Top choice for easy use and speed on budget computers.
Top choice for easy use and speed on budget computers.
Opposite of what is suggested in the previous notes, Lubuntu isn't the top choice for budget machines. It launches slowly and the interface feels quite heavy. The top three picks for low-cost desktops are antiX Alpine Linux, Void Linux, and I will discuss why Void Linux paired with XFCE plus glibc stands out. If you're running Alpine Linux, your setup will launch quicker than any other option. Logging in and closing will also be swift, and the interface will feel very quick. You can easily make it functional. It requires minimal effort. However, you might face issues with screen tearing on Intel CPUs paired with Nvidia Optimus laptops. I haven't managed to fix it and I'm considered an expert. For antiX, it's satisfactory as long as you won't connect a TV to your machine. I don't think IceWM or Fluxbox handle that well. Void Linux with XFCE and glibc is the most suitable choice for budget systems. It launches and stops impressively fast (much quicker than Lubuntu). Most importantly, XFCE remains very smooth even on older laptops that cost around $500. The package manager runs efficiently even on very slow hard drives. Some say Void plus XFCE is meant for advanced users, but that's not true. It was fully installed in just four minutes, even though I'm familiar with Arch Linux and similar setups. I can't imagine anyone struggling to install it in half an hour without prior Linux knowledge. It's incredibly quick, offers a responsive interface on older machines, and is more stable than Solus. Opening file managers (thunar), viewing photos (viewnior/feh), handling PDFs (evince) work faster than on some premium systems today. The only drawback is the lack of native browser performance compared to Solus and Clear Linux, but overall app performance is satisfactory. You get used to it within about an hour. The only minor issue was audio functionality not being available by default, and pavucontrol missing, but it was fixed quickly: https://docs.voidlinux.org/config/media/alsa.html https://docs.voidlinux.org/config/media/pulseaudio.html For installing pavucontrol, see https://docs.voidlinux.org/config/media/pulseaudio.html Void Linux shines with older hardware still using HDDs and similar. It's straightforward. The ISO I used to install it took only four minutes: https://repo-default.voidlinux.org/live/...0-xfce.iso
I would outline the complete setup of Void Linux as follows:
1. Obtain the ISO file.
2. Transfer it to a USB drive using the specified command.
3. Initialize the installation with a USB boot and launch the installer.
4. Follow each instruction in the installer, which should take roughly four minutes if you have some Linux experience.
5. Restart the system and launch the GUI environment automatically.
6. Perform the necessary updates using Void’s package manager.
7. Add essential applications such as audio utilities and plugins.
8. Finish by installing the required packages for sound support.
This process equips you with a fully functional desktop tailored to your existing hardware, offering superior performance compared to other Linux distributions. You can adjust the GRUB timeout settings for smoother boot times, similar to Arch Linux. For advanced users, you can further customize the system by modifying GRUB parameters.
Additionally, Void Linux supports powerful tools like Flatpak and Nix, offering access to over 80,000 packages.
I'm here to assist others, and your content might not match your preferences exactly. What I’m conveying is that Lubuntu isn’t as compact as some believe, and you’ve probably noticed this yourself. If you really support my view, there’s no need for this kind of reply. The same applies to Linux Lite—it isn’t a true lightweight version, and the misleading name leads many to use it on older systems, even though better alternatives exist.
On Linux communities it’s often mentioned that dd remains the most dependable option. This applies to systems running Linux. For Windows users, a tool exists at https://www.balena.io/etcher/, which relies on dd internally, similar to the command I referenced. I’ve learned that balenaEtcher performs additional verification steps after writing the file, making it a more trustworthy choice compared to Rufus.
@The Hope — using Ventoy, you just paste the ISO into the folder the app makes on the USB drive. The way people react often depends on how you express yourself. I learned some personal insights by completing a Personality Test inspired by Carl Jung’s (not Freud’s) 16 types — https://www.humanmetrics.com/personality Embrace self-discovery!
I don't understand which forum you're referring to, as they often mention that if someone else hasn't, just right-click the ISO file and choose "Make Bootable USB." Yes, I've created many such drives and completed numerous installations. The most frequently recommended method is using Rufus.
You believe every Linux installer user is a former Windows user transitioning to Linux—a big misunderstanding. In reality, far more Linux ISO files are created daily for USB storage by Linux enthusiasts than by Windows users. Etcher versus Rufus? A thorough analysis https://etcherpc.com/etcher-vs-rufus/ Rufus misses a key advantage: its cross-platform compatibility. Since Rufus is Windows-only, it falls behind Etcher in versatility. Etcher has established itself as the go-to solution for crafting bootable USB drives. Its straightforward design and intuitive interface set it apart, allowing even beginners to quickly produce a bootable drive. How to Make a Bootable USB Drive https://www.maketecheasier.com/check-usb...windows10/ For Windows users, the quickest method is to download and set up BalenaEtcher. This tool effortlessly writes any ISO file onto a USB stick.