I'm trying to transform my Raspberry Pi 4B with 4GB of RAM into a full desktop experience, but I've run into some issues. I previously tried Raspberry Pi OS, but I encountered several bugs and found it lacking in features like window tiling. I'm not a fan of Ubuntu due to its reliance on snaps, which just doesn't fit my needs. What I'm looking for is a stable operating system that uses APT, has excellent driver support, and works well for my workflow, which includes YouTube, VSCode, and full-stack web development using the MERN stack. Also, I'm a fan of the XFCE desktop environment! Any suggestions?
8 Answers
You might find that trying to use a Raspberry Pi as a full PC replacement isn't the best idea. There are better options out there that can give you more value for the money. Just my two cents!
Raspbian might be worth a shot. It’s pretty reliable and has most of what typical users need.
I tried using both Ubuntu Desktop and PiOS, but honestly, they felt way too slow for my needs. Might not be the best fit if you're looking for speed and performance.
What about DietPi or plain Debian? Both are quite solid and should meet your needs.
Since Raspberry Pi OS is based on Debian, you can easily use Debian packages. That could be a solid route if you're comfortable with it.
For a more customized experience, consider Gentoo. You can specifically install the drivers you need for your Pi and compile them directly into the kernel, making it a very efficient setup. Just be ready for some extra configuration! For a user interface, XFCE or Maté could work well since they're lightweight but functional. Perfect for performance without all the fluff!
Have you considered Armbian? I use it on my Android TV boxes, and it works great for me. Just a heads-up, the WiFi setup can be a little tricky, but it’s totally worth it once you get it going!
Honestly, there isn't really a 'perfect OS'. I've got multiple Pis and while they are fun for tinkering, they don't quite cut it as desktop PCs. Even a budget mini PC would perform much better. Also, I'm curious why Ubuntu's snap feature bothers you. You can actually disable snaps if that’s a concern—I've been using Ubuntu for years and it's served me well.
If all you're doing is browsing or writing documents, Ubuntu can handle that just fine. Sure, it's not as quick as a traditional laptop or desktop, but it's definitely usable.
I run Armbian on my Pi Zero 2W and it's fantastic! Setting up WiFi is simple—just add your SSID and credentials in the /etc/netplan/armbian.yaml file. Done!