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Raspberry Pi: Canonical finally brings Ubuntu Desktop to the popular single-board computer

The Raspberry Pi 4 can now run Ubuntu Desktop. (Image source: Raspberry Pi Foundation & Canonical)
The Raspberry Pi 4 can now run Ubuntu Desktop. (Image source: Raspberry Pi Foundation & Canonical)
Canonical has brought Ubuntu Desktop to the Raspberry Pi. The humble single-board computer can now be pre-loaded with Ubuntu 20.10, albeit only on the Raspberry Pi 4.

The Raspberry Pi 2, 3 and 4 have supported Ubuntu Server and Serve LTS for a while now, but Canonical has finally brought Ubuntu Desktop to the most-popular brand of single-board computers. The Raspberry Pi ecosystem is now short of OSes, but Ubuntu Desktop is a major feather in the cap of the Raspberry Pi.

Canonical has published a how-to on getting Ubuntu Desktop 20.10 running your Raspberry Pi, but there are some catches. Firstly, you will need a Raspberry Pi 4, rather than the Raspberry Pi 2 or Raspberry Pi 3. Secondly, you will need a Raspberry Pi with at least 4 GB of RAM, leaving the 8 GB SKU as the only additional choice. You will also need the other pre-requisites for loading an OS onto a Raspberry Pi, like a microSD card, but Canonical's how-to offers a full run-through on installing Ubuntu Desktop 20.10 should you need one.

Canonical recommends using Raspberry Pi Imager to prepare the microSD card, which is available on Linux, macOS and Windows. Optionally, you could boot Ubuntu Desktop 20.10 from USB, which could be useful if you want to install the OS on an SSD or HDD. Ubuntu Desktop 20.10 is available to download now for free.

Buy it now on Amazon - Raspberry SC15184 Pi 4 Model B 2019

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 10 > Raspberry Pi: Canonical finally brings Ubuntu Desktop to the popular single-board computer
Alex Alderson, 2020-10-24 (Update: 2021-09-28)