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Is there a simple explanation of the differences or use cases of the three versions mentioned?

I need a secure digital system whith python support, internet access which only shows a browser. It should run on a Raspberry Pi. There is no commercial interest.

Findus
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    I would suggest a google search of each would be your best bet. There is just too much to be addressed here. – David DE Apr 21 '21 at 08:58
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    Ubuntu Core is not a deb based system thus the yy format of releases (unlike deb based system that are all yy.mm in format), have 10 years of support (longer than LTS + ESM in most cases) etc... Minimal is a full install with packages removed after the installed image is written to the disk.. The Ubuntu base is the same for all systems on which are all based (desktop, server, core etc) The best for you depends completely on your intended use, applications etc.. which is a very opinion geared question which is off-topic here. – guiverc Apr 21 '21 at 09:01
  • You provide no release details; the minimal ISO is also called Netboot which is a tiny boot installation media that downloads & installs from the internet... The minimal install I mentioned in prior comment refers to the desktop minimal-install option... https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Minimal but you can search yourself – guiverc Apr 21 '21 at 09:05
  • This is a good question, @guiverc, turn your comment into an answer an I will upvote. – C.S.Cameron Apr 21 '21 at 13:12

2 Answers2

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Ubuntu's main releases use deb package (deb are also used by Debian). All deb based releases are year.month in format, eg. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Desktop.

Ubuntu Core is not a deb based system thus uses a different format, namely year only, eg. Ubuntu Core 20. These releases can use snap packages only, no LTS gets mentioned normally as all releases have 10 years of support.

Minimal can mean two things, there is a minimal install option where the full install occurs (ie. installed image is written to the disk) then if you selected a minimal install, packages listed on a list are removed (creating the minimal install option).

There is also a netboot or mini ISO that is a network loader; it boots the system and asks what type of install & downloads all packages from the web & installs. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Minimal You may have meant that, but a minimal-install option is generally more common and what you mean.

The Ubuntu base is the same base found on all systems (be they desktop, server, core etc). See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Base for more details.

There for sure are many other things to consider

  • resources; what apps you'll use will dictate the most efficient system
  • intended use
  • support life versus latest software?
  • how much maintenance are you willing to do, when etc.. etc, each with pros & cons.

The best for you depends completely on your intended use, applications etc.. which is a very opinion geared question not encouraged here (better for forums, Ubuntu forums can be found at https://ubuntuforums.org/.

Update on Minimal installs.

Some 25.04 ISOs included two squashfs images on the ISO, meaning the minimal install option installed the minimal squashfs instead of installing the full squashfs and then removing packages to create the minimal image. Other 25.04 ISOs however still installed everything, then removed packages as outlined above to create minimal install.

guiverc
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  • Nice answer +1. I wonder if adding a line for Ubuntu server would be worthwhile? I guess that was not part of the question though. – C.S.Cameron Apr 24 '21 at 13:12
  • Here you state Ubuntu Core has 10 year support, is that EoSS or EoL? Please see this Meta post: https://meta.askubuntu.com/questions/19720/whats-the-support-period-for-ubuntu-core?noredirect=1#comment42937_19720 Regards – C.S.Cameron Sep 01 '21 at 10:24
  • I tend to use the language used in official notices I post to https://fridge.ubuntu.com/ (& it's affiliated sites/mirrors). Most of what is published to the fridge is actually cut/pasted from Canonical ML threads, though for UWN etc it's summaries that often I actually wrote (thus it's my actual wording I'm quoting which is often why I remember it). As everything published there is reviewed prior to release (following rules, why release notices like 20.04.3 are delayed so long) I have no issues with anything I quote from there. – guiverc Sep 01 '21 at 10:33
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First of all, you say that you need to run Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi device

==> then you'll need a compatible dedicated image for the Raspberry Pi hardware
(I mean : an image that can drive this kind of processor, its motherboard, the integrated components).

Some ready-to-install images builds are available on RaspberryPi's official website
https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/

On the downloads pages, there are the main official flavors of "Raspberry Pi OS":

  • Raspberry Pi OS with desktop and recommended software
  • Raspberry Pi OS with desktop
  • Raspberry Pi OS Lite

Still on these pages, there are also some Ubuntu images built for RaspberryPi (but their names do not match exactly with what you've asked for :Ubuntu Base, Core, Minimal) :

  • Ubuntu Desktop
  • Ubuntu Server
  • Ubuntu Core

(there are full descriptions near the downloads buttons of that page)

The UBUNTU's website provides some other interesting builds and links to some how-to guides : https://ubuntu.com/download/raspberry-pi
(you'll find some installation tutorials and some others tips called "Installation instructions" provided on a page opened just after you pick a download).

More downloads here : https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ and the latest stable versions (LTS) available for Raspberry here :

22.04 LTS : https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/releases/22.04/release/
24.04 LTS : https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/releases/24.04/release/

I hope that you'll find what you wish !

Gilles Gaido
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