Let’s dive directly into it with the installation process. It’s not that complicated but might be a bit different from what you are used to. Keep reading to avoid missing an important step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you need help getting started on Raspberry Pi, I have an entire course to guide you through your first steps. I’ll help you use the perfect hardware, plug everything in and install your first system. You’ll also do your first projects with me, just to make sure you are ready for the next level. Get all the information on this page<\/a> if you are interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the required steps to get Pop!_OS running on a Raspberry Pi:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ll now explain each step before giving you an overview of this interesting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n System76 is a computer manufacturer, based in the US, selling various devices like laptops, desktops, and servers. They created Pop!_OS, an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, to ship their computers with this system installed on them. You can also download Pop!_OS and install it on any computer (or Raspberry Pi!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no dedicated website for Pop!_OS, download is available on the System76 one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For PC, you have the choice between the LTS version of Pop!_OS or the latest one. LTS means “Long-Term Support” and as for Ubuntu, the idea is to receive security updates for a longer period.<\/strong> It’s generally recommended for servers and critical devices. On Raspberry Pi, you can probably install the latest version (anyway, at the time of writing, LTS is not yet available on Raspberry Pi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pop!_OS image is built for the ARM64 architecture, making it compatible with a Raspberry Pi 3B+. But 4 GB of RAM is recommended. I didn’t test on Pi 3, but I guess it would be too slow to be a good choice (as most Ubuntu versions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the image is downloaded on your computer, you can use your favorite tool to flash it on your installation device. <\/strong>As explained in a previous video, Balena Etcher is slightly faster than Raspberry Pi Imager<\/a> when you already have the image on your PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not in a hurry, you can use whatever tool you are used to, the process will be similar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few minutes, the system is installed on your device, and we can now start using the Raspberry Pi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with most Linux distributions, the first boot on Pop!_OS will start a wizard to help you with the basic configuration of your new system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once done, the GNOME desktop environment will be fully loaded, and another wizard will help you make a few tweaks to the interface, and give you some additional tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, the boarding process on Pop!_OS is perfect. We don’t have the installation phase that is pretty boring on most other Ubuntu-based systems, Pop!_OS is quickly set up and configured with your preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are used to GNOME with any Linux distribution, you won’t be lost with Pop!_OS, but I’ll now give you a few tips before summarizing my thoughts about this new distribution for Raspberry Pi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a whole, the Pop!_OS distribution is promising. Based on Ubuntu 64 bits for the latest applications and decent performances, using GNOME for a modern-looking desktop, and with several optimizations that might make it even better than the original Ubuntu for our Raspberry Pi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pop!_OS interface is built on the GNOME desktop environment. You’ll get the benefits of it, but also some nice additions, making it even more pleasant to use than a default Ubuntu setup. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the dock is really one thing missing a default GNOME setup. I like to be able to run an app quickly, especially those I use often. If you have a main menu, it’s fine, but on Ubuntu, for example, you need to open the app list and then find the one you want in the whole list (that will have tons of pages over time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pop!_OS includes a launcher with a search engine (like on Ubuntu), but apps are also sorted by category, which makes them easier to find overall. <\/strong>And a dock is present by default, to quickly open RaspberryTips with your favorite web browser, for example :-).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The issue with GNOME is generally the performance. As Pop!_OS is only recommended for Raspberry Pi 4 with 4 or 8 GB of RAM, it’s not a big deal. I can’t say if it’s faster than on Ubuntu or Debian, but it works decently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The system configuration on Pop!_OS is made via this nice all-in-one interface. You’ll find all the settings in the same app, with everything sorted by category and a search engine to quickly find something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don’t think there is anything customized by System76 there, but it’s already great with the default GNOME environment, so why would you change it?<\/p>\n\n\n\nPop!_OS Installation on Raspberry Pi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Download Pop!_OS for Raspberry Pi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/download-popos.jpg\")
<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nFlash Pop!_OS on your SD card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It’s free and available for all operating systems.<\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/balena-etcher-windows-11.jpg\")
<\/li>
<\/strong>Click on “Select Target” and make sure to pick the device you want to use.
USB boot is supported, as long as your Raspberry Pi is prepared for this (I explain everything in my course if needed<\/a>).<\/li>First boot with Pop!_OS on Raspberry Pi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>If you use a USB drive, remember to use the blue USB ports, it’s faster.<\/li>
Plug a monitor, mouse and keyboard, as usual.<\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-firstboot-keyboard.jpg\")
<\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-firstboot-account.jpg\")
This first user will automatically have the sudo privileges for the system administration.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nPop!_OS Overview on Raspberry Pi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Interface overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-interface.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\nSystem configuration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-settings.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-apps-installation.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/raspberrytips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/popos-vscode-installation.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n