I'm not familiar with the trial but if you get an Ubuntu "server" on AWS EC2 to try out and want a gui.
Here's what I would do as it works great:
1)
Log into the AWS EC2 "server" and install a "minimal" desktop
$ sudo apt-get install xorg gdm gnome-core
2)
Install the high performance jpeg library
libjpeg-turbo on both the AWS EC2 server and your local PC.
3)
Finally, install x2go - see
the x2go Wiki. Its quick and easy and works great with EC2. x2go has Mac, Windows and Linux "clients".
x2go is a terrific remote desktop solution and supports audio, printing and shared file systems. It also implements the NX protocol so remote PC's get very good performance.
Add the x2go respository PPA to BOTH your AWS EC2 Ubuntu "server" and to your local PC.
How To add the x2go repository
Install the x2go "client" on your local Ubuntu PC.
Install the x2go "server-side"] on your AWS EC2 Ubuntu server.
Install the x2goGnomeBindings on the AWS EC2 Ubuntu server
If your local PC is Windows then
install the x2go 32bit Windows Client
reboot your AWS EC2 server (remember its PUBLIC IP address).
reboot your local PC
On your local Ubuntu PC:
Click on "Applications"
==> Click on Internet
==> Click on "x2go Client"
Enter your AWS EC2 Ubuntu server's IP address as the HOST you want to reach
and enter you Login ID on that machine.
Change the Desktop type to match what you use on the EC2 ubuntu (gnome, kde, etc).
Click OK.
Then to login (assuming your EC2 instance is running and has x2go-server installed.
Just click on the Session Box on the right of the x2go client screen
and enter your remote Ubuntu Password.
The first time you log in you may get prompted to accept the SSH connection but after you accept once you won't get prompted again.
On an AWS EC2 "micro" instance ... which I think the "trial" uses you might have to wait 10 seconds before your session will pop up with your remote AWS EC2 Ubuntu desktop.
Some screen shots - note some of the pictures are a little outdated.
I think if you consider your own/home Internet speed and the fact that the remote AWS EC2 Ubuntu server is running on an EC2 "micro" instance .. that the performance is actually still pretty good.
x2go is near releasing a new version which will include a java-plugin that will allow you to use any Java enabled Browser as your Desktop client. You can find that beta now and see how well it works (audio, printing etc).
Brian