5 of the best operating systems to use your Raspberry Pi as a PC
Switching distros just by swapping microSD cards is an amazing feature if you love building multiple projects with your Raspberry Pi. Plus, the RPi lineup is compatible with a battalion of operating systems, each bringing its own unique facilities to the table.
With the newer Raspberry Pi boards packing more firepower than ever, you can even use them to build a fully-functional PC. So, here’s a quick list of the best operating systems you can pair with your Raspberry Pi-flavored desktop.
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5
Ubuntu
Perfect for newcomers to the Linux space
Often hailed as the most beginner-friendly distribution, Ubuntu is a solid operating system to dip your toes in the Linux ecosystem. It’s stable enough for your SBC projects, has solid learning resources, and pairs exceedingly well with most Raspberry Pi models. Likewise, the app support is fantastic for AArch64 systems like the RPi-series.
Whether you’re part of the Mac/Windows community or have recently switched to Ubuntu and want a familiar UI for your Raspberry Pi machine, Ubuntu won’t let you down. And once you’ve grown accustomed to the quirks of Linux, you can switch to the rest of the distros on this list.
4
Kali Linux
For the coding champs out there
If you’re a pen tester looking for a cheap device to build your cybersecurity workstation, you might be interested in pairing your Raspberry Pi with Kali Linux. The default installation of Kali Linux is armed to the teeth with numerous vulnerability scanners and forensic analysis tools, and you’re free to add even more utilities to your penetration testing and (ethical) hacking machine.
On the flip side, you can also equip your Kali Linux machine with network scanning and firewall utilities to safeguard your home LAN from intruders. Just remember to keep your essential documents away from your Raspberry Pi-powered Kali Linux PC if you plan to use it for your hacking escapades.
3
DietPi
The best option for a Raspberry Pi Zero desktop
Although you can install plenty of operating systems on the low-power Raspberry Pi Zero series, you’ll have to put up with constant freezes, stuttering, and other performance issues. That’s where DietPi comes in handy with its minimal resource usage.
While the default version of DietPi uses a command-line interface, you’re free to outfit the distro with your favorite packages, including a full-on GUI. Heck, it’s also useful for owners of the mainline Raspberry Pi series who want a highly efficient OS for their tiny PC.
2
Raspberry Pi OS
A solid companion for your tinkering misadventures
As the official distro for the uber-popular SBC lineup, Raspberry Pi OS has several advantages over the other options on this list. For starters, it’s equipped with most of the essential tools you’ll need to kickstart your journey into the vast and interesting world of Raspberry Pi projects. It’s also responsive enough to double as a decent PC – provided you don’t run too many projects in tandem with your everyday tasks.
If you’re using the higher memory variants of the Raspberry Pi 5, this first-party OS will serve most of your computing needs, and I would’ve granted it the top spot on this list if not for FydeOS.
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A beginner’s guide to programming the Raspberry Pi
Unsure about what you should do after buying your first Raspberry Pi? Check out our in-depth tutorial to familiarize yourself with the SBC.
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FydeOS
Powerful, easy-to-use, and laden with features
When I tried to use my Raspberry Pi as a laptop, FydeOS exceeded my expectations. If you haven’t heard of it, FydeOS is a distro that combines the intuitive ChromeOS UI with top-tier performance and tons of extra facilities. For starters, FydeOS handles 1080p video streaming with minimal dropped frames, a feat that Ubuntu, Kali Linux, Debian, and even the Raspberry Pi OS failed to accomplish. Likewise, the OS runs well with as many as twenty Chromium tabs.
If you prefer working with a command-line interface, you can enable the Linux subsystem and execute terminal commands to your heart’s content. Then there’s the Android subsystem, which is optimized so well that it can run several Android games (and even emulators) at solid frame rates.
What’s your favorite operating system for the Raspberry Pi series?
If you’re still looking for more operating systems to use your Raspberry Pi as a normal desktop, I’ve got a couple of other recommendations. For hardcore tinkerers who don’t mind spending hours working with terminal scripts, you can embark on the tiresome journey to install Arch Linux or (god forbid) NixOS on your Raspberry Pi. There’s also TwisterOS that offers tons of customization options for the UI, but the fact that it doesn’t have a 64-bit version makes me hesitant to include it here. If you’re up for the challenge, you can even configure Windows 11 on the SBC, though you’ll have to contend with a host of performance and compatibility issues should you try using it as a normal PC.
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