Note: Our best Linux desktop round-up has been fully updated. This feature was first published in November 2013. The desktop is a critical aspect of your Linux experience, providing you with a user-friendly way to interact with your computer. Unlike Windows or Mac, Linux doesn't tie you to a single desktop. Switching desktop environments is. Linux desktop environments are the graphical interfaces used to interact with the operating system. It's important to note the difference between desktop environments and window managers. Window managers only take care of application windows themselves - how they look, what buttons are shown (minimize, close), how they are arranged, etc. A desktop environment on the other hand includes. In 2018 thanks to the DXVK project Linux gamers are now able to run DirectX 11 Windows games on Linux - Wine's own implementation is severly lacking and will probably be replaced with DXVK. In August 2018 Valve released Proton for Steam: this compatibility layer based on Wine, allows you to run native Windows games from the Steam catalogue in. See full list on maketecheasier.com. Jun 03, 2019 Best Linux Distros 2018 1. Ubuntu 18.04 LTS ‘Bionic Beaver’ It was the most critical release of Ubuntu in the distro’s 14 year history.
- CPU: 1Ghz processor
- RAM: 768mb ram
- STORAGE: 8gb
- RESOLUTION: VGA screen 1024x768 resolution
- MEDIA: DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
- CPU: 1.5GHz processor
- RAM: 1024mb ram
- STORAGE: 20gb
- RESOLUTION: VGA, DVI or HDMI screen 1366x768
- MEDIA: DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED SPECIFICATIONS:
Standard package list and more details here.
Check out our hardware database here.
How do I put Linux Lite on a DVD or USB? Click here.
How do I download with BitTorrent? Click here.
Download BitTorrent for Windows or Mac here. Linux users here.
Want a personalised DVD or a stylish USB key with Linux Lite already loaded? Click here to visit our Secure Online Shop and choose from a range of products. Thank you for your support.
In Windows Search, type msinfo or msinfo32 and launch the desktop app named System Information. Look for the BIOS Mode item, and if the value for it is UEFI, then you have the UEFI firmware. If it says BIOS Mode Legacy, then that’s the firmware you’re running. Also, in general, UEFI-enabled machines have faster startup and shutdown times as compared to BIOS-Legacy machines. If you bought the computer/motherboard after 2010, chances are you have a UEFI system. If you are still unsure, download the UEFI version as it will also detect and run on a BIOS-Legacy computer.
It is highly recommended that you turn off Secure Boot or you will have a far less enjoyable computing experience. To disable Secure Boot, see here.
Linux Lite 5.2 Final is now available for download and installation with full UEFI support. This is the most feature rich, complete Linux Lite release to date. This is the release many people have been waiting for. 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. Our Desktop is laid out just like it is in Windows with a Start Menu to the left and a tray to the right with Volume, Network and Calendar options. See below for What's New.
COMMON SOFTWARE
Web Browser - Firefox 82.0
Email Client - Thunderbird 68.10.0
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: 20.04.1
Kernel: 5.4.0-52 (custom kernels are also available via our Repository for versions 3.13 - 5.9)
Series: 5.x
DESKTOP UI
Window Theme: Adapta
Icon Theme: Papirus
Font: Roboto Regular
WHAT'S NEW
Removed Adobe Flash, now unsupported
Removed defunct GTK2 themes
Added SimpleScreenRecorder, Teams and Zoom to Lite Software
Added easy toggle ON/OFF for FirewallD in Settings Manager
Added easy toggle ON/OFF for Lite Widget in Settings Manager
Added Battery Status to Lite Widget (Laptops only)
Added more Screensavers
Added more Printer drivers
Added Spellcheck for LibreOffice (US only)
Added Restore Taskbar feature to Lite Tweaks
Added new Wallpapers
Updated UEFI files for build process Http facebook messenger.
Fixed Lite Sounds bug
Fixed Notifications bug
Latest Papirus icons theme
Grub image - now transparent
If you are writing the ISO to a USB on Windows, Mac or Linux, you need use Etcher - https://www.balena.io/etcher/ We only support Etcher as it has shown to be the most reliable in our testing.
Linux or Mac command line:
Yumi, Multiboot and other multi-boot applications are not supported. If you do use unsupported third party software to burn Linux Lite to a USB, try logging in with ubuntu as the username and password, or just as the username, no password. Adobe acrobat pro portable italiano.
If the screen locks during Live mode, type linux or one of the above usernames into the user box and click on the Login button (no password required)
Linux Lite 5.2 64bit - 1st November, 2020
FILENAME: linux-lite-5.2-64bit.iso
SIZE: 1.4GB - DVD, USB
MD5SUM: 75acfa25daf0117c37d9ceb72545fb89
SHA256: abd13a1aafc5824b68ea3b1e007e85ce39b2e3904f62f4de78f98d7cb5cd4104
HTTP MIRRORS: Click here
TORRENT HASH: 33ca7e486294da8191a3d675934cc38a92cf2267
LIVE USER: Login to the live desktop is automatic
Need a great download tip? Here's one straight from the developers.
Consider popping in a small donation. This will really help us get closer to our goal of being 100% community funded. Thank you.
(You do not need a PayPal account, you can use your Credit Card to tip.)
For a range of donate options, check out our Donate page.
When your download has finished, drag and drop the ISO or click on the box below to navigate to your downloaded ISO.
Then check it against the MD5SUM for your ISO just above.
Your file will not be uploaded. instead, we use some clever pixie dust to do the magic.
There will be no 32bit ISO from Series 4.x onwards. If you still need to run a 32bit operating system, our Series 3.x is supported until April, 2021. Download it from here.
To upgrade from within a Series, click on Menu, Favorites, Install Updates (you must reboot if prompted to) then Menu, Settings, Lite Upgrade.
There is no upgrade path to or from RC releases.
There is no upgrade path from Series to Series.
Linux Lite releases are announced and ready 12AM New Zealand Time on the 1st of that months release date.
Other time zones:
Australia, Perth - 8PM (31st)
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro - 9AM (31st)
Canada - Montreal - 8AM (31st)
China - Beijing - 7PM (31st)
Finland, Helsinki - 1PM (31st)
France, Paris - 2PM (31st)
India, Mumbai - 5.30PM (31st)
Israel, Tel Aviv - 3PM (31st)
Japan, Tokyo - 9PM (31st)
Kuwait, Kuwait City - 3PM (31st)
Australia, Sydney - 10PM (31st)
Pakistan, Lahore - 5PM (31st)
Russia, Moscow - 3PM (31st)
South Africa, Cape Town - 2PM (31st)
Spain, Madrid - 2PM (31st)
United Kingdom, London - 1PM (31st)
United Arab Emirates, Dubai - 4PM (31st)
USA, New York - 8AM (31st)
The release schedule for Linux Lite.
Linux Lite 5.8 Release - 1st February 2022 (End of Support April 2025)
Linux Lite 5.6 Release - 1st September 2021
Linux Lite 5.4 Release - 1st April 2021
Linux Lite 5.2 Release - 1st November 2020
Linux Lite 5.0 Release - 1st June 2020
Linux 2018 Desktop Download
Linux Lite 4.8 Release - 14th January 2020 (End of Support April 2023)Linux 2018 Desktop App
Linux Lite 4.6 Release - 1st September 2019
Linux Lite 4.4 Release - 1st April 2019
Linux Lite 4.2 Release - 1st November 2018
Linux Lite 4.0 'Diamond' Release - 1st June 2018
Linux Lite 3.8 Release - 1st February 2018 (End of Support April 2021)
Linux Lite 3.6 Release - 1st September 2017
Linux Lite 3.4 Release - 1st April 2017
Linux Lite 3.2 Release - 1st November 2016
Linux Lite 3.0 'Citrine' Release - 1st June 2016
Linux Lite 2.8 Release - 1st December, 2014 (End of Support April 2019)
Linux Lite 2.6 Release - 1st April, 2015
Linux Lite 2.4 Release - 1st September, 2015
Linux Lite 2.2 Release - 1st February, 2016
Linux Lite 2.0 'Beryl' Release - 1st June, 2014
Linux Lite 3.8 Release - 1st February 2018 (End of Support April 2021)
Linux Lite 3.6 Release - 1st September 2017
Linux Lite 3.4 Release - 1st April 2017
Linux Lite 3.2 Release - 1st November 2016
Linux Lite 3.0 'Citrine' Release - 1st June 2016
Linux Lite 2.8 Release - 1st December, 2014 (End of Support April 2019)
Linux Lite 2.6 Release - 1st April, 2015
Linux Lite 2.4 Release - 1st September, 2015
Linux Lite 2.2 Release - 1st February, 2016
Linux Lite 2.0 'Beryl' Release - 1st June, 2014
Is Linux an alternative for Windows in 2019? Ready to take the FOSS plunge?
Despite once being termed “a cancer” by Microsoft’s Steve Balmer, the Linux operating system has won, we’re told.
The vast majority of the world’s online services now run on Linux. Websites, communications packages, ERPs, databases and almost every software-as-a-service available online runs on, and is powered by, some variant on Linux— even the PS4 gaming console runs a flavor of it— so why in the majority of workplaces do the desktop machines still run Windows?
Fire up your desktop computer or open the laptop, and it’s the Windows splash screen that greets us – mostly. Will that ever change, and will Linux ever make the transition to the everyday computing environment which many of us utilize to get work done?
Readers of a certain age may recall the decision taken by Germany city Munich’s government to switch to open source solutions for its IT infrastructure back in 2003. It had decided on a Linux variant as an operating system, and use of OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office. Since then, the council has voted to switch back to Windows 10, a transition to be completed by 2023, quoting reasons of interoperability between Linux and proprietary systems.
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But the IT environment has changed significantly in the last few years, most significantly in this context with the rise of cloud computing. Where even ten years ago the predominant desktop model was one of local application installation, now many apps run in the cloud, with only an internet connection required on modest hardware to run enterprise-class applications.
Google’s Chromebook concept has made some headway in exploiting this new computing paradigm, with Chrome OS happily operating on low-end laptops. Both Android and Chrome OS are arguably from the open-source stable, so could the concept spread to other free and open source software (FOSS) deployments in time?
Google as a company runs Linux (Goobuntu) on the machines of most staff. Users who need or prefer Windows as their operating system have to apply for special dispensation to do so. And while one of the world’s biggest companies has greater resources than just about every other organization on the planet, their experiences may be an example others can follow.
So what are the issues that need to be considered if we’re to re-examine the possibility of FOSS on the desktop once more in 2019?
Microsoft’s revenue growth to 2018. Source: Statista
Money
Deployment of any IT platform involves a calculation of total cost against potential gains.
- Software license cost, if any. Put simply Windows 10 and Microsoft Office cost money; the FOSS alternatives do not.
- Service and support costs. Red Hat may be a free OS, but the company makes its not unsubstantial income by support and service. But Linux-based computing tends to run more reliably and securely than its commercial counterparts, with significantly lower support costs – companies with all-Apple desktops will happily tell you that their machines (running a BSD variant) rarely go wrong.
- Migration – like any deployment, the process of a new platform’s rollout can be significant and encompass many factors such as staffing, training, testing, maintenance, and monitoring.
- Integration – the presence of legacy systems brings up issues of Linux/FOSS working alongside or with proprietary software & systems.
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Training
Getting staff to move over to a new operating system needn’t be a high hurdle to overcome. There are, if necessary, versions of Linux (or rather, GUIs to Linux) that look and feel a lot like Windows. The image of Linux as being difficult to use, and needing command-line knowledge is long gone. The most common distribution of Linux, Ubuntu, ships with a highly attractive, usable and stable desktop that is learned quickly and easily.
Installation
One of the big stumbling blocks to people using Linux is the difficulty many experience in getting it installed onto a PC. There’s the long download of .iso images, making and ‘burning’ boot devices, then possible BIOS/UEFI reconfiguration. After that, wiping and partitioning disks isn’t a simple task, plus there are the issues surrounding hardware devices (such as wireless cards) and the availability of Linux drivers.
The big difference here between traditional Windows machines and Linux is that Windows comes as part of OEM installs. In fact, installing Windows from scratch is just as problematic as any other operating system install, Linux included – it’s just that we rarely have to bother.
In some geographies, machine manufacturers offer Linux OS pre-installed on desktops and laptops, plus such pre-configuration is always available from boutique PC vendors.
But if an organization has a dedicated IT department, or the funds required for one factored into its TCO calculations, then getting Linux rolled out needn’t be an issue for the end-users. Audacity sound mixing.
Applications
Every organization uses its own apps and interfaces, so instead of attempting to discuss every possible application’s viability in an all-Linux environment, we instead have taken a single member of the TechHQ team’s application choices, and have seen if they can be replicated– or improved upon– in FOSS.
As you’ll see from the table here, in the majority of cases, there is either a web-based alternative or – if on-machine deployment is necessary (for working offline, for example)– a native Linux alternative.
There are some variations that a simple table can’t cover in the context of an either/or comparison. Users of Google’s G-Suite of online applications can, for instance, opt to work on documents offline, or online as normal. Microsoft’s online versions of Office have slightly different functionality from the installed app versions– as ever, the devil’s in the detail (or, in computing terms, in the testing).
None shall parse? Source: Wikipedia
For that problematic use-case scenario of where a proprietary piece of software is an absolute must, there’s always the virtualized operating machine. One such example came up during this article’s research, where a highly-complex Excel formula simply wouldn’t parse into any other application. As a temporary workaround, we’d suggest a hosted version on the desktop of Window/Office – but clearly, this isn’t a sensible way forward in the main.
Windows-native application | FOSS version | Cloud version | FOSS alternative |
---|---|---|---|
Internet Explorer/Edge | No | N/A | Chromium, Firefox |
Outlook | No | Yes | Evolution, Thunderbird |
Word/Excel/PowerPoint | No | Yes | WPS Office, Libre Office |
Grammarly | Web plug-in | Yes | Writefull, Slick Write |
Dropbox | Yes | Yes | Seafile, NextCloud |
OneDrive | Yes (unofficial) | Yes | pCloud, Spider Oak |
NotePad | No | No | SimpleNote, SublimeText |
Spotify | Yes | Yes | Musicolet, Spotify as a Snap |
Acrobat PDF Reader | No | No | Evince, Ocular |
Adobe PhotoShop | No | No | GIMP, Inkscape |
Linux 2018 Desktop Computers
In conclusion, here are some of the pros and cons that TechHQ found in the course of our research. As mentioned above, mass deployment of Linux would depend very much on many factors, with total cost probably at the heart of any decision.
Availability of training for staff, company ethos, IT support budgets– all will play their part. In short, however, here’s what we surmised, from a technology point of view:
Advantages
- Linux runs for longer on what in the Windows world becomes legacy hardware. A modest processor and 4GB of RAM is ample for most users, so IT departments can expect hardware to last over five years, not the more traditional two or three.
- Applications and services can be customized by organizations to serve their ends with relative simplicity.
- There are significantly fewer cybersecurity concerns on Linux than on Microsoft solutions, plus OS and application patches tend to have less impact on the day-to-day running of the organization.
Disadvantages
- Initial installation onto computers of different configurations can be problematic, especially when it comes to drivers for wi-fi connections, touchscreens and so on.
- System compatibility with existing proprietary systems can be difficult. Companies locked into the Microsoft Windows/Office/SharePoint/Exchange environment will struggle in the short term.
- Decision-makers and support staff may take some convincing to switch to FOSS, not because of any inherent problems with the platform, but rather because of complaints from users unhappy with having to change or relearn.
8 January 2021
8 January 2021
8 January 2021