Subj : Rpi considerations
To   : All
From : Daniel
Date : Sat Jun 08 2024 18:52:41

Hey guys

In an effort to simplify the computing setup in my den - historically
the hottest room in the house - the current consideration is in the
deployment of a few rpis. Never used them before and this would be a new
venture.

My current home-computing habits are 90% on the linux CLI. My perosnal
laptop runs a debian install without a windowing system, which suits
me.

My desktop workhorse, in the den, is a very old first gen Intel I3 with
8gb or ram. When I obtained it, the device was being resold at a mom&pop
computer shop after it was purchased from a government auction. It had
been retired after a PC refresh. The thing is showing its age. Initially
it was running kubuntu, then I transitioned it to Xubuntu. This extended
its life a few years. But now the machine is showing signs of
instability. It's connected on a KVM and I switch to my work laptop
since I"m a permanent remote employee.

Current xwindows use cases: libreoffice, qt designer, light browser (no
streaming), light printing.

What I'm considering:

A headless Rpi4 as a VM server and setup a VM with the latetest Kubuntu
LTS. Connect my external HDD and flash drives via a 16 port USB hub to
access all my files - which I currently do with my workstation.

My desktop PC would be replaced by a Rpi4 running Debian CLI (like my
roaming laptop). I considered the Pi400 but I would need a second
keyboard for my work laptop when I kvm over, not a deal breaker but
inconvenient. Too bad, because the 400 is quite compelling for my uses.

In your collective experience, would this provide sufficient stability
to run a VM server with my light use case? Or woauld XFCE make more
sense? I'd consider the Rpi5 if it were fanless, but people on IRC
insist that it takes a major performance hit without active cooling.

Thanks,

Daniel

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