The timing of the release of Linux Lite 4.8 could not have been more perfect. With Microsoft ending support for the popular Windows 7 operating system. While the company hopes that existing Windows 7 users will upgrade to Windows 10, many users are reluctant to do so, tired of the copious amount of updates, not to mention their perception that the software giant’s data collection methods are aggressive and dubious. For these users, the newly released Linux Lite 4.8 is a tempting alternative.
Windows 7 users will find the Linux Lite desktop interface pleasantly familiar.
Linux Lite 4.8 Minimum And Recommended Requirements
- CPU: 1GHz Processor – Minimum | 1.5 GHz Processor – Recommended
- RAM: 768MB – Minimum | 1024MB – Recommended
- STORAGE: 8GB Minimum | 20GB – Recommended
- RESOLUTION: VGA Screen 1024×768 Resolution – Minimum | VGA, DVI or HDMI Screen 1366×768 – Recommended
- MEDIA: DVD Drive or USB Port – Minimum & Recommended
Why Switch To Linux Lite 4.8?
Several factors make Linux Lite 4.8 such an attractive replacement to Windows 7 is that Linux Lite 4.8 developers specifically designed the distro to run on older hardware, on which a plethora of Windows 7 copies currently reside. The developers also created the distro to provide a familiar interface and welcoming experience to Windows 7 refugees.
Said the developers of their new release:
“Linux Lite 4.8 Final is now available for download and installation. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all Windows 7 people who have come here to find a simple, fast, and free alternative to Windows 7, which has reached its end of life and no longer provides security updates.”
The Linux Lite initial Welcome screen makes installation a snap.
The developers added that Linux Lite eases Windows 7 users transition to Linux much more comfortable by offering simple software like Teamviewer, VLC, Firefox, Chrome, the Timeshift backup utility, and a full Microsoft Office compatible office suite in LibreOffice. The team also touts their comprehensive easy to follow Help Manual.
It points out that the Linux Lite 4.8 Desktop is very much similar to Windows, including a Start Menu on the lower left of the screen with a try containing Calendar, Volume, and Network options. The distro also has familiar Desktop icons and includes Steam for those gamers who migrate in the next couple of days.
A few of the other gems the Ubuntu-based Linux distribution boasts include:
- A user-friendly setup with a Welcome screen that greets users at initial bootup and painlessly walks them through the installation process
- A comprehensive hardware database packed with over 30,000 searchable, existing PC configurations
- The powerful free Photoshop alternative image editor Gimp
- A friendly, helpful and welcoming Support Forum to get help with issues and questions you may have with Linux Lite
- Windows 7 Customized Wallpaper
- Out-of-the-box VirtualBox Support
- And many other “bells and whistles” sure to make users’ transition to the distro relatively effortless.
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The Linux Lite Help Manual ease easy to understand and will be a useful resource to Windows 7 users.
Conclusion
With Microsoft Windows 7 reaching “End of Life” today, users are going to have to make a switch, be it to Linux Lite 4.8, Linux Mint Cinnamon, elementary OS, Linux Lite, Deepin, or (shudder) upgrade to Windows 10. Sticking with Windows 7 is just a foolhardy decision. No user should rely on or use an unsupported operating system, and is fraught vulnerabilities, like the lack of security patches. It’s just asking for trouble.
Linux Lite 4.8 is not just an alternative or a “second-best” choice for Windows 7. I honestly think that users who switch to Linux Lite 4.8, or any of the other distros mentioned above are upgrading their machines to a much more secure, stable, and reliable OS. Add to that, the fantastic support the Linux community and its members provide, and users will soon realize the amazing computer experience that they’ve missed out on all of these years using that abomination dubbed Windows 7.
Interested FOSS Linux readers can download Linux Lite 4.8 from the distribution’s website.
4 comments
sorry Linux Lite
that is 64bit only, and says minimum of 768mb
that is so retarded for windows 7 users… if you wanted anyone to downgrade to linux, you made sure to NOT GET THAT 🙂
I can certainly understand the appearance of a dichotomy. However, after over 25 years in IT, I’ve seen almost everything. According to the Linux Lite site, “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.”
That means if such a user exists out there with under 1GB of RAM on 32-bit, they can download a Linux Lite release that will be supported for the next year. The Linux Lite 3.8 32bit distro can be downloaded from https://osdn.net/projects/linuxlite/storage/3.8/.
Thanks for your comment and pointing that out.
Travis
Zorin and Mint still offer 32bit isos and they are easy to use for windows 7 users. But you’re right, it was silly for Lite to offer a distro for older computers but in 64bit only.
I can’t speak for Linux Lite other than to say it’s awesome. I’ve not worked with the 32-bit distros (from any Linux OS), but can say I’ve worked with Linux Lite for a few years now. They are solid, as is there support. 32-bit is falling by the wayside, and we, as Linux enthusiasts must adapt.
But, you bring up an excellent point. Perhaps a “Best 32-bit Linux Distro” is necessary. We’ll look at it, and may have something soon.
Thanks for that, and please know we are on it,
Travis