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GNU+Linux VS Xubuntu

Compare GNU+Linux VS Xubuntu and see what are their differences

GNU+Linux logo GNU+Linux

All Linux distributions with a GNU userland

Xubuntu logo Xubuntu

Xubuntu โ€“ Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Download XubuntuXubuntu โ€“ Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Feature Tour.
  • GNU+Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-11
  • Xubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18

GNU+Linux features and specs

  • Open Source
    GNU+Linux is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute. This fosters a collaborative development environment and enhances security through transparency.
  • Customizability
    Linux offers extensive customizability, allowing users to modify the system to meet their specific needs. This includes choosing from a variety of desktop environments, window managers, and software packages.
  • Security
    Linux is known for its strong security features. Its permissions-based structure, along with a strong community of developers and frequent updates, helps in quickly patching vulnerabilities.
  • Stability and Performance
    Many Linux distributions are lauded for their stability and efficiency, making them ideal for servers and systems that require high uptime and performance.
  • Wide Range of Distributions
    There is a large variety of Linux distributions available, each tailored for different needs, from user-friendly options like Ubuntu to lightweight versions like Puppy Linux.
  • Cost
    Linux is free to use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations looking to reduce software costs.
  • Community Support
    Linux has a vast and active community of users and developers who provide support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of GNU+Linux

  • Learning Curve
    For users accustomed to Windows or macOS, the transition to Linux can involve a steep learning curve, especially when dealing with command-line interfaces and different file system structures.
  • Software Compatibility
    Some proprietary software and games are not natively supported on Linux, requiring alternatives or compatibility layers like Wine to run them.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While Linux support for hardware has improved significantly, there can still be issues with drivers for certain proprietary hardware, particularly with newer or niche devices.
  • Fragmentation
    The large number of distributions and desktop environments can lead to fragmentation, making it challenging for developers to ensure compatibility across all versions and for users to choose the right distribution.
  • Limited Professional Support
    While community support is extensive, professional support options can be limited compared to those available for other operating systems like Windows and macOS, although companies like Red Hat and Canonical do offer professional support.

Xubuntu features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Xubuntu's use of the Xfce desktop environment ensures it is lightweight and consumes fewer system resources, making it ideal for older or less powerful hardware.
  • User-Friendly
    The interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing both new and experienced users to navigate and manage the system with ease.
  • Customizability
    Xubuntu offers a high degree of customization, enabling users to tailor the system's look and behavior to their preferences.
  • Stability
    Based on Ubuntu, Xubuntu benefits from a solid and stable foundation, providing a reliable operating system experience.
  • Extensive Software Repository
    Users have access to Ubuntu's extensive software repositories, making it easy to find and install a wide variety of applications.
  • Community Support
    There is a large and active community of users and developers who provide support, documentation, and resources for troubleshooting.
  • Security
    Regular updates and security patches are provided, ensuring that the system remains secure against vulnerabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Xubuntu

  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    Compared to some other desktop environments, Xfce might feel a bit barebones initially, requiring users to customize and install additional software to meet their needs.
  • Not as Polished
    The visual appeal and polish might not be on par with more modern desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, which could be a downside for users who prefer a more aesthetically pleasing interface.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While generally good, Xubuntu might still encounter hardware compatibility issues with very new or very obscure hardware components.
  • Less Corporate Support
    Unlike Ubuntu, which has substantial backing from Canonical, Xubuntu does not receive the same level of direct corporate support, potentially limiting official resources and development funding.
  • Learning Curve
    For those unfamiliar with Linux or coming from a different desktop environment, there may be a learning curve involved in getting accustomed to Xfce and Xubuntuโ€™s way of doing things.

Analysis of Xubuntu

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Xubuntu is a good choice for those who need a straightforward, fast-operating system that won't burden older hardware. It successfully combines the reliability of Ubuntu with the lightweight nature of XFCE.

Why this product is good

  • Xubuntu is a lightweight and efficient Linux distribution, ideal for users who seek a balance between performance and visual appeal without the resource demands of full-fledged desktop environments. It's based on Ubuntu, ensuring strong community support and regular updates, and uses the XFCE desktop environment, which is known for its simplicity and speed.

Recommended for

  • Users with older or low-specification hardware
  • Individuals who prefer a clean and uncluttered interface
  • Those seeking a balance of performance and visual appeal
  • Users looking for a dependable system with access to a large library of software

GNU+Linux videos

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Xubuntu videos

Thoughts on Xubuntu 19.04 - Linux distro review

More videos:

  • Review - Xubuntu 18.04 LTS Review
  • Review - Xubuntu 19.10 Review - Now with XFCE 4.14 Desktop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GNU+Linux and Xubuntu)
Linux
8 8%
92% 92
Linux Distribution
8 8%
92% 92
Operating Systems
8 8%
92% 92
Mobile OS
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare GNU+Linux and Xubuntu

GNU+Linux Reviews

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Xubuntu Reviews

Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Xubuntu is a community-maintained and built with Ubuntu as a base. Instead of Ubuntuโ€™s GNOME desktop environment, Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment. It โ€˜s goal is a light, stable and configurable desktop environment with conservative workflows.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Xubuntu should be more popular than GNU+Linux. It has been mentiond 66 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

GNU+Linux mentions (16)

  • Newbie advice 1
    Familiarize yourself with the search page and the many categories you cans search by. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Installing Debian bookworm without systemd
    Distrowatch's Advanced Search page: https://distrowatch.com/search.php#advanced Note that under the "Init Software" section (scroll down on page), the following two choices (amongst numerous others, perhaps too many!) are included: [ ] systemd [ ] Not systemd In other words, here, the User, regardless of their opinion, regardless of their political ideology (or lack thereof!) -- has a happy choice! They can choose... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Debian 12 โ€œBookwormโ€ Released
    Do it, and tell the world how I mistreated all kinds of interesting (but small) projects, if it makes you feel better. :-D Here a list of almost all the OS distris I've left out: https://distrowatch.com/search.php?ostype=All&category=All&origin=All&basedon=Independentยฌbasedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=All&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simple... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Trying to figure out which Linux all ideas are welcome. Distro hopping.
    Distrowatch can help you search for distros based on another distro (eg: Debian derivatives if you really like Debian), or a particular version of a package or desktop (eg: latest XFCE 4.18): https://distrowatch.com/search.php. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Linux mint isn't working for me. What distribution can I use for a pretty bad laptop. (Specs below)
    You can search for more ideas on DistroWatch: https://distrowatch.com/search.php. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Xubuntu mentions (66)

  • Omarcacca
    I wiped and installed xubuntu minimal, I setup the tiling keybinds, installed a few of the packages I needed, it took me 2 hours in total, instead of the days I spent to setup and chisel away crap I did not need out of Omarchy. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • DevOps Setting
    I'm currently operating and developing on an International Business Machines (IBM) LeNovo ThinkPad in a GNU Not GNU (GNU) / Free Libre UNipleXed Information X11 Computing System (Linux) XForms Common Environment (XFCE) based Ubuntu (Xubuntu) distro with only free libre open source software (FLOSS) under combined open source licenses and ethical source licenses, specially the Do No Harm Hippocratical License and... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • One must imagine Sisyphus writing a new JS framework
    You can install a light weight Linux distro (free of course) on almost any old piece of junk with a CPU and you'll get a perfectly good programming machine. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Can I run Linux on my old PC ?
    Yeah, for sure you can give It a try! Imo you have to use a lite desktop environment like xfce maybe . You can have a pretty good idea of what can be your experience Just running a live distro like Ubuntu xfceUbuntu xfce or Linux Mint xfce, if you are really desperate you can also try a very very lightweight like puppy linux. I Will try One of the First 2 in live mode and if It runs well you can install It on the... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Can my computer run linux VM?
    If you still want to try it on a VM, I'd recommend assigning just 1 GB to it, coupled with a lightweight desktop environment, like XFCE (you can use Xubuntu). Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GNU+Linux and Xubuntu, you can also consider the following products

DistroWatch - 9 hours ago - It does include a proprietary software set optimized for business users, students, researchers and developers." A list of features and further details can be found in the company's release announcement.

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Twister OS - A Debian based OS with a ton of useful apps like Box86 and Steam, and theme switching to look like Windows, MacOS, and many more.

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linuxยฎ distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.