Raspberry Pi desktop returns to PCs and Macs after years of ready
Raspberry Pi has made a long-awaited comeback, probably giving your outdated laptops a second life. After a wait of virtually 4 years, Raspberry Pi has lastly up to date its Debian-based working system for PCs and Macs.
According to an official announcement on October 6, 2026, the brand new launch is predicated on Debian 13 “Trixie,” runs on 64-bit(x86) structure, features a Raspberry Pi Connect consumer, and is obtainable to obtain now.
Why did it take so lengthy?
No monetary positive aspects from the product
At the beginning, this was a weekend facet undertaking for engineer Simon Long to see if Raspberry Pi’s customized OS may run on his Mac. Surprisingly, it labored, and the primary installable model was launched in 2017.
But there was a catch, as Raspberry Pi’s supply of turnover is from {hardware}, not software program. It was troublesome to take care of the Debian-based working system (construct updates and releases) as a result of the crew had different priorities.
The final launch was primarily based on Debian Bullseye, and it stayed round regardless that newer Debian variations have been launched. According to the team, “individuals stored on asking for it (new launch) – we get two or three emails each week asking when the PC Desktop might be up to date, and we haven’t had a solution, as a result of we truthfully didn’t know once we may get an opportunity to do it.”
There are some attention-grabbing updates
New launch brings main inside and exterior adjustments
In the most recent model, the corporate has fully eliminated 32-bit structure assist and shifted to 64-bit Debian utilizing the amd64 structure. The firm believes most PCs from the final 15 years are able to working the brand new model, together with Intel-based Macs.
However, there’s a catch: Debian assist for Apple Silicon remains to be in beta, so a number of the newest fashions won’t be able to run the OS. Also, individuals beforehand utilizing the 32-bit model can’t improve and wish to interchange it fully.
The new OS makes use of Wayland graphics show protocols as a substitute of “lxpanel”, bringing up to date dock controls and an built-in management middle, together with a Raspberry Pi Connect consumer for display screen sharing and distant terminal entry. PCs simply want a customized system identify throughout setup.
How to put in it?
Users may also strive with out putting in
- Download the reside .iso file from the official Raspberry Pi web site.
- Flash it to a USB drive utilizing a instrument like Raspberry Pi Imager.
- Boot your system with the USB and choose “Run with persistence” to save lots of the adjustments (or) To set up completely, launch the Calamares installer from the desktop shortcut or the System Tools menu.
There is a combined response from the neighborhood, with many customers welcoming the lengthy return, whereas others are nonetheless involved whether or not this replace was one other one-off effort, to which Simon mentioned that the intention is to proceed to assist and launch it if individuals truly obtain and use it.
Source: Raspberry Pi
