I neither have a micro HDMI adapter nor a dedicated display for the Pi. I just want to use it as a server. Thanks to Raspbian for providing a simple way to auto-enable SSH on boot!

I prefer the leaner, manual approach over NOOBS, the more popular option.

1. dd Raspbian’s image on to a new SD card
2. To auto-start SSH service on boot touch ssh in /boot partition
3. Insert SD card, connect ethernet cable (RJ-45) and boot
   • Check IP address assigned to RPi from your router’s portal
4. ssh -l pi IP
   • Change default password (raspberry) with passwd
   • sudo apt update
   • sudo apt upgrade
5. Use raspi-config and setup
   • Locale
   • Wi-Fi country code
     • Needed to abide by your country’s wireless laws
     • Radio device may not work properly if not done
   • Wi-Fi (SSID and password)
   • Enable SSH (for good measure)
   • Check systemctl is-enabled sshd
   • Make sure wireless isn’t soft-blocked: rfkill list and rfkill unblock wifi
6. Unplug ethernet and wireless should work now
   • Use ifconfig to know your Mac address
   • eth0/wlan0 interfaces that’re up have inet (IP address) populated
7. Use raspi-config and enable VNC
   • Setup VNC password: sudo vncpasswd -service
   • Boot into Desktop instead of Console in System Options -> Boot / Auto Login
     • See this if you want to boot to CLI and startx later [3]
   • Make sure to select a resolution under Display Options -> Resolution
   • For macOS Screen Sharing to work, make /etc/vnc/config.d/common.custom with Authentication=VncAuth
   • sudo reboot -n
   • Check VNC server status: systemctl status vncserver-x11-serviced
   • You should be able to VNC to your Pi by first giving the VNC password and then pi’s password
8. Install Firefox: sudo apt install firefox-esr
   • sudo update-alternatives --config x-www-browser

Another interesting alternative to Raspbian is DietPi (also Debian based), comes with a bunch of software optimized for the Pi.

References