Intel Galileo can be programmed through OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux host operating software.

Designed in Ireland, the Quark SoC X1000 is a 32-bit, single core, single-thread, Pentium (P54C/i586) instruction set architecture (ISA)-compatible CPU, operating at speeds up to 400 MHz.

The Quark is seen by some as Intel's answer to ARM, the processor design featured in smartphones and other single-board computers.

[9] It is more powerful than the older Galileo Gen 2, featuring a 1.2 GHz CPU and 1 GB RAM.

The support for PCI Express means that Wifi, Bluetooth or GSM cards can be plugged in to the board.

Microsoft cited hardware concerns,[13] with some specifically attributing it to the low clock speed of the Galileo.

Although this version (Yocto 1.4 Poky Linux) has very limited features (e.g. it does not include a Wi-Fi module), it does not require any storage devices to be added.

In an effort to boost the ecosystem of their Quark architecture, Intel gave away 50,000 Galileo Gen 1's when it was launched.

[13][14] While it is unclear what effect this had on the sales numbers of the boards, it meant that developers creating projects for Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core had to move to Raspberry Pi 2 or 3.

[13] On 16 June 2017 Intel announced that the 'End of Life' and last shipment date for the Galileo range is 16 December 2017.