Linux Lite is a free, easy-to-use, and open-source Linux distribution primarily based on the Ubuntu LTS sequence of releases. By design, it’s a light-weight and user-friendly distribution that was developed with Linux learners in thoughts particularly customers migrating from Home windows.
Linux Lite offers a easy and acquainted desktop atmosphere that Home windows customers may have a simple time utilizing.
As an illustration, the beginning button is clearly labeled. You additionally get app shortcuts on the taskbar and an applet part in your bottom-right space the place you get quantity controls, community, replace settings and a lot extra.
On this information, we take a deep dive and discover the ins and outs of Linux Lite and why you need to take into consideration giving it a attempt.
What’s Linux Lite?
As earlier talked about, Linux Lite is a free and open-source beginner-friendly Linux distribution that targets Home windows customers. It affords a light-weight desktop expertise with a extremely custom-made XFCE desktop atmosphere.
Moreover, it ships with a set of preinstalled Lite purposes to enhance the person expertise for novice customers.
On the time of scripting this information, Linux Lite 6.4 is the newest launch which is the fourth within the 6.x sequence of Linux Lite. It got here out on 1 April 2023 and consists of quite a few enhancements akin to:
- UEFI Help
- New GRUB menu
- New Kernel (Kernel 5.15)
- New Window theme – Materia
- New wallpapers
- New software program packages akin to LibreOffice model 7.4.6.2 and VLC 3.0.16.
- Google Chrome is the default browser as an alternative of Firefox.
- A brand new on-screen keyboard is named Onboard. It is a digital keyboard that may change a {hardware} keyboard in most situations.
- Orca display screen reader for customers who’re visually impaired.
- A brand new System Monitoring Middle to exchange Process Supervisor and Useful resource Utilization.
For a complete checklist of all the brand new options and enhancements that include Linux Lite 6.4, take a look at the launch notes.
Obtain Linux Lite
You’ll be able to obtain Linux Lite 6.4 by heading over to the Official Linux Lite obtain web page. The DVD ISO is about 2.1G and solely offers 64-bit ISO solely.
To put in Linux Lite, be certain that your system meets the next necessities for a clean person expertise.
- 1GB RAM
- 1.5 GHz Processor
- 20GB exhausting disk house
- 1366×768 Display screen decision.
- USB port or DVD Drive for the set up medium.
Linux Lite Key Options
Allow us to change gears and discover what ships with Linux Lite and what makes it a super alternative for novices.
Linux Lite Consumer Interface
XFCE is the default desktop atmosphere and it affords an immersive and intuitive desktop expertise.
The desktop structure is minimalistic and just about resembles Home windows 7 / 10 desktop, so new customers can simply navigate and entry what they’re in search of. That is significantly why Linux Lite is really useful as an ideal alternative for learners or learners.
Linux Lite Purposes
Out of the field, Linux Lite is totally purposeful. It offers pre-installed purposes that assist you to get began when you log in for the primary time.
A number of the purposes which might be included by default in Linux Lite embody:
- Google Chrome
- VLC Media participant
- LibreOffice Suite
- GIMP
- TimeShift backup and restore utility
- USB Picture author
- Onboard on-screen keyboard
- PDF Viewer and Doc editor
- Screenshot software
Linux Lite Safety
Linux Lite additionally comes with a built-in and extremely configurable Firewalld Firewall that you could simply handle through GUI.
You’ll be able to allow it and select which ports to open or companies to permit in your PC. Additionally, you will get periodic safety replace notifications in your desktop as a reminder to use them as quickly as doable.
Linux Lite Help
Linux Lite offers a big Discussion board neighborhood that’s useful while you want help in case you run into points. You’ll be able to pore over numerous points which have been mentioned earlier than and resolved, elevate your individual concern, and alternate concepts with different builders.
As well as, take a look at the Linux Lite assist guide to get assist with primary ideas akin to including and eradicating customers, putting in and updating software program, and managing disk partitions to say just a few.
Who Ought to Use Linux Lite?
Linux Lite can be utilized by nearly everybody with Linux information or customers searching for to familiarize themselves with Linux and want a user-friendly desktop.
The desktop expertise is especially useful to these coming from a Home windows atmosphere given the UI similarities it shares with Home windows 10 desktop.
Linux Lite can also be an awesome alternative if you’re operating a PC with low specs akin to 1 GB of RAM, 1GHz CPU, and fewer than 50GB of exhausting disk house. The newer your {hardware}, the higher the expertise you’re going to get.
Advantages of Utilizing Linux Lite
By now, you just about have a tough concept as to why Linux Lite is cool distribution. Let’s briefly spotlight a number of the key advantages of utilizing Linux Lite.
Linux Lite Desktop
Ubuntu and different Ubuntu-based desktops akin to POP! OS ships with GNOME desktop because the default atmosphere which is sort of heavy on useful resource utilization.
Linux Lite offers the XFCE desktop which is light-weight and doesn’t gobble up a lot RAM or CPU. This additionally makes it a super distribution to breathe life into.
Linux Lite Welcome Display screen
Upon logging into Linux Lite, a pop-up Welcome display screen can be displayed with a number of choices on how one can get began.
For instance, you get choices to replace packages, set up drivers, create a restore level, and way more. There’s a help part that allows you to get help on numerous avenues akin to on-line boards and the assistance guide.
Linux Lite Customization
The XFCE supplied by default means that you can make many customizations to the overall feel and appear. You’ll be able to change the desktop background, the looks of the icons, widgets and a lot extra.
Linux Lite Add-on Packages
Linux Lite offers a blended bag of free and proprietary add-on packages via its Lite Software program App. Purposes can simply be put in with a easy click on of a button.
A number of the add-on purposes embody Firefox, Audacity, Skype, DropBox, RedShft, and Telegram to say only a few.
Conclusion
In case you are a Home windows migrant and can’t afford a MacBook, otherwise you merely need to check out a cool and light-weight distribution with loads of customization choices, then Linux Lite ought to do the trick. It’s preferrred for learners and customers whose {hardware} is proscribed by way of computing assets.