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Choose live USB or internal installation
| Mode | Where it runs | What happens to changes | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live USB with persistence | From the removable USB stick | Changes are saved to the USB when you choose “run with persistence.” The boot menu also offers a reset option that deletes saved changes and restores a clean image. | Trying the system without installing it to internal storage |
| Internal installation | The computer’s hard drive or SSD | Calamares installs Raspberry Pi Desktop to internal storage. | Running the system from the computer rather than the USB stick |
Raspberry Pi announced this PC and Mac release on October 6, 2026, describing it as an updated Debian Trixie live image with Raspberry Pi Desktop. See the Raspberry Pi release announcement for the download and release details.
The announcement does not specify supported computer models, minimum hardware requirements, USB capacity, Secure Boot instructions, partitioning choices, or dual-boot behavior. It therefore does not establish compatibility with any particular PC or Mac. Back up important files before changing a computer’s storage; the published instructions do not describe a rollback or recovery procedure.
Try Raspberry Pi Desktop from a live USB
- Download the ISO. Get the Raspberry Pi Desktop for PC and Mac image from the official Raspberry Pi Desktop download page. Raspberry Pi’s announcement points to the website for the image; it does not provide a checksum in the described instructions.
- Write the ISO to a USB stick. Use an image-writing tool to flash the downloaded ISO to the stick. Raspberry Pi’s instructions require USB media but do not name a preferred writing application or specify a capacity.
- Boot the computer from the USB stick. Insert the prepared stick and start the PC or Mac from it. The steps for selecting USB boot vary by computer; Raspberry Pi’s instructions do not give a universal boot-menu key or firmware setting.
- Choose how to handle changes. Select “run with persistence” in the boot menu if you want changes saved to the USB. Choose the reset-persistence option only if you intend to delete saved changes and return the stick to its clean original image.
Install Raspberry Pi Desktop on the computer
A live USB session and an internal installation are different: persistence keeps the system and saved changes on removable media, while the installer places Raspberry Pi Desktop on the computer’s hard drive or SSD.
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#1 Best Overall
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
- Boot into the Raspberry Pi Desktop live environment and reach its desktop.
- Open the Calamares installer using either the desktop shortcut or System Tools > Install Raspberry Pi OS.
- Follow the installer to install the system to the computer’s hard drive or SSD.
The release announcement identifies Calamares as the installer but does not document its partitioning screens, dual-boot options, or how to preserve another operating system. Do not assume the installation will keep an existing OS or data; check the installer’s choices carefully before proceeding.
Connect to the PC or Mac remotely with Raspberry Pi Connect
This PC/Mac edition includes the Raspberry Pi Connect client. During setup, give the computer a name. Once you sign in to the Connect website, that name identifies the machine in your device list; select it to use screen sharing or a remote terminal, as described in the release announcement.
Rank #2
- CanaKit Raspberry Pi 5 Essentials Starter Kit
Raspberry Pi’s general Connect documentation describes screen sharing, remote shell, and remote update, and states a Bookworm-or-later OS requirement. For this PC/Mac release, the announcement specifically documents the included Connect client, device naming, screen sharing, and remote terminal; it does not provide further setup or troubleshooting detail.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not confuse this with remote access to a Raspberry Pi board
Installing this edition on a PC or Mac is not the same task as configuring a Raspberry Pi board and connecting to it from another computer. Raspberry Pi’s separate Getting started documentation covers board setup and remote-access methods such as SSH and VNC. Those instructions do not replace the PC/Mac edition’s USB boot and Calamares installation process.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 16GB with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (16GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
Rank #4
- A RASPBERRY PI 5 KIT FROM AN APPROVED RESELLER: This Vilros Complete Starter Kit for Pi 5 Includes Raspberry Pi 5 Board with all the accessories you need to get started.
- 9 PART KIT INCLUDES MOST ACCESSORIES NEEDED YOU TO GET UP AND RUNNING: 1. Raspberry Pi 5 Board–2.Metal/Aluminum Alloy Passive & Active Cooling Case–3.Raspberry Pi 5 Compatible Power Supply–4. PWM fan With 10k Max RPM Capacity (pre-installed in the case)--5. 32GB Micro SD Card With 64bit Raspberry Pi OS Preinstalled–6. Standard HDMI to Micro HDMI Adapter Cable--7.Neoprene Storage bag–8.Vilros Quickstart Guide for Raspberry Pi–9. Mini To Standard Camera Module Adapter Cable to use a camera module with a PI 5
- RASPBERRY PI 5 SPECS AND FEATURES:--Processor: Broadcom BCM2712 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, with cryptography extensions, 512KB per-core L2 caches, and a 2MB shared L3 cache----Features: 2.4GHz quad-core, 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU–VideoCore VII GPU supporting Vulkan 1.2 and OpenGL ES–LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM (4GB and 8GB options)--PCIe 2.0 x1 interface for fast peripherals ( Requires adapter)--Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz –Bluetooth 5.0 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- MULTIFUNCTION PASSIVE & ACTIVE COOLED CASE: The case features a built-in pole/column that contacts the main chip on the Raspberry Pi 5 board via an included thermal pad to passively cool the board and also includes a preinstalled PWM Fan that plugs directly into the fan port on the board. The fan will only turn on if needed and will also increase RPMs as needed. Other features include a built-in power button that shows the onboard light status, camera module compatibility, and can be used in the single-layer configuration for hat compatibility
- HIGH-QUALITY COMPONENTS: All components are manufactured with Raspberry Pi in mind and are backed by the Vilros 1-Year warranty.
Rank #3
- Pi5 8GB Pack: RasTech Pi 5 8GB kit includes 1 x Pi5 8GB board ,1 x 64GB Card, 2 x Card Readers,1 x Active Cooler,1 x Case for Pi5, 2 x 4K Micro HD Out Cable,1 x GaN 27W 5A USB-C Power supply,1 x Screwdriver and 1 x instructions.
- Pi5 8GB Board: The Pi5 board is equipped with a 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz and an 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU with support for OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, which delivers a significant increase in graphics performance. Dual HD Out 4Kp60 display outputs and a built-in dual 4-channel MIPI camera/display transceiver provide state-of-the-art camera support. The Pi 5 offers a 2-3 times increase in CPU performance compare to Pi4.
- Important Graphics Features: Equipped with an 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU and providing better graphics performance, suitable for multimedia applications,gaming,and graphics intensive tasks.Provides 1 UART interface,1 card slot that supports high-speed operation, 2 USB. 3 0.5 ports that support synchronous 0Gbps operation,2 USB 2.0 port ports,2 4Kp60 display outputs that support HDR.Built-in dedicated dual 4-channel 1Gbps MIPI DSI/CSI connectors,triple the total bandwidth.
- Cooling Kit for Pi 5: Compatible with Active Cooler for Raspberry Pi5, It can provide Pi 5 board with better cooling effect in using. The Case can accurately access usb-c power jack,Micro HD Out ports, usb ports, Ethernet jack, card slot, power button, 4-lane MIPI DSI/CSI connectors and so on, and it also supports installation of cooling fan.
- 64GB Card Kit and GaN 27W USB-C Power Supply: With extra 64GB card to store more files and card readers for multiple medium, keep better performance for Raspberry Pi 5, 27W USB C Power Supply is Compatible with Pi5 8GB, offers a variety of output voltage options, including 5.1V at 5A, 9.0V at 3.0A, 12.0V at 2.25A, and 15.0V at 1.8A, providing for different device requirements.
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