iDesk Getting Started / Platform Guide
Choose where to run iDesk sample projects
Bee Mobile iDesk sample projects can be run on several different platforms. The best choice depends on whether you want a quick local test environment, a Linux-based development setup, or a real embedded target device.
This page briefly compares the available options. Detailed setup instructions for each platform are linked from the main iDesk Getting Started page.
Platform comparison
Available iDesk target platforms
Use this overview to decide which platform-specific guide is relevant for your scenario.
Windows 10 / 11
The recommended first platform for verifying installation and running sample projects directly on the development PC.
- Fastest way to start
- Best for initial testing
- Uses Visual Studio directly
- Not an embedded target
- Does not validate Linux deployment
Ubuntu Linux
Useful when you want to test iDesk sample projects in a Linux desktop environment before moving to embedded hardware.
- Closer to Embedded Linux than Windows
- Good for runtime validation
- Useful for Linux-oriented testing
- Requires Linux runtime setup
- Still not the final embedded device
WSL
Useful for developers working on Windows who also want access to a Linux-like environment.
- Convenient for Windows developers
- No separate Linux PC required
- Good for selected Linux workflow testing
- May differ from a full Linux desktop
- May not represent embedded hardware behavior
F&S boards
Suitable for running iDesk sample projects on real Embedded Linux hardware, especially in Yocto-based operating system builds.
- Real embedded hardware
- Suitable for iDesk deployment validation
- Works well with Yocto-based OS preparation
- Requires board preparation
- Requires Embedded Linux image setup
- More complex than desktop testing
Toradex boards
Suitable for embedded scenarios where runtime environments are prepared using a container-based deployment workflow.
- Real embedded hardware
- Good fit for container-based workflows
- Useful for managed runtime deployment scenarios
- Requires Toradex-specific setup
- Container workflow must be prepared first
- Documentation may depend on board model
If you are new to iDesk, start by installing iDesk and running the sample projects on Windows. After that, continue with Ubuntu, WSL, or embedded board-specific guides depending on your target deployment.