| Hardware | Recommendation | | :--- | :--- | | | Don't use the generic ISO. Use the Raspberry Pi Imager to get the specialized build. It is much easier. | | Apple Silicon Mac | Not recommended for beginners. Stick to Asahi Linux/Fedora Remix unless you are a power user willing to hack the boot process. | | ARM Laptops/Workstations | Highly Recommended. If you have standard UEFI hardware, the generic ISO provides a stable, modern, and fully functional desktop experience. |
To obtain the legitimate, unmodified ISO: ubuntu 22.04 arm64 desktop iso download
If you go to the standard Ubuntu download page, you are served the AMD64 ISO. If you go to the "Ubuntu on ARM" page, you are often directed to "Ubuntu Server," or told to use a specific pre-built image for devices like the Raspberry Pi. | Hardware | Recommendation | | :--- |
First, a critical distinction must be made. When most users visit Ubuntu’s main website, they are automatically served the x86_64 version. The phrase “Ubuntu 22.04 ARM64 desktop ISO” specifically denotes a build compiled for processors using the ARM instruction set, version 8 or later. Unlike the ubiquitous server versions of Ubuntu for ARM, which have long been standard in cloud computing and data centers, the desktop variant includes a full graphical environment (GNOME 42), a suite of default applications, and a graphical installer—all optimized for ARM’s power-efficient, System-on-a-Chip (SoC) design. | | Apple Silicon Mac | Not recommended for beginners
Unlike the x86_64 (Intel/AMD) version, which has a giant "Download" button on the front page of Ubuntu’s website, the ARM64 desktop variant is a bit of a hidden gem. This review covers the download availability, the installation reality, and the performance of the OS on ARM hardware.
In the landscape of modern computing, a quiet but profound shift is taking place. For decades, the x86 architecture (Intel and AMD) reigned supreme on the desktop. However, the rise of energy-efficient, high-performance ARM64 (also known as AArch64) processors—championed by Apple’s M-series chips, Raspberry Pi boards, and a new generation of Windows laptops—has created a demand for robust, user-friendly operating systems. At the forefront of this movement stands Ubuntu, and specifically, the release of .