Pi Zero W which OS?

[Rcayot]

I recently purchased a Pi Zero W, and set it up with a full blown raspbian install. I think this was a mistake as it is dreadfully slow.

Upon running setup again, which version should I choose. I REALLY don't want just the shell for an interface.

Thanks,

Roger

[DougieLawson]

It IS slow and changing the base OS won't make a jot of difference (it's slightly overclocked from the original RPi1B) but it's still only one BCM2835 core with 512MB. If you want fast get a RPi4B.

One thing that makes it very slow is swapping to SDCard. You really do not want to do that, so don't over commit RAM with bloatware (like web browsers).

https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/ ... benchmarks

[Rcayot]

I see. Is there a performance benefit to installing Buster with desktop and no software?

I am having a bit of trouble finding out info on the NOOBS options.

Thanks,
Roger

[B.Goode]

I see. Is there a performance benefit to installing Buster with desktop and no software?

I am having a bit of trouble finding out info on the NOOBS options.

Thanks,
Roger

NOOBS is simply an Installer. It doesn't have any options that will have any bearing on the performance of your bottom-of-the-range RPiZero board.

Your decision is about which of the 3 variants of the Raspbian Buster Operating System to install. https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/

If you want a GUI Desktop then you don't want Lite.

If you want a GUI Desktop but no useful pre-installed software to run, then choose 'Buster with desktop'

But if you want the out-of-the-box, ready to run, 'batteries included' experience, choose 'Raspbian Buster with desktop and recommended software'

Simple.


That deals with the Raspberry Pi recommended and supported Raspbian Operating System. Other third-party, less well supported, options are also available.

[fruitoftheloom]

I recently purchased a Pi Zero W, and set it up with a full blown raspbian install. I think this was a mistake as it is dreadfully slow.

Upon running setup again, which version should I choose. I REALLY don't want just the shell for an interface.

Thanks,

Roger

An alternative, though not as fully featured, is Tiny Core Linux with Desktop:

https://iotbyhvm.ooo/picore-tiny-core-l ... pberry-pi/