> My understanding is if you compile the essential drivers you need for boot in the kernel (not as modules), then you don't need the initramfs step. Correct. W

> My understanding is if you compile the essential drivers you need for boot in the kernel (not as modules), then you don't need the initramfs step. Correct. When I ran Funtoo I did that so I can tell you it works. > Should result in faster boot. Possibly, but you should test. I expect it to work so long as you only bake in drivers needed for boot; if you include more then it could theoretically slow things down vs lazy-loading later.