Raspberry Pi 400: from Ubuntu Server straight to Linux Mint?

[Pjotr]

I've bought a Raspberry Pi 400 and am happily experimenting with it. It's relatively easy to install Xubuntu 20.04 on this ARM-based machine (by means of a preliminary install of Ubuntu Server). Works fine. From Xubuntu to Mint Una Xfce won't be that difficult; it's my experiment for the day.

But what I would prefer, is to go straight from Ubuntu Server to Mint Xfce, skipping the Xubuntu step. For that, I can add the Mint Una source to /etc/apt/sources.list, by using Nano as editor. But how can I best import the validation key for the Mint Una source, in the terminal-only environment of Ubuntu Server?

[Pierre]

the LinuxMint Project doesn't support the ARM processor,
thus, you can add-in the LinuxMint repositories, to see what will happen.

you would need to Verify the PGP Signature of any Downloaded Software on the Ubuntu Terminal, maybe ?

it will be interesting to see your Final Results, though.

[SimonPeter]

The python-based packages of Linux Mint may work after a lot of modification, but I'm not at all sure of it.

Note: This is a HIGHLY RISKY experiment. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

[Pjotr]

Note: This is a HIGHLY RISKY experiment.

That's what the Raspberry Pi is meant for by its makers.

[deepakdeshp]

Note: This is a HIGHLY RISKY experiment.

That's what the Raspberry Pi is meant for by its makers.

Are you going ahead with your experiment?

[Pjotr]

Note: This is a HIGHLY RISKY experiment.

That's what the Raspberry Pi is meant for by its makers.

Are you going ahead with your experiment?

Yes, but it's on hold; currently I'm giving priority to other things.

[SimonPeter]

I've bought a Raspberry Pi 400 and am happily experimenting with it. It's relatively easy to install Xubuntu 20.04 on this ARM-based machine (by means of a preliminary install of Ubuntu Server). Works fine. From Xubuntu to Mint Una Xfce won't be that difficult; it's my experiment for the day.

But what I would prefer, is to go straight from Ubuntu Server to Mint Xfce, skipping the Xubuntu step. For that, I can add the Mint Una source to /etc/apt/sources.list, by using Nano as editor. But how can I best import the validation key for the Mint Una source, in the terminal-only environment of Ubuntu Server?

Another way may be to start with Ubuntu MATE (they offer an arm64 edition, at https://ubuntu-mate.org/download/arm64/ ).

[deepakdeshp]

That's what the Raspberry Pi is meant for by its makers.

Are you going ahead with your experiment?

Yes, but it's on hold; currently I'm giving priority to other things.

I feel that it won't be so easy to do it. After all I remember there is no ARM support for Mint.Its only for x86 and x86-64.

[Petermint]

I find the Raspberry Pi OS is far faster in all versions on a Pi as it is better optimised for the Pi. The GUI version has a big advantage over Ubuntu Xfce on all the smaller Raspberry Pi versions down to the Zero.

For anyone with a Pi, there are three CPU levels, ARMv6, ARMv7, and ARMv8. The Pi 4 is v8 (64/32 bit). The Pi 2 is v7 (32 bit). The smaller models are v6 (32 bit). Pi OS is compiled for 6 as are all the packages in the repositories. Things like Firefox are compiled for 7. 64 bit code is compiled for 8. If you want compatibility across all models, use Pi OS. (There is a new 64 bit version of the Pi OS. There is also a version compiled for Intel/AMD.)

For Pi OS server stuff, no GUI, there is a lite download. You have to use the instructions from Pi pages as there are some config differences in the guts of the OS. You also have to match the documentation to the release as there are some internal changes from release to release.

The Pi 4 can have 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB. My experience suggests Pi OS will be happy with 2 GB as it runs happily in the 1 GB Pi 3. The Ubuntu GUI version would probably need the 4 GB version, not the 2 GB version, an extra $40 in our local shops, as I had big problems with Ubuntu GUI. I forget what is in the 400.

My Pi 4 2 GB should arrive in the next mail. Fanless server with GUI and remote login as searching big disks is faster through a remote login.

[Pepi]

I know this is hard to believe but I've found Manjaro KDE to be the fastest OS that I've experimented with. I bit the dust and put it on my m.2 SSD and this OS is nice. Just wish Manjaro didn't use all the different commands:?

Edit: Something else I found with Mate vs Manjaro (Both Overclocked) was Mate would run around 5 degrees higher than Manjaro KDE

[Reddog1]

good luck. Keep us informed. And another Arch system that has an arm version:

https://arm.endeavouros.com/2021/12/22/ ... pi-update/

From the Endeavour Arm site: our ARM installations now can run on the newer 5.15 Linux kernel and it will support USB storage devices

[ivar]

I forget what is in the 400.

Available in 4GB only from what I understand

[Pepi]

good luck. Keep us informed. And another Arch system that has an arm version:

https://arm.endeavouros.com/2021/12/22/ ... pi-update/

From the Endeavour Arm site: our ARM installations now can run on the newer 5.15 Linux kernel and it will support USB storage devices

Thank you! I will give this one a try. Right now I am in the middle of torturing myself installing Windows 11 on a high-speed 64 bit SD card. I'm getting flashbacks from my IT years. What a POS Microsoft is I had it working until ANOTHER update came through and now it won't boot. I'm done

[Pepi]

I forget what is in the 400.

Available in 4GB only from what I understand

This is true BUT I run a 8gig PI 4 and I've never come close to using the 8gig.

[ivar]

I have a Pi 4 with 4GB, tried it with RPi OS, Kali and Home assistant and don't think I've ever pushed the limits re: Ram.

But I'd think if I was to use one for a desktop replacement, running some graphical stuff + my usual load of open browser tabs that 8 GB might come in handy sometimes.

chris @ explainingcomputer seemed to get by with 4 GB here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ddj9_LMgU

[Pjotr]

Looks like we'll have to wait for Ubuntu 22.04 in order to have a reliable and stable alternative LTS OS for the Pi 400. Right now, I've installed 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS on it:
https://downloads.raspberrypi.org/raspios_arm64/images/

Default login name: pi
Default password: raspberry

Then:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install xfce4

.... followed by sudo reboot, after which you can log in graphically into Xfce. Stripped bare, so without the ordinary apps. But you can even install Firefox ESR in it:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install firefox-esr

[Petermint]

Good to hear the 64 bit version works. I tested the AMD/Intel version about 6 months ago and it was a problem needing way more development.

I tested Firefox on a 1 GB 3B and a 0.5 GB Zero. Firefox worked on the ARMv8 3b but not on the ARMv6 Zero. The Firefox notes say it is ARMv7. I could not download the Firefox add-ons I wanted as they were not compiled for ARM. I was not going to run a Web browser without Noscript or equivalent.

[ivar]

Looks like we'll have to wait for Ubuntu 22.04 in order to have a reliable and stable alternative LTS OS for the Pi 400. Right now, I've installed 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS on it:

just curious, you dont view the debian based RPI os as a viable alternative for your needs? Or even straight Debian 11?

[Pjotr]

Looks like we'll have to wait for Ubuntu 22.04 in order to have a reliable and stable alternative LTS OS for the Pi 400. Right now, I've installed 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS on it:

just curious, you dont view the debian based RPI os as a viable alternative for your needs? Or even straight Debian 11?

Well, I do, but I prefer Ubuntu LTS and the distros that are derived from Ubuntu LTS.... Because I love easy.

[ivar]

easy is fine - that's why I'm happy with mint