Leap
Stable base, good hardware support. Snap needs to be added manually, but it’s reliable once set up.
Use with caution
Rolling release distros (e.g. Arch, Manjaro):
May break Snap dependencies unexpectedly.Lightweight embedded distros (e.g. Alpine):
Often missing required packages for Snap and Fugo.Distros without
snapd:
Not supported unless Snap is manually installed and confirmed stable.
Setup guide
For instructions on how to set up Fugo on ChromeOS devices, see this guide.
Other hardware
For an extensive list such of the other operating systems we support and our recommended hardware directory, please see this article.