Linux Lite

Linux Lite is an open-source beginner-friendly Linux Operating system. It is based on Ubuntu LTS. It was released in 2012 and developed by Jerry Bezencon and his team of engineers. It runs on Linux kernel using minimal resources and has a customized version of the XFCE Desktop environment. Linux Lite is famous for its compatibility to run on old hardware and beginner-friendly user interface. This Linux distribution was initially developed targeting Windows users to transition into Linux based Operating System. This OS is in the market to change the myth that Linux is hard to use.

• Linux Lite is a user-friendly Linux distribution built on Ubuntu LTS for Windows users migrating to Linux and new Linux users.
• Linux Lite can help old computers and laptops run smoothly being a light-weight operating system.
• It uses the Xfce desktop environment to provide a Windows-like desktop environment.
• Linux Lite comes with all useful Linux applications pre-installed and there is support to install other third-party applications.

If you are looking forward to learning more about Linux, you can definitely check articles available on Linux-tutorial.

Important details of Linux Lite

• OS family: Linux.
• Kernel: Linux kernel.
• Source Model: Open-sourced.
• Based On: Ubuntu LTS.
• Desktop-environment: Xfce.
• Update Method: apt
• Package Manager: dpkg.
• License: GNU General public license (GPL).
• Initial release: Linux Lite 1.0.0 – 26 October, 2012.
• Latest release: Linux Lite 6.6 64bit – 4th September, 2023.

System Requirements for Linux Lite

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor
• Memory: 768 MB RAM
• Storage: 8 GB or larger storage device
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot, and Legacy capable
• TPM: NOT REQUIRED
• Graphics card: 3D Acceleration Capable Video card with at least 256 MB
• Display: VGA capable of 1024×768 screen resolution
• Internet connection: Not Required.

Installation Process of Linux Lite:

Step 1: Visit Official website www.linuxliteos.com and visit the download section and click on download image, which will download the .iso file for you.

Step 2: Use tools like Etcher or Rufus to flash the image on a USB drive and make a bootable USB stick. Use GPT for newer desktops and MBR for old hardware.

Step 3: Insert the USB drive in your computer and using UFFI settings give the USB drive highest priority for boot. Disable secure boot on your system for hassle free boot.

Step 4: Use Linux Lite as live from pen drive or install it as stand-alone OS, otherwise along side your existing OS as a dual-boot device.

Important Features of Linux Lite:

Beginner-friendly user interface (UI):

Linux Lite was developed to make new Linux users and Windows users comfortable using Linux based operating system. It uses same windows like user interface with similar system tray and taskbar. It uses start menu application launcher as we see it in windows. The Xfce desktop environment is used to make all of these possible. The best part is that unlike windows, these all user interfaces can be customized.

Linux Lite User Interface

Support for Old Hardware:

It’s a common problem for a old laptop and computers running slow and not being able to run latest software and features efficiently. Linux Lite solves this problem by supporting use of old hardware. You visit the Linux Lite’s official website to see the comparison of System requirements of windows 11 and latest Linux lite version which is Linux Lite 6.6. This low specification requirement of Linux Lite helps the older computer and laptop survive in this era with support for latest software and constant update.

Comparison between Windows 11 and Linux Lite 6 series’ System Requirement

Pre-installed App and support for other Applications:

Linux Lite comes with a lot of necessary utility applications and with all major Linux system applications. Popular applications like Libre Office, Thunderbird Mail, Firefox, etc. comes pre-installed with Linux Lite. Linux Lite also supports installing popular applications like Google Chrome, VS Code, VLC media player. User can download third-party supported apps from internet and install them, otherwise can use command line utility to install them.

Security and Update:

Any Linux distribution is much safer then any other operating system as it provides limited access to system level information. It is much difficult for attackers to get into Linux OS. Linux Lite is also made using maintaining all security measures of Linux which makes it reliable in terms of security.

Linux Lite uses Ubuntu LTS as a base. The LTS stands for Long term support. Other than this, Linux Lite being open-sourced it’s code base is public and accessible to a community of developers online. This open-source nature helps bugs to get resolved quickly and introduction of new features.

Use Cases of Linux Lite

Continue using Old Hardware:

Linux Lite is an excellent choice to continue use old hardware as this OS can give new life to old computers and laptops struggling with resource-intensive Operating systems like Windows. Also many popular softwares are withdrawing their support for old windows versions, where you can still use them using Linux Lite OS.

Learning Linux:

If someone is looking for an Linux distribution to learn about Linux operating system, then Linux Lite can is beneficial for them with it’s beginner friendly user interface and windows like design. All major functionalities are available in this Operating system so learning Linux without not getting involved in too much technicality, Linux Lite is the best option.

Office and Productivity:

Linux Lite comes pre-installed productivity tools and Libre office suite, and user can also install popular browser like chrome and multimedia softwares like VLC, Spotify which makes this Operating system suitable for day to day use and office works. With straightforward user interface and support for latest applications and software with the security of Linux, Linux Lite is one of the best suitable option for different use cases.

Future Scope of Linux Lite

The mission to help users migrate from Windows and explore Linux Distribution Linux Lite is the entry point. With growing popularity, Linux Lite is expanding with time. In future we may see support for various devices and processors to be implemented in Linux Lite. We can see a larger community like Ubuntu for Linux Lite. As Linux Lite is based on Ubuntu LTS, we may see more popular software’s support for Linux Lite and better pre-installed applications for productivity, utility as well as office suites.We may also see new Desktop environments and customizations introduced to Linux Lite giving it more visually attractive to users still maintaining it’s beginner friendly nature. As windows OS has started releasing new versions and ending support for older PCs. Linux Lite may become the new reviver of the Old PC and Laptops to help them be in service for few more years.

Conclusion:

Linux lite is one of the popular user-friendly Linux OS based on Ubuntu. It is open sourced and freely available to download, though you can send monitory support for the developers. Use Linux Lite in your old computers to give them a new life and usable for years. If you are someone looking for options or you are an windows user, Linux Lite is the solution for you. Follow the steps provided to download Linux Lite and try it yourself.