System Requirements for Bluefin Linux#
Basic Requirements:
- An x86_64 (AMD64) processor (Intel or AMD CPU from the last ~10 years)
- UEFI boot mode (supported by most laptops made after 2012; BIOS/Legacy mode is NOT supported)
- 8GB+ RAM recommended for general use
GPU Compatibility:
- Intel or AMD graphics → use standard Bluefin
- NVIDIA graphics → use the
nvidia-openvariant
Special Cases:
- Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) or Snapdragon ARM laptops → only the LTS variant works, with some limitations
- Very old laptops (pre-2013) may have BIOS-only boot and are not supported
If your laptop currently runs Windows 10/11, it will almost certainly run Bluefin.
USB Size#
A 16 GB USB drive is the minimum, but 32 GB is recommended for a comfortable safety margin. The installed system is 12–18 GB depending on the variant.
Step-by-Step: How to Install Bluefin on a USB Drive#
Step 1: Download the ISO
- Go to download.projectbluefin.io
- Choose Standard Bluefin (Intel/AMD) or Bluefin NVIDIA as appropriate
Step 2: Get a USB Writing Tool (on Windows)
- Fedora Media Writer (recommended for beginners)
- Balena Etcher
- Rufus
Step 3: Write the ISO to USB
- Insert your USB drive
- Open your USB writing tool
- Select the downloaded Bluefin ISO
- Select your USB drive as the target
- Click "Write" or "Flash" and wait for completion
Step 4: Boot from USB
- Restart your laptop
- Enter the boot menu (usually F12, F2, or Esc during startup)
- Ensure UEFI mode is enabled in BIOS settings
- Select your USB drive from the boot menu
Step 5: Try or Install
- You'll boot into a live desktop where you can test WiFi, display, etc.
- When ready, click the installer icon — installation takes about 20 minutes
After First Boot (if Secure Boot is enabled):
- You'll see a blue screen prompting you to enroll a security key
- Select "Enroll MOK" and enter the password:
universalblue
