Install Just 7 Apps to Use Your Raspberry Pi Like a Work PC
Reading Time: 4 minutesNeed to use a Raspberry Pi 4 as your main or work PC? You’ll need these seven vital apps.
Your PC has broken down, and you can’t get to the repair shop until the weekend. A deadline is due, and all you have is a Raspberry Pi single-board computer.
What do you do?
Well, you use the Raspberry Pi. But what about all those important office and productivity apps? Incredibly, all the office software you need is available on Raspberry Pi, from word processors and spreadsheets to video conferencing and cloud storage.
Can You Really Use a Raspberry Pi as a Main PC?
Yes.
Let me explain…
A standard Raspberry Pi Model B, or even B+ or Raspberry Pi 2 aren’t going to cut it. The Raspberry Pi Zero is also unsuitable (although you might have some joy with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W).
The Raspberry Pi 3B+ and the Raspberry Pi 4, meanwhile, can be used as a desktop. Indeed, I spent a week in 2019 using the Raspberry Pi 3B+ as my main computer.
Since the release of the Raspberry Pi 4 in 2020, things have improved. With 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB options, the computer is more than adequate for most office tasks.
So, the hardware is sound. But what about the software? Well, the Raspberry Pi OS comes with Chromium installed as the default browser. With many productivity tools now web-based, this is the ideal primary tool for any office tasks.
Here are seven office applications you can install on a Raspberry Pi so it runs like a work PC.
1. LibreOffice
The common feature of any work or office PC is word processing. Whether a primary purpose or used only occasionally for reports, you need a tool for creating documents.
In addition, you may also need spreadsheet software and a tool for creating presentations.
While various options are available for Raspberry Pi users, the best office suite across the Linux world is LibreOffice. This comes pre-installed with most Linux OSs, including Raspberry Pi OS. If you don’t have it installed already, update then upgrade your system and add it from the command line:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install libreoffice
You can also install LibreOffice (and most other tools in this list) using the Pi-Apps installer for Raspberry Pi.
2. OpenVPN
Whether you’re working from home or in the office, having VPN software is important for secure data transfer.
With an active VPN, your connection is encrypted, protecting potentially sensitive data. You might even need to remotely access your PC at the office—using a VPN is perfect for this purpose.
OpenVPN relies on dedicated server-specific configuration files, supported by most well-known VPN services. It also offers its own logless VPN subscription service. Most importantly, OpenVPN can be installed on a Raspberry Pi, so you can set up encrypted connections to the internet.
Follow our guide on installing OpenVPN on a Raspberry Pi for full details.
3. CUPS for Printing
If you need to print from your Raspberry Pi, the answer is CUPs. This is software that provides drivers for almost any inkjet or laser jet printer you can buy (and many you cannot). The results are typically better than on Windows, with no unnecessary additional software required.
So, no need to connect a printer and install the latest download from the HP, Epson, or Canon website. Instead, you connect the printer, open CUPS, select the printer, and start printing at your convenience.
After updating your system, install CUPS with
sudo apt install cups
Next, add your username (this command assumes you’re using the ‘pi’ account)
sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin pi
You can find the CUPS interface in your Pi’s browser, using the address http://[RASPBERRY-PI-IP-ADDRESS]:631. You can then add your printer, making it available for printing whenever it is required.
Along with accessing your local or network printer with CUPS, it can be used as part of making an old printer wireless with a Raspberry Pi.
4. WhatsApp
If you need to keep track of the office chat in WhatsApp, you won’t miss out on Raspberry Pi. Incredibly a WhatsApp app is available, which can be installed in Pi-Apps.
WhatsApp on Raspberry Pi is essentially the main Linux version for Debian, with Nativefier turning it into a compatible app.
This works on Chromium, which is preinstalled on Raspberry Pi OS. Even if Mozilla Firefox is your default browser, you will need to keep Chromium installed. As with other desktop versions of WhatsApp, you’ll need to have the app installed on your phone, too, and sync to the app with the QR code.
5. AndroidBuddy
There is a very good chance you use an Android phone. With AndroidBuddy installed on your Raspberry Pi, you can sideload apps, backup files, and move data to and from your phone.
AndoidBuddy is a Python tool requiring Python 3. Simple installation is via Pi-Apps, but you can also use the command line.
Start by cloning the repository in the terminal:
git clone https://gitlab.com/gazlene/droidbuddy
Next, change directory to droidbuddy and install the Python package manager, pip:
cd droidbuddy
sudo apt install pip
Install pillow, then run main.py:
pip install pillow
python3 main.py
With AndroidBuddy installed you can also remotely control the phone over ADB. Note that some devices (such as Xiaomi phones) require you to enable USB Debugging.
See our guide to USB debugging in Android for more information on this process.
6. CloudBuddy
One of the most important things you need on an office PC is cloud storage. If network drives aren’t an option, a tool that brings Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to your Raspberry Pi is welcome.
You can install CloudBuddy in Pi-Apps, or manually install in the terminal with
git clone https://github.com/Botspot/cloudbuddy
The first run can be initiated with
~/cloudbuddy/main.sh
Refer to the GitHub project page for steps on configuring CloudBuddy with Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive on your Raspberry Pi.
7. Zoom
Incredibly, Zoom is also available for Raspberry Pi via Pi-Apps. This is made possible thanks to emulation. According to the notes: ‘This works by running the 32-bit x86 Zoom Linux app inside the box86 emulator.'Most suited to the Raspberry Pi 4, it should work without any problem. This includes advanced features like virtual backgrounds and gallery view.
Problem with the app? You can use the Zoom Progressive Web App (PWA) instead. Like WhatsApp, you will need to have Chromium installed to use this.
Make a Raspberry Pi Your Work PC
If you have a Raspberry Pi 3B+ or later, it can be relied upon in an emergency to replace your PC. Sure, it’s not as flexible as a laptop, and might be lower powered than a tablet. But it has compatibility with almost all USB keyboards and mice, and you can connect a USB HDD or SSD.
Some Raspberry Pi cases even offer physical space for extra storage, with expansion boards for M.2 drives also available.
In short, unless you’re planning some high definition multimedia editing, a Raspberry Pi can make a great desktop replacement.