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My default Linux install these days is, of course, Ubuntu. But on my old laptop, even good ol’ Ubuntu was feeling a bit sluggish. I decided to give Linux Lite a try. I’d seen it mentioned on pretty much every list of so-called lightweight distros.
Install
Like most Linux distros, I used a USB stick to install Linux Lite (version 5.4 as I write this review). Before installing Linux Lite (LL hereafter), I did a live boot to make sure everything worked. The installer for LL is the exact same as you’ll see in Ubuntu. I chose to completely erase the entire drive (removing Ubuntu) and install LL.
First Boot
First thing I did with LL was to load up the Task Manager (bottom right) to see what resources LL would use. Before removing Ubuntu, I ran its task manager (bottom left) to see what it was doing. You’ll see the images within this article, but, in short, the Ubuntu resources were showing CPU1 using 25% and CPU2 using 18% and using 1GB (out of 4GB) of RAM. LL shows it using CPU (overall) of 5% and 20% of RAM (so, same as Ubuntu, 1GB). So far so good!
The first thing I notice about LL is the clean windows (Thunar) and the old familiar bottom task bar with ye olde ‘Start’-style (labelled Menu here) button.
The Menu button reveals all the usual things you’d expect like access to the device and all the installed apps, and with two ways to access the Settings; either the icon at the bottom which will open a Settings window, or via the Settings option in the Menu button which shows all the items that are available from within the Settings window. Nice for quick access to a particular item in the Settings.
Beside the Menu button are shortcuts to Firefox, Files, and Terminal. On the far right of the task bar are the virtual desktops, a quick link to check for updates/upgrades, networking, sound, and the time.
First impressions are good. It’s light and fresh. Especially compared to the dark and dull Ubuntu.
Software
Taken from the LL website:
• Web Browser - Firefox 87.0 • Email Client - Thunderbird 78.7.1 • Office Suite - LibreOffice 6.4.6.2 • Media Player - VLC 3.0.9.2 • Image Editor - Gimp 2.10.18 • System Backup and Restore - Timeshift 20.03 • File Manager - Thunar 1.8.14 • Base: 20.04.2 • Kernel: 5.4.0-70 (custom kernels are also available via our Repository for versions 3.13 - 5.11) Series: 5.x
Desktop UI [XFCE] • Window Theme: Adapta • Icon Theme: Papirus • Font: Roboto Regular
Settings
If you like tinkering with settings, then LL definitely has you covered. There are ton of things to play with in the Settings window. I can’t possibly list them all here, but here’s a taste: • About Me • Appearance • Desktop • File Manager Settings • Notifications • Panel • Preferred Applications • Screensaver • Window Manager • Window Manager Tweaks • Workspaces • Color Profiles • Display • HiDPI Settings • Keyboard • Mouse and Touchpad • Power Manager • Removable Drives and Media … and that’s without even mentioning the System settings!
Conclusion
What a surprise! I really wasn’t expecting much from Linux Lite, but it’s definitely had a big impression on me. I haven’t had a chance to really push it to its limits by running a load of stuff to see how it copes, but its fresh look and speedy desktop has definitely convinced me to keep it. I’ll let you know how it goes…
Linux Lite download: https://www.linuxliteos.com/download.php
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS: CPU: 1GHz processor RAM: 768MB ram STORAGE: 8GB RESOLUTION: VGA screen 1024×768 resolution MEDIA: DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
PREFERRED SPECIFICATIONS: CPU: 1.5GHz processor RAM: 1024MB ram STORAGE: 20GB RESOLUTION: VGA, DVI or HDMI screen 1366×768 MEDIA: DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image