By theory, serving two masters is almost impossible. In reality, the distribution of Linux Lite 4.6 often quickly attracts newcomers to Linux and veteran penguin fans.
This is a very beginner-friendly distro (distribution). This is essentially the result of a fine-tuned Xfce desktop interface that offers a familiar base for former users of Windows and macOS. More proven Linux Lite users can change the Xfce settings beyond the already well-suited default settings to improve their features.
Linux Lite 4.6 based on the introduction of Ubuntu 18.04.3, released on Dec. 3. It shouldn’t matter the recent arrival of Ubuntu 19.10. This launch is not an LTS update so that that reliability can become a concern over its two-year lifetime.
I still felt that the distro’s title— “Linux Lite”— was a confusing misnomer. Developer Jerry Bezencon wanted the title to underline the user-friendliness incorporated into his Linux distribution when it was first published years ago.
To me, this indicates a less powerful operating system than is usually offered by a so-called Linux standard or heavy Linux distro. That misconception is detrimental to the actual performance of Linux Lite.
Linux Lite 4.6, based on the release of Ubuntu 18.04.3, debuted on Dec. 3. It shouldn’t matter the recent arrival of Ubuntu 19.10. That release is not an LTS version so that it can become a problem for stability over its two-year lifetime.
I still found the title of the distro to be a misleading misnomer— “Linux Lite.” Developer Jerry Bezencon certainly wanted the title to underline the user-friendliness incorporated into his Linux distribution when it was first published years ago.
To me, it suggests a less efficient operating system than is typically provided by a so-called Linux standard or heavy Linux distro. The confusion is doing a great disservice to the actual performance value of Linux Lite. The definition of “lightness” is embedded in the Xfce desktop’s lightweight performance.
Linux Lite 6.4 (Light) but the full-featured operating system
Linux Lite 6.4 is a full-featured comprehensive operating system that allows you to get too serious business right out of the box. This distro has many powerful features in its favor.
Xfce is a resource-conservative desktop environment that works well on older computers and is powerful when built on the latest hardware. This energetic desktop environment, combined with the Ubuntu Linux base’s high-performance features, produces an efficient, stable operating system.
Linux Lite 4.6 targets Windows users mainly in pursuit of an optimal on-ramp conversion to Linux. It’s also a good choice for Linux users already looking for an all-purpose computing platform ready to take them to Linux’s next level.
Linux Lite 4.6 under the hood is no slouch. The 4.15.0-58 Linux kernel powers it with custom kernels from the repository of the community. It comes preloaded with the web browser Firefox 68.0.2 Quantum and the email client Thunderbird 60.8.0.
What is included in Linux Lite, and what’s new?
New in this latest release of a distro is a theme selector that makes it easy to choose from the initial setup, either light or dark. Or you may prefer the updated theme of the Papirus icon, updated to the latest release.
The xfce4-cpufreq-plugin CPU Quality mode is now included as an option for the system tray. Right-click on Taskbar, Table, Add new objects, CPU Frequency Monitor to pick it. Right-click it and push it to where you want it to be.
New documentation on the platform makes it easier to migrate to Linux Lite 4.6 than previous releases. This includes a new knowledge guide for the keyboard and the number lock in the Lite Welcome software.
The Linux Lite community maintains a detailed support manual to provide trouble-free migration for new users. It’s a fantastic source of information.
The Help Guide includes a new guide on installing Linux Lite on a permanent USB drive to store settings, added apps, and personal data. Linux Lite is not explicitly released as a Linux distro that is portable.
A growing trend among Linux distro developers is to provide an alternative to booting from a live DVD session by copying the ISO files to a bootable USB storage device. Having the ability to save system changes provides a feature not supported by all USB installations. Yet Linux Lite does.
Linux Lite 4.6 OS System Overview
Linux Lite has nothing minimalist about it, despite its name. The “lightness” makes this distro suitable for underpowered and aging computers and new hardware systems as a fully functional operating system.
Another factor that makes this Operating System the meaning of its name is its default code base, which is somewhat skimpy. Linux Lite does not download two or three applications for the same function as other Linux distros sometimes do, which appear to clutter menus and home folders with unused programs.
Linux Lite comes with a small collection of apps to help users with their daily computing needs. The comprehensive package management system and repository give you broad access to many applications that can be added as needed. Besides, the Xfce machine tools are detailed and give you complete control over how Linux Lite looks and operates.
The developers make an exception by including some essential applications not usually found in the Xfce code’s default bundles. These include the LibreOffice 6.0.7.3 package, VLC media player version 3.0.7, Gimp version 2.10.12 photo editor, and Timeshift version 19.08.1, to render automatic regular backup copies of your entire installation of Linux Lite.
The Lite Info software allows users to use the distro hardware registry to register their program. You can test whether other users have succeeded in running Linux Lite on a matching machine. The database shows the technical specifications of systems running the Linux Lite distro successfully, including makeup, CPU, audio, network, and memory.
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Linux Lite 4.6 Hardware Requirements
On computers that meet these minimum requirements, you can run Linux Lite 4.6:
- 1Ghz processor
- 768MB ram
- 8 gb HDD/SD
- VGA screen capable of 1024×768 resolution
- DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
You will get better performance with these preferred specs:
- 5GHz processor+
- 1024MB ram+
- 20GB HDD/SSD+
- VGA, DVI, or HDMI screen is capable of 1366×768 resolution+
- DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
Linux Lite OS Look and Feel
The desktop screen environment for Xfce is smooth and plain. This makes menus, system settings, and configuration choices easy to navigate.
The taskbar is positioned at the bottom of the screen and is identical to an older Windows model that is not atypical to Linux. It is prevalent for the more popular Linux desktop interfaces— Xfce, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon— to use a design scheme that places a fully functional panel bar at the bottom of the screen and allows panel and device icons and fast launchers.
It defines the Xfce desktop interface. The bottom panel fills the screen’s entire bottom edge. Mac-like planks or other dock models can be unlocked.
The screen of Xfce is highly configurable. The menu-accessible device settings panels provide support for all the tinkering you want. The Xfce panel has a preconfigured virtual workspace switcher applet with two desktops. Up to several hundred more can be added.
One of my favorite Xfce desktop features is the right-click menu access that can pop up anywhere on the screen. One of Linux Lite’s best system tools is Lite Tweaks. This provides a list of multi-screen setup activities. For those, you want to execute, click on the checkboxes. Then press the Start button in the Tweaks window at the bottom right corner.
Linux Lite Desktop Navigation
There is a two-column indicator on the menu button in the far left corner of the panel screen. All classes are shown in the left column. The wider right column lists all categories in the class chosen.
A search window occupies the menu window’s left half of the edge. The settings panel, the lock screen, and the Log Out panel are buttons on start to its right.
The taskbar’s far right-hand side includes the usual clock read, volume control icon, Internet connection status icon, and Workspace Switcher applet. The taskbar core displays the minimized windows and other programs running. You can right-click any menu item to position it in Favorites, on the screen, or the Taskbar’s Quick Start section.
Conclusion
Linux Lite 4.6 offers a lot of usability and versatility. The desktop provides much more system control and configuration options than many more popular desktops like Enlightenment, GNOME 3, and Budgie.
All controls and configurations of the device are located within the main menu display in the Configurations option. Windows users will find the Control Panel very related.
Only recent beginners to Linux won’t need much experimentation or head-scratching to work through Linux Lite. The design is intuitive and familiar. The Welcome panel offers a valuable collection of information and resources.
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