Any distribution should work, so long as it uses kernel mode setting for graphics. We recommend using distributions that are entirely free software; most distros out there have proprietary software in them, but the ones that we recommend do not have proprietary software by default.
Note: we are not the Free Software Foundation. The recommendations here consist of both FSF-endorsed and non-FSF-endorsed distros. Some of these distributions wrongly call the whole system Linux. Despite libreboot's stance against the GNU project, we still agree with the free software philosophy and we still want you to call the whole system GNU+Linux, since this is the technically correct name for the system.
Many FSF-endorsed GNU+Linux distributions are considered unfit
for general use by the libreboot project.
You can read about their problems here:
Why we can't endorse many FSF-endorsed distributions.
Most of the developers use it (Leah Rowe always uses testing releases of Debian). We recommend Debian stable releases for most users. If you want to do development, e.g. libreboot development, then you should use the testing release of Debian.
Debian by default comes without non-free software in the default installation or repos. There is a non-free repo that's not added by default. Just avoid adding this, and you should have a fully free system.
We recommend using the MATE desktop.
Devuan is a fork of Debian that does not use the controversial systemd init system.
See: https://www.devuan.org/os/init-freedom/.
We recommend using the MATE desktop.
Security-focussed distribution. It makes heavy use of IOMMU and hardware virtualization to separate running applications, along with other security features. Provides a full hypervisor for running applications.
Also heavily in favour of adoption of both Libreboot and Coreboot.
Of all available Libreboot systems, Qubes is currently only known to be compatible with the ASUS KGPE-D16 and KCMA-D8, due to the hardware virtualization requirement (and even on those boards, only certain CPUs have fully functional virtualization in Libreboot).
Fully free distribution, with a focus on simple package management and configuration. Experienced users might like this distro. It also has native support for multiple languages.
Fully free bleeding edge distribution, based on the Arch distribution. Good for saavy users and developers in general (some libreboot developers use this).
Arch users, refer to the Parabola migration guide.
We recommend using the MATE desktop.
Copyright © 2016 Leah Rowe <info@minifree.org>
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license
or any later version published by Creative Commons;
A copy of the license can be found at ../cc-by-sa-4.0.txt
Updated versions of the license (when available) can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode
UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.