#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 install#
#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 drivers#
#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 driver#
#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 software#

#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 drivers#

It also cheerfully provides proprietary drivers and firmware where needed, and, although Ubuntu itself is fully free, Canonical is here to make a profit, meaning that enterprise-grade support contracts are available, and the developersвЂ™ approach to security is tuned to the needs of business. Ubuntu operates on a fast development cycle, particularly compared to DebianвЂ™s slow but stable releases.

#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 software#

CanonicalвЂ™s Snap packages, for example, are designed to make it easy to package and distribute tamper-proof software with all necessary dependencies included, making it extremely well-suited to office workstations. But it brings a lot of unique features to the table. UbuntuД«ased on Debian, CanonicalвЂ™s Ubuntu Linux shares a significant chunk of its architecture and software, such as the friendly apt package management system.

#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 driver#

For those who donвЂ™t want to drive straight to the DIY ethos, Manjaro is the most popular of its derivatives, built to be more beginner-friendly, with a graphical installation interface and quality-of-life tools for driver management.

#Best lightweight linux distro 2016 install#

Its official repositories typically update quickly enough, but these exist alongside the bleeding-edge community-driven AUR (Arch User Repository) system, from which you can compile packages and install them as usual via the pacman package manager. YouвЂ™ll have to choose your own desktop environment after installation, for example.

Arch LinuxДЄrch is a thoroughly modern, rolling-release distro that nonetheless aims to provide a classic Linux experience, giving you as much hands-on control over your OS and its configuration as possible. System76 is also an OEM, and makes laptop, desktop and server systems, all of which run the distro by default. Future iterations are set to ship with an entirely new window manager, developed in-house by System76.

Its slick Cosmic desktop is based on GNOME 2, and vaguely reminiscent of macOSвЂ™s GUI layout. Pop!_OS has a particularly pleasant graphical installation interface, designed to be quick and approachable. Its target audience is developers, digital artists, and STEM professionals. ItвЂ™s based on Ubuntu, but strips out some of the more controversial elements, such UbuntuвЂ™s default Snap package system, while adding useful features such as out-of-the-box support for Vulkan graphics. System 76вЂ™s Pop!_OS is one of the most comfortable choices for desktop Linux users who just want to get on with things. An Ubuntu-based distro is currently your best bet if you want things to just work with a minimum of faff, but our favourites also include distros like Arch and Slackware, which actively encourage you to cultivate a deeper understanding of the OS underlying your desktop. Best desktop distrosДЄlthough desktop Linux is a comparatively niche use case compared to the operating systemвЂ™s ubiquitous server presence, itвЂ™s also the most fun and rewarding.

Because they benefit from full-time corporate support and upkeep, these distros are often updated more frequently than at least some of their community rivals, and may be better options for businesses who prioritise stability. One last point to note is that while all Linux distros rely to some extent on voluntary contributions from a community of developers for their continued development and stability, some distros are backed by large commercial software development organisations, with Canonical (which develops Ubuntu) and Red Hat being key examples.