Linux Lite

Overview

Linux Lite is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support). Designed with lightweight, user-friendly, and easy to migrate from Windows as its core principles, it's suitable for beginners, users with older hardware, and everyday office use. Developed by Jerry Bezencon and his team, and hosted at linuxliteos.com, it supports x86_64 and i386 architectures (ARM support is in testing) and ships with the Xfce 4.18 desktop environment by default. Linux Lite uses a rolling release model and emphasizes low resource requirements (minimum 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU, 2 GB RAM, and 15 GB disk). It provides the Calamares graphical installer and the apt package manager. It simplifies software installation through the Lite Software tool, aiming to "dispel the myth that Linux is difficult to use."

History and Development

• Origin:
  • 2012: Created by Jerry Bezencon as a lightweight derivative of Ubuntu, aiming to provide an easy transition for Windows users and address resource usage issues.
  • Early versions were based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, used the Xfce desktop, and introduced the Lite Welcome wizard.
• Development History:
  • 2013: Linux Lite 2.0 was released, adding the Lite Software app store.
  • 2015: Version 2.4 optimized Xfce 4.12 and supported more hardware.
  • June 2022: Linux Lite 6.0 "Fluorite" was released, based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, introducing a new theme and kernel management.
  • September 2023: Linux Lite 6.6 was released, supported until June 2027, with improved LibreOffice integration.
  • September 1, 2025: Linux Lite 7.6 released. Based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, Linux Lite 6.8 kernel, Linux Lite 7.6 introduces a community wiki, updated LibreOffice 25.8, and themes. Supported until June 2029.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by Jerry Bezencon and his team, hosted on linuxliteos.com, GitHub, and the forums (forum.linuxliteos.com).
  • Supports English and some Chinese (via Xfce settings). Documentation includes a wiki and hardware database.
  • A Reddit user called Linux Lite 7.6 "the best choice for Windows 10 migrations."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v3 (core), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

Linux Lite is user-friendly, lightweight, and Windows-compatible, making it suitable for both beginners and older hardware. Here are its key features:

1. Xfce Desktop Environment
   • Xfce 4.18 is used by default, occupies approximately 500MB of RAM, and provides a familiar taskbar and menus, mimicking the Windows interface.
2. Lite Software App Store
   • A customized app store that provides one-click installation of popular software (such as LibreOffice, VLC, and GIMP).
3. Ubuntu LTS-Based Stability
   • Based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, offering 5 years of support (until June 2029).
   • Uses the apt package manager and supports Flatpak and Snap.
4. Hardware Compatibility
   • Supports older hardware (minimum 1.5 GHz dual-core, 2GB RAM, 15GB disk space). Kernel 6.8 is compatible with Intel, AMD, and Nvidia.
5. Development Support
   • Pre-installed Python 3 and Git, with support for Flatpak and Snap.
6. Community Support
   • Provides forums, Discord, and a built-in Help Manual.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• User-Friendliness:
  • The Xfce interface and Lite Welcome wizard reduce the learning curve, surpassing Arch Linux's manual configuration.
  • X's post states, "Linux Lite 7.6's Wiki makes it quicker for new users to get started."
• Lightweight:
  • Requires 500MB of RAM, making it suitable for older hardware and superior to FunOS's JWM.
• Ubuntu LTS Stability:
  • 5 years of support.
• Windows Migration:
  • Familiar layout, superior to Qubes OS's complex VM.
• Community Support:
  • Active forum and hardware database.

Limitations

• Limited Customization:
  • More pre-installed software, better than Bodhi Linux's Moksha but not as minimalist as Archcraft.
• Limited ARM Support:
  • The ARM version is a beta version, not as good as Raspberry Pi OS.
• Software Update Speed:
  • Slower than Archcraft's rolling updates.

Summary

Linux Lite is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS. The latest version, 7.6 (as of September 1, 2025), is based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS and features Xfce 4.18 and kernel 6.8. It supports both x86_64 and i386. Focused on being lightweight (500MB RAM), user-friendly, and suitable for Windows migration, it provides Lite Software and a community wiki. Linux Lite is known for its portability and minimal requirements, but customization is limited.