Ubuntu 20.04 64-bit would only be recommended if you know you need it, in my opinion, but I only took a superficial look.
There is currently an issue on first boot where it seems like you should be able to log on, but you can't because SSH keys are still being created in the background.
There is also an issue where it is not obvious that you are typing in your password to the console because the cursor doesn't move.
SSH for remote access is enabled by default, which I liked. A password change from the default password is enforced on first login.
There's a nicely written install and getting started guide:
discourse.ubuntu.com/t/how-to-install-u ... y-pi/14660
The command line (shell) access is pleasant to use, due to helpful hints about missing packages in typical Ubuntu style, eg
Code: Select all
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ ffmpef
Command 'ffmpef' not found, did you mean:
command 'ffmpeg' from deb ffmpeg (7:4.2.2-1ubuntu1)
Try: sudo apt install <deb name>
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ ffmpeg
Command 'ffmpeg' not found, but can be installed with:
sudo apt install ffmpeg
I also liked that it was (obviously) very similar to the Ubuntu Linux command line environment that you can install on Windows for free from the Microsoft Store.
Installing the Xubuntu-desktop on to the Pi 4 (sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop) was underwhelming because it currently has no hardware acceleration for video, and was not full resolution. (Playing back a 1080p video in VLC resulted in stuttering playback, high CPU loads, and temperature warnings).
Installing xRDP for remote access was easy from the command line, but I could not work out how to get it working after hours of trying.
To be fair, this it is Ubuntu *Server* - I suspect if I was hosting non-video services on it I'd be very happy with it.
I didn't try to use anything wireless.
The hardware that I used was a USB 3 to SATA cable with a 2.5" SSHD, wired ethernet and HDMI TV. I also used a wireless keyboard (Logitech K400+). The working range of the 2.4GHz keyboard decreased to less than 2m when I plugged in the hard disk to a blue USB v3 port.
Anyone else got any experience to share?