I've read that this module will only work with Android and not with the typical Linux distributions. I don't know how old this message was so please report back if it works or not.

This was really putting me off because I need an ethernet port to control my mount and I don't want to add a switch or hub on top.

You are right there are reports of the rock wifi module not working, so I will let you know if it does. However this a board mounted module. I have also ordered from Amazon a COMFAST Mini WLAN USB Stick ..600MBIT. The Armbian RockPro64 site includes this particular dongle and others in a range of "Tested 3rd Party hardware" In fact it includes quite a few others too. So I am hoping it works.

Can I ask where you got the Rock64 Pro for $79 as the cheapest I can find is from China at $135, or Amazon here in the U.K. at £117.. ?. :0

This looks like another good option as an upgrade, has USB 3 and USB C, and only 3.8” square, 4gb RAM and built in 64gb eMMc, and has full WIN 10, but that could be replaced with Linux..

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GVG3Q4Z/ref=sspa_...fd-17483dcc3099&th=1

Thanks to Wouter (WVREEVEN) I got a Minisforum Mini PC.
www.minisforum.com/view/46.html
It's 12x12cm. 12V. WIFI/Bluetooth, 64GB MMC included.
Comes with Windows 10 pre-installed but supports Ubuntu (they have a Win 10 image to restore on their forum).
There is one additional USB2 port under cover - to stick a better WIFI adapter or a flash drive.

After a couple of iterations I got it up an running with Ubuntu Mate 18.04.
The most difficult part for me was to get VNC to auto-start. Used X11VNC.
Also,
WIFI doesn't work by default - one needs to download a fix from their forum.
The unit doesn't boot without an HDMI monitor attached - one needs to download an updated BIOS from their forum to fix it.

Now my ZWO ASI294 runs at 6-7 frames per second in Live View instead of 0.8 on RPI thanks to USB3.
The system on the whole is considerably faster than RPI.
Will try it in the field on Friday.

Max

Good to read you have it fully operational now Max! I'll be looking forward to your field test on Friday.


Clear skies, Wouter

Yes, I got my stuff from the Pine64 store . I paid for express shipping for my first order and then standard for the second. Standard shipping was faster. I ordered on june 3rd, it shipped on June 14 and arrived today June 19.

For the VNC server I used precisely the same instructions that Wouter quoted above, including the difficulty with autoboot.

Well the one I linked to above Is far smaller and cheaper... with same spec..

If you select 4Gb/64Gb option, the price will be about the same.
There is a lot of similar devices available @ amazon with essentially the same hardware.
Minisforums's one is quite popular and seems to have at least some kind of support.
They built a custom BIOS for Wouter.

Let's refine that statement a bit. MinisForum produced an improved BIOS based on my input. Needless to say I am very grateful for that


Wouter

Well yeah... It was a good practice/exercise...
I am staying with RPI/Stellarmate for now.

MinisForum Mini PC (surprisingly) feels slower than RPI overall.
USB3 of course is faster (10 times faster) but it doesn't make a lot of a difference.
(might get rid of the amp glow for some though)
Plate solving is also faster but not much.

Stellarmate is rock solid, well maintained and just works without much fiddling.

Thanks for helping!