The Xfce desktop is designed to look very familiar with only a few changes.
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ZDNET Highlights
- Lubuntu and Xubuntu are both Ubuntu flavors.
- Both default to a familiar desktop layout.
- One is much more configurable than the other.
There are many flavors of Ubuntu. There are Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Unity, Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Ubuntu Cinnamon, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio and Ubuntu Studio.
There’s also Lubuntu and Xubuntu.
I want to take a look at those last two versions because they both serve the same purpose: a lightweight Linux distribution based on Ubuntu.
On the surface, they may seem similar, but they are actually quite different.
Let’s dive in.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu is an Ubuntu flavor with LXQt desktop environment. LXQt uses Qt. For those who don’t know, Qt is a powerful, cross-platform development framework used to build native-looking GUI applications that run on Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android. Qt has its own IDE (Qt Creator) and extensive tools and libraries for development, and apps are able to run on different platforms and even use the same codebase.
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LXQt is a very fast desktop environment that can give new life to old hardware. When I say “very fast”, this is what I mean. LXQt is one of the fastest desktop environments you can use.
One nice aspect of LXQt is that it uses the same desktop metaphor that has been used since the advent of Windows 95: a panel, Start menu, system, tray, and clickable icons. Lubuntu was designed to be as simple as possible, as well as light, fast, and modern.
Lubuntu is best suited for those who are either migrating from Windows 10 or trying Linux for the first time and want to install it on an additional machine. This doesn’t mean you can’t install this Ubuntu flavor on a new machine, but considering how many PCs there are that won’t run Windows 11, it’s an obvious path forward.
Lubuntu is a no-frills Linux desktop distribution. However, I will say that there are some “frills” that I’m glad the developers have retained. Those features are focus follow mouse and window shading.
Focus follows the mouse exactly as it sounds. When you hover your cursor over a window, it automatically gets focus, so you don’t need to click on it first. You can combine this with auto-resize, and your desktop becomes much more efficient.
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Windows shading is a feature whereby when you double-click the window titlebar, the window “rolls up” (like a shade), leaving you with only the titlebar visible. It’s a great option for multi-tasking (which I used to use all the time in my enlightenment days).
One thing people who are new to Linux will appreciate about Lubuntu is that it’s not one of the most configurable desktop OSes on the market. The lack of customization means the desktop is much simpler than some other options. You won’t have to worry about accidentally breaking something because there are so many options to consider. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it desktop environment with the added bonus of being very fast.
Is Lubuntu Right for You?
This is a fairly easy question to answer. If you’re looking for a fast, lightweight Linux distribution that’s instantly familiar, easy to understand, and not dependent on user customization, Lubuntu may be a perfect fit for your needs. With this distribution, you can revive your old Windows 10 PC and get it running with speed and efficiency it hasn’t seen in years (if ever).
Lubuntu is a Linux desktop that doesn’t feel like a Linux desktop because it is so basic and simple. This does not mean that it is not functional, because it is functional. Lubuntu strips away the complexity to provide a distribution that anyone can use.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu is another fast, lightweight Linux distribution. This time, you will get the Xfce desktop environment. Although on the surface, a basic Xfce configuration may resemble LXQt, they are very different.
Like Lubuntu, Xubuntu also works perfectly on older hardware, and it performs great on modern PCs as well.
The level of customization differentiates Xubuntu and Lubuntu. Xfce is one of the most highly customizable desktops on the market. There’s almost nothing you can’t change with Xfce. Although Xfce may seem like a simple, straightforward desktop environment, when you start digging into the options, you’ll find that it can become overwhelming very quickly.
For this reason alone, I don’t recommend Xfce to new users. Of course, anyone can log into the default Xfce desktop and start using it immediately. The problem arises when those users start getting curious and learning about the vast array of customizations.
Suffice it to say, you can change Xfce to exactly the look and feel you want, but it takes some work. If you’re willing to put in that work, you’ll find Xfce to be a wonderful desktop environment. At the same time, you can use the default Xfce layout (which is identical to the LXQt layout – except for the bottom panel) and work with it. As long as you’re not too fussy about customization, you’ll be fine.
Out of the box, you’ll probably want to add a bottom panel, which is done by clicking the menu button in the upper left corner and then going to Settings > Panels.
One might be inclined to say that Xubuntu is the Lubuntu flavor that is suitable for all types of users. Under normal circumstances, I’d be inclined to agree with that assessment. However, because Xfce has so many options, some of which may cause problems for less savvy users, I tend to steer Linux newcomers away from Xfce.
Is Xubuntu Right for You?
Another simple question worth answering. If you want a lightning-fast Linux desktop that’s highly customizable, works on both old and new hardware, and can still function as a full desktop, then Xubuntu is the better choice.
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Both distributions benefit from Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernels, so installing on modern hardware should not be a problem. For those who are new to Linux, go with Lubuntu. For anyone who uses Linux and wants a desktop that can do more, Xubuntu is the best choice between the two.
