Install Just 7 Apps to Use Your Raspberry Pi Like a Work PC

Your PC has damaged down, and you’ll’t get to the restore store till the weekend. A deadline is due, and all you’ve gotten is a Raspberry Pi single-board laptop.

What do you do?

Well, you utilize the Raspberry Pi. But what about all these essential workplace and productiveness apps? Incredibly, all of the workplace software program you want is offered on Raspberry Pi, from phrase processors and spreadsheets to video conferencing and cloud storage.

Can You Really Use a Raspberry Pi as a Main PC?

Yes.

Let me clarify…

A normal Raspberry Pi Model B, and even B+ or Raspberry Pi 2 aren’t going to lower it. The Raspberry Pi Zero can be unsuitable (though you might need some pleasure with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W).

The Raspberry Pi 3B+ and the Raspberry Pi 4, in the meantime, can be utilized as a desktop. Indeed, I spent a week in 2019 utilizing the Raspberry Pi 3B+ as my major laptop.

Since the discharge of the Raspberry Pi 4 in 2020, issues have improved. With 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB choices, the pc is greater than enough for many workplace duties.

So, the {hardware} is sound. But what in regards to the software program? Well, the Raspberry Pi OS comes with Chromium put in because the default browser. With many productiveness instruments now web-based, that is the best major device for any workplace duties.

Here are seven workplace purposes you’ll be able to set up on a Raspberry Pi so it runs like a work PC.

The frequent function of any work or workplace PC is phrase processing. Whether a major function or used solely sometimes for stories, you want a device for creating paperwork.

In addition, you may additionally want spreadsheet software program and a device for creating shows.

While varied choices can be found for Raspberry Pi customers, the very best workplace suite throughout the Linux world is LibreOffice. This comes pre-installed with most Linux OSs, together with Raspberry Pi OS. If you don’t have it put in already, replace then improve your system and add it from the command line:

 sudo apt replace && sudo apt improve -y
sudo apt set up libreoffice 

You can even set up LibreOffice (and most different instruments on this record) using the Pi-Apps installer for Raspberry Pi.

2. OpenVPN

Whether you’re working from house or within the workplace, having VPN software program is essential for safe knowledge switch.

With an lively VPN, your connection is encrypted, defending probably delicate knowledge. You may even want to remotely entry your PC on the workplace—utilizing a VPN is ideal for this function.

OpenVPN depends on devoted server-specific configuration recordsdata, supported by most well-known VPN providers. It additionally presents its personal logless VPN subscription service. Most importantly, OpenVPN will be put in on a Raspberry Pi, so you’ll be able to arrange encrypted connections to the web.

Follow our information on installing OpenVPN on a Raspberry Pi for full particulars.

3. CUPS for Printing

If you want to print out of your Raspberry Pi, the reply is CUPs. This is software program that gives drivers for nearly any inkjet or laser jet printer you should purchase (and lots of you can not). The outcomes are sometimes higher than on Windows, with no pointless extra software program required.

So, no want to join a printer and set up the newest obtain from the HP, Epson, or Canon web site. Instead, you join the printer, open CUPS, choose the printer, and begin printing at your comfort.

After updating your system, set up CUPS with

 sudo apt set up cups 

Next, add your username (this command assumes you’re utilizing the “pi” account)

 sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin pi 

You can discover the CUPS interface in your Pi’s browser, utilizing the handle http://[RASPBERRY-PI-IP-ADDRESS]:631. You can then add your printer, making it obtainable for printing each time it’s required.

Along with accessing your native or community printer with CUPS, it may be used as a part of making an old printer wireless with a Raspberry Pi.

If you want to preserve observe of the workplace chat in WhatsApp, you received’t miss out on Raspberry Pi. Incredibly a WhatsApp app is offered, which will be put in in Pi-Apps.

WhatsApp on Raspberry Pi is actually the primary Linux model for Debian, with Nativefier turning it into a appropriate app.

This works on Chromium, which is preinstalled on Raspberry Pi OS. Even if Mozilla Firefox is your default browser, you will want to preserve Chromium put in. As with different desktop variations of WhatsApp, you’ll want to have the app put in in your telephone, too, and sync to the app with the QR code.

There is a superb likelihood you utilize an Android telephone. With AndroidBuddy put in in your Raspberry Pi, you’ll be able to sideload apps, backup recordsdata, and transfer knowledge to and out of your telephone.

AndoidBuddy is a Python device requiring Python 3. Simple set up is by way of Pi-Apps, however you can too use the command line.

Start by cloning the repository within the terminal:

 git clone https: 

Next, change listing to droidbuddy and set up the Python bundle supervisor, pip:

 cd droidbuddy
sudo apt set up pip 

Install pillow, then run major.py:

 pip set up pillow
python3 major.py 

With AndroidBuddy put in you can too remotely management the telephone over ADB. Note that some units (reminiscent of Xiaomi telephones) require you to allow USB Debugging.

See our information to USB debugging in Android for extra info on this course of.

One of an important belongings you want on an workplace PC is cloud storage. If community drives aren’t an choice, a device that brings Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to your Raspberry Pi is welcome.

You can set up CloudBuddy in Pi-Apps, or manually set up within the terminal with

 git clone https: 

The first run will be initiated with

 ~/cloudbuddy/main.sh 

Refer to the GitHub project page for steps on configuring CloudBuddy with Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive in your Raspberry Pi.

7. Zoom

Incredibly, Zoom can be obtainable for Raspberry Pi by way of Pi-Apps. This is made attainable thanks to emulation. According to the notes: “This works by operating the 32-bit x86 Zoom Linux app contained in the box86 emulator.”Most suited to the Raspberry Pi 4, it ought to work with none drawback. This contains superior options like digital backgrounds and gallery view.

Problem with the app? You can use the Zoom Progressive Web App (PWA) as an alternative. Like WhatsApp, you will want to have Chromium put in to use this.

Make a Raspberry Pi Your Work PC

If you’ve gotten a Raspberry Pi 3B+ or later, it may be relied upon in an emergency to exchange your PC. Sure, it’s not as versatile as a laptop computer, and is perhaps decrease powered than a pill. But it has compatibility with virtually all USB keyboards and mice, and you’ll join a USB HDD or SSD.

Some Raspberry Pi instances even supply bodily house for further storage, with growth boards for M.2 drives additionally obtainable.

In quick, until you’re planning some excessive definition multimedia enhancing, a Raspberry Pi could make a nice desktop alternative.