Lubuntu and Xubuntu are basically the distributions for the Ubuntu. Both are the lightweight operating systems. Xubuntu is based upon XFCE desktop environment while Lubuntu is based upon LXDE desktop environment.
The basic purpose for designing both was to develop a lightweight distribution that can work on low RAM machines i.e. 256 MB of RAM. Both have a good performance on netbooks and other slow computers. LXDE is lighter than XFCE and thus Lubuntu is lighter than Xubuntu.
Both of the operating systems have a suitable number of tools for everyday use and is no need for manual editing of configuration files. LXDE is in the development phase but XCFE seems to be stable at this stage.
What is Xubuntu?
Xubuntu is an operating system specially designed for low RAM machines. It is lightweight and quite easy to use the operating system. It is based upon XCFE desktop environment. XCFE is the light, configurable and stable desktop environment.
XCFE is even lighter than the Gnome Desktop Environment. It requires a minimum of 192 MB of RAM to run without the desktop. It requires a minimum of 512 MB of RAM to run the desktop. Minimum 256 MB of RAM is required to install Xubuntu.
What is Lubuntu?
Lubuntu is an operating system specially designed for low RAM machines. It is lightweight and quite easy to use the operating system. It is based upon LXDE desktop environment. Using LXDE, it is much faster and energy-saving variant of Ubuntu.
Its main target was the systems running on low spec hardware including PCs and laptops. It requires a minimum of 50 to 60 MB of RAM to run without a desktop. It requires a minimum of 224 MB of RAM to run the desktop. Minimum 160 MB of RAM is required to install Lubuntu.
Key Differences between Lubuntu and Xubuntu
- Lubuntu is based on LXDE while, Xubuntu is based on XFCE.
- Lubuntu operating system is much faster than Xubuntu operating system.
- LXDE desktop environment is lighter than XFCE desktop environment.
- Lubuntu is lighter than Xubuntu.
- Lubuntu requires a minimum 50 to 60 MB of RAM to run without desktop while Xubuntu requires a minimum 192 MB of RAM to run without the desktop.
- Lubuntu requires a minimum 224 MB of RAM to run desktop while Xubuntu requires minimum 512 MB of RAM to run the desktop.
- For Lubuntu minimum 384 MB of RAM is recommended to run while in Xubuntu minimum 512 MB of RAM is recommended to run.
- Minimum 160 MB of RAM is required to install Lubuntu while a minimum 256 MB of RAM is required to install Xubuntu.
- LXDE is in the development phase but XCFE seems to be stable at this stage.
- Both of the Xubuntu and Lubuntu require the 64 MB of RAM for installation with Alternate CD.
Nice article but still kinda confused lol. I’m trying Xubuntu out and really liking it. Not sure if I really want to install lubuntu now too to try it out. Hmm.