Top 10 Linux Distros Reviewed

snk — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:40:27 +0000

A Linux distribution is an OS based on the Linux kernel, and they usually consist of many applications. The main reason that everybody loves Linux is because it’s free, unlike an OS from Microsoft. Also, the Linux distros are more reliable, more secure, more stable, and they don’t require as much memory as Vista. Here is an insight of the best Linux distributions available for computer users which will help you to choose between them. There are plenty of distros out there, but these are the Top 10 that we enjoy the most.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is probably the most popular Linux distribution of all distributions and it represents a software for the entire world. Ubuntu is three times free – free to download, free to use, and free to distribute. The latest version of this distribution is 8.10 and it was unveiled without too much fuss. Ubuntu 8.10 is an OS with higher scores in performance testing than Windows Vista, it’s more functional than Vista, it’s better when managing wireless connections, and I repeat that it’s free while Vista seems to tax you for each and every BSOD you get.

A PC will boot faster when using Ubuntu than when Vista is used. Also, applications are opened and switched faster on Ubuntu, and now this Linux distribution has improved the management of wireless connectivity therefore managing WiFi or broadband won’t give you headaches anymore. Other improvements were made for the Ubuntu 8.10 including the possibility to create a guest account that can be saved on a flash drive and then used on another PCs, and a more secure base.

More Ubuntu resources:

openSUSE

openSUSE is a project for new and experienced users, and its developers would like it to become the most usable Linux distribution and desktop environment in the world. The latest version is openSUSE 11.1 and it comes packed with several major improvements including a new license which allows redistribution, additional proprietary add-on CD and online repository, better administration features, and openJDK as replacement of Sun Java.

It’s very easy to install openSUSE 11.1, then you will have too choose between KDE 3.5.10, KDE 4.1.3, GNOME 2.24.1, Xfce 4.4.3, and 3D desktop using Compiz Fusion or kwin/KDE4 desktop environments. After you customize your categories and sub-categories, then you should try applications like OpenOffice.org 3.0, Wine 1.1.9, NetworkManager 0.7, Firefox 3.0.4, Bittorrent, Pidgin 2.5.1, and Banshee 1.4.1 among many others. openSUSE 11.1 features 3G and Bluetooth support, it’s reliable, free to download, fun and easy to use, and it will help you to get the job done!

More openSUSE resources:

Debian

The following Linux distribution from our list is called Debian and it provides the basic software for a computer to work. The latest stable version is Debian 5.0 which is easy to install on a machine and it continues the tradition of previous versions thanks to its “precompiled” software. Debian 5.0 comes with top management tools, and security fix windows among others.

This is the first time that Debian Installer comes in the Linux distribution, however, it’s not really that great, but it’s fairly helpful. The partition manager sucks, but hardware detection during installation is good even if many firmware files are missing, in particular WiFi and other files for internet connections.

Debian 5.0 features an user-friendly desktop, excellent multimedia support, improved network configuration and automatic printer set-up, and we can say that it’s a reliable Linux distribution, but the installation process is rubbish, and remember that many firmware files are missing.

More Debian resources:

Homepage

Planet Debian

Debian Tutorials

Debian Administration

Debian Forums

Debian System Admin Tutorials, Howtos, Tips

Linux Mint

Here comes Linux Mint 6, a distribution based on Ubuntu 8.10 that features a user-friendly desktop environment, lots of useful and fun applications, but with many other utilities in order to make it a unique OS. Linux Mint 6 is the latest release, it’s very reliable and it takes only 15 minutes to install and configure on an average computer. The main distribution for Linux Mint 6 is GNOME desktop, but after the setup you can download the KDE-based version if this is the one you prefer.

Additional software will be installed via MintInstall program, while MintBackup will copy & save all files from your home directory. Linux Mint 6 comes with a friendly firewall, good networking solutions, it’s customizable and you will find applications like Open Office, GIMP, Mozilla Thunderbird, Pidgin, Firefox 3.0.5, and a default printer object. We think that Linux Mint 6 is better than Debian 5.0 because it doesn’t miss important firmware files, and it’s more pleasant to use.

More Linux Mint resources:

Homepage

Linux Mint Forums

Fedora

Fedora 10 is a Linux distribution which comes with lots of new features and improvements, and I have to mention that boot speed is higher now. We welcome the fact that the old and rusty RHGB has been replaces with the brand new and powerful Plymouth. Fedora 10 is easy to install, and thanks to the fact that is based on the 2.6.27 kernel it provides the latest improvements and enhancements. This version of the Linux distribution looks great, and works great therefore we can only praise it’s speed and functionality.

Fedora 10 features OpenOffice.org 3.0, NetworkManager, better remote support, better webcam support, First Aid Kit, Gnome 2.24, LiveConnect, LXDE Desktop, glitch free audio, and online accounts service, but the list can continue with SecTool, and RPM 4.6. This version of the Fedora Linux distribution has been improved dramatically since its last version and it’s now faster, more reliable, more aesthetic and more secure, and we can definitely say that this is a solid release.

More Fedora resources:

Homepage

Fedora FAQ

Fedora Forum

SimplyMepis

Mepis is a Linux distribution based on Debian and it uses the 2.6.26 kernel which is more stable and faster. The latest version is Mepis 8.0 and it was designed with simplicity in mind in order to attract more users. We can say that the developers accomplished their goal as the 8.0 version is very easy to use, it works great, the hardware detection is unique and flawless while the configuration is superior to most Linux distros. The advantage of SimplyMepis is that it can be tested without having to install it so you will notice its cool design.

SimplyMepis 8.0 features Network Assistant, System Assistant, User Assistant, OpenOffice.org, Mozilla Firefox, Amarok music player, and it offers Microsoft Office support. We recommend this Linux distribution for new users who would like to test Linux’ capabilities, and to see that is faster and more secure than Windows Vista.

More SimplyMepis resources:

Homepage

Mepis Forum

Mandriva

Mandriva 2009 is another Linux distribution which is perfect for new Linux users as it offers a “painless” switch from Windows or other OS to Linux. Mandriva 2009 is fast and easy to install like most distros around here, and it give you the possibility to try it without any bad consequences. This distro is not only destined for new Linux users, it’s also perfect for experienced users and it consists of 20,000 packages and the best tools for a system to work.

Mandriva 2009 comes on one CD where you will find everything you need to run it, and to customize it. Using Mandriva you will experience the best 3D desktop technologies, best tools and applications, and you can choose between two desktops – Gnome and KDE. Thanks to its large amount of packages, Mandriva can be used for everything and users can access almost all Linux applications.

Mandriva 2009 features applications like OpenOffice.org, Gwenview, GIMP, Mozilla Firefox, Amarok, and Totem. This Linux distribution is available in four version – Free, One, PowerPack, and Flash. If you are a new Linux user, then we recommend the Free version because it’s… free!

More Mandriva resources:

Homepage

Mandriva Club

Mandriva Forum

ArchLinux

The next Linux distribution on our list is called ArchLinux and I’m just tired of repeating that it’s fast and easy to install on a computer. Probably most of the distros are quick and easy to install, but your life is easier with ArchLinux beginners installation guide which was probably designed for new Linux users. Although it takes some time to configure the system, ArchLinux is a very fast, very stable, and very functional OS and it’s exactly everything you’d expect from an OS.

You will notice that the first boot defaults to the FSCK and then the system is rebooted automatically. We were impressed by the fact that ArchLinux boots up very, but very fast and you will be ablo to continue the setup and configure your computer.

The latest version of the distro is ArchLinux 2009.02, it’s based on 2.6.28 kernel, and it features KDE 4.2.0, Gnome 2.24, X.Org 7.4, GIMP 2.6.5, Firefox 3.0.6, OpenOffice.org 3.0.1, GCC 4.3.3, and many other applications as well as lots of bugfixes. In conclusion, we can say that ArchLinux 2009.02 is a very fast distro, probably faster than Ubuntu, and it’s fully customizable so what more could you ask?

More ArchLinux resources:

Homepage

ArchLinux Forum

Planet ArchLinux

PCLinuxOS

This Linux distribution is not very stable. Why? Because the latest version of the distro is a beta release, the third in a series of releases. The PCLinux OS 2009 is based on kernel 2.6.28, and it comes packed with lots of features including Firefox 3.0.5, Thunderbird 2.0.0.14, Open Office 3.0, Amarok, Ktorrent, Java JRE, KDE 3.5.10, Flash, and it seems like the KDE 4 will arrive here very soon. Although it’s a beta release, this version of PCLinuxOS is very functional with many applications available for new and experienced Linux users.

We wouldn’t recommend it for new users because it’s a beta release therefore it’s not very reliable or stable, but PCLinuxOS 2009 works well and probably the final version will be even better, faster, and stronger. Security could be a problem so you should be careful when or where you are using this beta release. Note the fact that this beta version will not be upgradable for the final 2009 version so it would probably better to install it on a separate partition.

More PCLinuxOS resources:

Homepage

PCLinuxOS News

CentOS

This Linux distribution is more of a Debian-stable like distro and its developers are concentrating their powers on security and stability. Here is the CentOS distro which is among the most stable Linux distros available for users. The installation process is quick and easy mostly because of the Anaconda system installer, but it has a major flaw – it requires 512MB of RAM, but in text mode 128MB of RAM will be just fine.

Unfortunately, CentOS doesn’t have a first-run wizard to configure your services, applications, localization, and many others, and the first boot-up will take a few extra-seconds. Gnome 2.16 needs a too much memory at first, but after a few tweaks, CentOS 5 will become as fast as any other Linux distribution.

CentOS 5 features Mozilla Firefox, Evolution, Gimp, OpenOffice.org, and many other useful applications. I wouldn’t recommend this distro for a new Linux user even after the updates and bugfixes, and even if it was significantly improved from the last version. This is a stable release, and for experienced users is great, maybe better than Fedora 10, but I will leave it up to you. A final issue for CentOS would be the fact this it gets slower with the time and we already hate Windows because of this!

More CentOS resources:

Homepage

Planet CentOS

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Top 10 Linux Distros Reviewed