MX-Linux is ranked 4th while Linux Lite is ranked 8th If that's too intimidating, try TinyCore (currently v9.0). Without a healthy dollop of system memory and an extra core or two, these distros may not deliver the best performance. How to choose the best Linux distro for laptops, Windows 10 antivirus is playing havoc with Chrome bookmarks and more. (Updated Feb 2016: Read the latest.) Porteus is available for 32-bit and 64-bit machines. The most recent version at the time of writing (16.04.4) is a remaster of the current of version of Ubuntu LTS. You can also choose to install CorePlus, which measures a relatively hefty 106MB. Linux Mint Software Manager. Linux Lite renames software it comes bundled with to be more user-friendly, it gives suggestions on what additional software the user might be interested, support on how to keep the system up to date, etc. Like Lubuntu, LXLE is available as a Live image for 32-bit and 64-bit machines. Specs. It does this by providing easy to use familiar software such as Skype, Steam, Kodi and Spotify, a free Office … In fact, most of my distros I’ve reviewed in the last year were Arch-based, take ArchLabs Linux review for example. MX Tools, Backup, and Systemback; Guest Post: Responsible Ownership; KDE vs Xfce on PCLinuxOS Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, You will receive a verification email shortly. The login page will open in a new tab. Receive news and offers from our other brands? However, one of those successors, Crunchbang++, has now been discontinued. You can also examine office documents using the Ted word processor and check your email with the minimal Slypheed client. Brief: LXLE is a lightweight Linux distribution mainly focused on older systems. General chat about LXLE Linux. You can surf the web with a choice of three browsers – Dillo, Firefox or the text-based browser Netrik. All of these are full distros that do not depend on cloud services; four for x86 and two, count ’em, two for ARM hardware. Cyber Monday PC deal: This cheap AMD Ryzen desktop is the best value computer under $380, Best ransomware protection of 2020 : free and paid decryption tools, Microsoft Teams will no longer be available to certain users from tomorrow, With cyberattacks through the roof, endpoint protection is more important than ever, New Arm-based gaming PC set to take on Intel and AMD rigs, FIFA 21 on PS5 sounds way more fun than the Xbox Series X version, More PS5 stock promised as Sony confirms its biggest console launch ever, Get the best deals of the year on Huawei laptops, smartphones and wearables, Linux Format is the number one magazine to boost your knowledge on Linux, open source developments, distro releases and much more. Linux Lite is based on Ubuntu (currently Long Term Support version 18.04). It also supports multi-booting so you can keep your existing OS if you wish. With the feedback and requests we got from our Best Linux Distros for Gaming list, we had to do another list of the best lightweight Linux distros. Lubuntu is primarily designed for older machines. After installation there's little beyond the Terminal, a basic text editor and a network connection manager. Shashank Sharma, Bath The distro boasts full featured apps across categories such as internet, sound and video, graphics, office, games, and more. It allows users to mould the distro to serve just about any possible purpose – Vector Linux can be a lightning-fast desktop for home users, and can just as easily be used for running servers, or as the gateway for your office computer. It also includes plenty of useful accessories such as a Terminal-based Weather app and Penguin Pills, which is a graphical frontend for several virus scanners. Despite its name, this distribution isn't the least resource hungry out there, as it requires both a 1.5GHz processor and at least 1GB of RAM to run smoothly. Presenting a nice assortment of lightweight yet fully functional Linux distros for all occasions. A distro that's carrying the Crunchbang torch onwards. CorePlus also includes support for Wi-Fi and non-US keyboards. Don't hesitate to introduce yourself to other LXLE users. The unique selling point of Porteus is that it exists in a compressed state (less than 300MB for the Cinammon and MATE editions) and creates the file system on-the-fly. LXLE does LXDE better than Lubuntu, and better even than Xubuntu does Xfce. Nate Drake DSL is usually run from a USB or CD, or you can do a Debian-style installation to a hard drive if you prefer. Damn Small Linux (DSL) lives up to its name in that the install image is barely 50MB. Subscribe to the print or digital version of Linux Format. 1: Try Lubuntu - A light weight ubuntu distro : lubuntu | lightweight, fast, easier Or 2: Bodhi Linux : Bodhi Linux Both can run on very low memory computers: check the link for detail It's designed specifically for x86 PCs and will run on an ancient 486 CPU with 16MB of RAM. LXLE is a lightweight distro, with a focus on visual aesthetics, that works well on both old and new hardware. New versions of Absolute Linux are released roughly once a year. 8:45. Download LXLE Linux Distribution. Really good operating system. PROBLEM: Linux Mint vs Lubuntu for an old laptop?. I'm running lxle (or pretty lubuntu, as I call it), and plain lubuntu before that on my older laptop. They are always recommended when one is looking for a lightweight Linux desktop OS.When you have a really old PC and you are looking for a replacement for something like Windows XP to bring the life back to it, or even if you want to … The distro is full of apps, belying its small size – some are quite unconventional, such as Homebank which helps you manage your finances, or Gwhere which is for cataloguing disks. It’s available as a 2GB ISO for 64-bit computers. Built on Genesis Framework and Powered by UpCloud. I like lean and efficient distros, but LXLE … 10 of the best Linux distros for privacy fiends and security buffs, 5 of the most popular Linux gaming distros. The distro is incredibly fast as it's small enough to run entirely from system RAM. Linux Lite is designed to appeal to new users coming from Windows. Lubuntu is based on the LXDE environment which aims to be lightweight. John takes it for a test drive and shares his experience in this LXLE review. Unfortunately the option to build your own custom ISO has been removed since we previously looked at Porteus, but the pre-built images offer a decent selection of software and drivers, as well as an excellent selection of tutorials to help you get started. LXLE is a Linux distribution based upon the most recent Ubuntu/Lubuntu LTS release, using the LXDE desktop environment. Try it on modern hardware and you'll be amazed at just how quickly it runs. The creator of Linux Lite itself is active on the forum and helps to get problem sorted out. The distro provides users with the choice of KDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Xfce and LXDE desktop environments when downloading the ISO image. OS Type: Linux Based on: Debian, Lubuntu Origin: USA Architecture: i686, x86_64 Desktop: LXDE Category: Desktop, Live Medium, Old Computers Status: Active Popularity: 73 (169 hits per day) LXLE is an easy-to-use lightweight desktop Linux distribution based on Lubuntu and featuring the LXDE desktop environment. When comparing Linux Lite vs Linux Mint, the Slant community recommends Linux Mint for most people. SOLUTION 1: LXDE is definitely lighter and faster than XFCE and you especially notice the difference on older or more limited hardware. On the other hand, Linux Mint’s Software Manager is lighter and … By Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. This minimalist distro doesn't feature many apps. 90 discussions 294 comments Most recent: Screenshots of Your box - … 12 June 2019, Operating systems which will happily run on older x86 machines. I vote lubuntu. Linux.com The distribution does a lot of things well, is easy to set up and use and the project offers us a lot of beginner friendly documentation. Absolute Linux is a lightweight distro designed for desktop use, and as such comes preinstalled with the Firefox browser and LibreOffice suite. As mentioned by 273 here above, however, it is WAY more stripped down than XFCE, so you have to progressively add what you need once you realize you … Reception. Elementary OS Elementary OS is a beautiful, fast, lightweight Linux for 32- and 64-bit x86. LXLE is a remastered version of Ubuntu/Lubuntu LTS releases, using the LXDE desktop interface. While it was discontinued in 2013, the community fondly remembered its lightning speed and responded with two Crunchbang-based distros to continue its legacy. This Slackware-based distro is designed to be completely portable and run on removable media such as a USB stick or CD, but can just as easily be installed to a hard disk. Despite the extremely minimal desktop, you may be surprised at the vast array of tools that come preinstalled. There's also a point release option, which is regularly updated if you want to stay on the bleeding-edge. Ad. Modern Linux distros are designed to appeal to a large number of users who run modern hardware. 38 discussions 286 comments Most recent: Direct Help via Linphone by nhoutman November 17. Based On Debian>Ubuntu LTS. A neat spin on the popular OS for older machines. It should especially be familiar to Windows users, since the desktop layout and the basic way you interact with it is similar. Ad. Crunchbang (or #!) It's a great distribution as it aims to keep the impact on your system low and takes up fewer resources. The most recent releases have also reverted back to using LibreOffice rather than Abiword for word processing. LXLE Linux, Revive your old PC. However, to ensure smooth running, try to use a machine with at least 1GB of RAM. © Linux Lite is based on Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases. The most important reason people chose Linux Lite is: The forum is pretty active and community is very friendly and helpful. Aesthetics are a key area of focus as evidenced by the hundred wallpapers which are included, along with clones of Windows functions like Aero Snap and Expose. He’s himself not a Linux hero but had just started at … It is specifically developed to ease Windows users – particularly those with old machines running Windows XP – into the world of Linux. The recommended amount of RAM is just 128MB. It's based on Slackware 14.2 but unlike its parent OS, aims to make configuration and maintenance as simple as possible. I honestly like lubuntu way better. What's the best Linux distro for beginners? TinyCore saves on size by requiring a wired network connection during initial setup. It requires at least 256MB of RAM to run (with 1GB or more recommended). Like Lubuntu, LXLE uses the barebones LXDE desktop environment, but as LTS releases are supported for five years, it emphasises stability and long-term hardware support. was a very popular Debian-derived distro specifically designed to use as few system resources as possible. (Updated Feb 2016.) Vector Linux Light uses the ultra-efficient IceWM for the desktop environment while the Standard version is powered by Xfce. The sheer variety of applications is impressive. Of course, things have improved over the years but even with Ubuntu 20.04, on board, you will often notice it loading up slow or freezing when updating/installing an app. Nick Peers, It also supports multi-booting so you can keep your existing OS … The most important reason people chose Linux Lite is: The forum is pretty active and community is very friendly and helpful. Presenting a nice assortment of lightweight yet fully-functional Linux distros for all occasions. Once installed, Absolute Linux is incredibly nimble. The Core Project offers up the tiniest of Linux distros, shipping three variants on which you can build your own environments. This spin offers a choice of lightweight window managers such as IceWM and FluxBox. The most recent release of Lubuntu (19.04 – Disco Dingo) has now lowered the minimum required RAM to run the OS to 500MB. I … Linux Lite can boot from a Live medium such as a USB stick or CD, or install to your hard drive. Elementary OS Elementary OS is a beautiful, fast, lightweight Linux for 32- and 64-bit x86. Introduce Yourself. The modern data deluge – are you sinking or swimming? Slackware-based distro is incredibly fast and streamlined. The distro is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Comparing two lightweight XFCE Linux distributions which are based on Ubuntu. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. I then went ahead and installed it. Whichever version you choose, there's a massive selection of lightweight applications available. RAM: 128 MB (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GB (Plasma Desktop), CPU: 300 MHz (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GHz (Plasma Desktop), Storage Space: 5 GB (Plasma Desktop) / 3 GB (Trinity Desktop), RAM: 128 MB (offline usage) / 512 MB (for web browser usage), CPU: Processor based on Intel x86 architecture, Disk space: At least 4 GB of available disk space, CPU: Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 or higher, Display: VGA screen 1024×768 resolution (recommended VGA, DVI or HDMI screen 1366×768), Disk space: At least 8 GB free disk space, Disk space: 2 GB (CLI Edition), 10 GB (Home Edition), 20 GB (GameOver Edition). After installation was complete, I connected to my WiFi network, checked for any further updates, and i… Thankfully, there are many lightweight distros, trimmed and tweaked by expert hands, which can be used to breathe new life into older hardware. The installer is text-based so there's no Live mode, but nevertheless it's incredibly simple to follow. After a lengthy period, Vector Linux 7.1 was finally officially released in July 2015, and now comes in two flavours: Light and Standard. Linux and Ubuntu readers shared their thoughts about Xubuntu and Lubuntu: Randy Fry: “If you want to a better experience than Lubuntu there is a respin called LXLE. LXLE is a lightweight version of Linux based on the annual Ubuntu LTS (long term support) release. 10 best Linux distros: which one is right for you? I was already impressed. The OS is only 16MB in size and offers a choice of FLTK or FLWM graphical desktop environments. It is elegant, lightning-fast, absolutely gorgeous, and stays out of my way when I’m working on school stuff. In this video, I am going to show an overview of Linux Lite 4.8 and some of the applications pre-installed. The unique selling point of Lubuntu is its compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, which gives users access to thousands of additional packages that can be easily installed using the Lubuntu Software Center. The latest stable version of DSL (4.4.10) was released in 2008. For instance, you may find Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird for emails, Dropbox for Cloud storage, VLC Media Player for Music, LibreOffice for office, Gimp for image editing and Lite tweaks to tweak your desktop. The performance obviously lags way behind newer systems but it's usable. I downloaded the free ISO from LXLE.netand created a USB installer using unetbootin and then booted to the live version. There are also graphical tools to manage Samba shares and set up a firewall, for example. A featherweight distro designed for desktop use. LXLE provides a complete drop in and go operating system coupled with style, speed and capability. Tiny by name, and most certainly tiny by nature…. There's also plenty of documentation accessible from within the desktop itself to assist new users. For what it's worth, if I had to choose between those two, I'd go for Linux Lite. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, Has lots of pre-installed tools despite size, Suitable for home desktop or office server, XenialPup edition works with Ubuntu repositories, Aimed at easing migration of Windows users, Smartly configured Openbox window manager. All of these are full distros that do not depend on cloud services; four for x86 and two, count ’em, two for ARM hardware. Aimed primarily at reviving older machines, the distro is designed to serve as a ready to use desktop out of the box, specifically tailored to appeal to existing Windows users. One of the veterans of the lightweight Linux world. This Slackware-based distro tends to favour GTK+ apps such as Pidgin Messenger, but you can use the TXZ package manager to fetch and install additional software. Linux Lite makes the transition to a linux based operating system by offering a full, Microsoft compatible Office suite, familiar software like Firefox, Chrome, Teamviewer, VLC as well as full system back up tools, a comprehensive - easy to follow Help Manual to guide you on your journey, Steam so you can keep playing your Windows games and so much more familiar software. The developers spend a considerable amount of time making all the necessary mods and tweaks to improve performance, but they don't skimp on niceties. All rights reserved. Linux Lite can boot from a Live medium such as a USB stick or CD, or install to your hard drive. It features familiar tools like Firefox (with built-in support for Netflix), plus VLC Media Player and LibreOffice are preinstalled. I have an old core 2 duo with 2GB RAM that runs both of those just fine; to be honest, it also runs Unity and KDE based distros OK. The Control Panel provides quick access to the different configurable parts of the distro such as display, mouse, network, etc. Linux Lite Linux Lite is based on(you guessed it) Ubuntu LTS. My desk beast is running Mint. This is ensured through the lightweight IceWM window manager, along with popular apps such as LibreOffice, making this OS perfect for older machines. Actually, some of them fit both our categories. Puppy Linux 8.0 (Bionic Pup) is based on Ubuntu Bionic Beaver (18.04). Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Bionic Pup edition of Puppy Linux is compatible with Ubuntu's repositories, giving users access to the parent distro's vast software collection. Designed for those who won’t pay for a new version of Windows. The difference is in the desktop environment used. You can get it at lxle.net. Linux Lite is ranked 27th while Zorin OS is ranked 51st. I checked that it detected my hardware correctly and how the distro performed. However, you can update and add new applications using the MyDSL Extension Tool. BA1 1UA. Your mileage may vary, and people have their own reasons for choosing a Linux distro. Xubuntu Vs Lubuntu Most of these two distros are put in the same brackets because there is a lot of commonness between them. Please log in again. The OS is still in the beta testing stage so may perform a little unpredictably, as ever with beta software. Puppy Linux developer, Barry Kauler, also manages a sister project named Quirky, a version of Puppy Linux built using the custom tool Woof-CE. If you visit It’s FOSS often, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of Arch-based distros. The LXLE developers put a lot of work into customizing LXLE visually to make it more user friendly out of the box, and they included additional software repositories to allow for more choice and less configuration. Even though it’s a lightweight distro – it comes baked with some essential tools. Or indeed sort through your data with the ultra-tiny emelFM file manager. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. The 'L' in Lubuntu stands for lightweight, and it unashamedly appeals to those Ubuntu users who are looking for an OS which requires fewer resources than most modern distros, but doesn't force you to compromise on your favourite apps. In the question "What are the easiest Linux distributions for Windows users to get acquainted with?" “heartily recommend Linux Lite for rookie beginner novices, with older hardware that is too nice to just throw away.” Friend of ours set up his mom (well in her late 70s) up with Lite a couple years ago. The way Absolute is structured also means that you can add and remove packages from the install media to create a distro which truly suits you, though you'll need some time and experience with Linux if you really want to make the most of this feature. Sure, there are other similar lists our there, but this one has up-to-date info and we’ve personally tried and tested (almost) every distro on our old laptops. The project has been turning out slim, sleek and fast distros for 15 years now, and offers different versions depending on the underlying environment. ; We would go with LXDE. But there's one caveat to bear in mind when working with lightweight distros – they usually manage to support ancient kit by cutting away just about everything you take for granted, such as wizards and scripts which make everyday tasks easier. In the question "What is the easiest but most beneficial distribution of Linux for a beginner to start with?" There is one key distinction, though. That said, this shouldn't be too much to ask of any computer made in the last decade. . The creator of Linux Lite itself is active on the forum and helps to get problem sorted out. The OS also includes the zRAM memory compression tool which makes it run faster on older machines. When comparing Linux Lite vs MX-Linux, the Slant community recommends MX-Linux for most people. We have another article which explains in detail the same procedure with Ubuntu 18.04, this article will give some process without deeper explanation. Use the graphical package manager 'Apps' to install additional software such as multimedia codecs. As a lightweight distro, Lubuntu focuses on being fast and energy efficient. The handy QuickPet utility can be used to install some of the most popular apps. If you do get lxle, be aware that it comes with lots of excess programs that you probably don't need. The most recent version (15.0) was made available for download in February 2018. The default desktop is based on LXQt, which is far less resource hungry than mainstream Ubuntu's Gnome 3 desktop. Ubuntu Software Center takes ages to load, heavily eats up resources, and is slow while interacting with it. There's also a special ‘Lite Upgrade’ utility. Linux Lite was created to make the transition from Windows to a linux based operating system, as smooth as possible. Linux Lite is ranked 24th while Ubuntu is ranked 49th. There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions as well as PiCore, which is a build for ARM devices like the Raspberry Pi. Besides the preinstalled apps, all additional software for the distro comes in the form of modules, making the OS very small and compact. BunsenLabs is still active, though, and its current release (Helium) is based on the latest stable version of Debian featuring a gorgeously configured Openbox window manager and its own repository of core packages. It uses the regular Ubuntu Ubiquity installer, which took under 30 minutes, including pulling in updates whilst installing. As a result, they have become too bloated for older machines, even if you manually delete files. Compared to its parent, LXLE has a number of unique … It has given my ageing former Windows XP computer a new lease of life. It’s available in 32-bit and 64-bit incarnations.