Ah, 2024. You have been a yr, that is for sure. You had three hundred and sixty five days, every a slat on the curler coaster rails that moved us ahead whereas additionally taking us to increased highs and decrease lows.
One factor is for sure: 2024 noticed numerous unbelievable Linux distributions launched. There was a brand new Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, Rhino Linux, EndeavorOS, Manjaro, Zorin OS, openSUSE, Nobara, Garuda, and lots of extra, all of which shined in a technique or one other.
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However, for me, there was one distribution that rose above all the remainder and deserves the title of Greatest Linux Distribution for 2024.
That distribution is elementary OS 8. I inform you why beneath.
However first, how do I choose a “greatest distribution?” Is not this all subjective? In fact it’s. However I prefer to suppose that, with practically thirty years of utilizing and masking Linux, I’ve developed a reasonably deep understanding of the OS, what it might do, and what it means to the neighborhood of people that use and depend upon it.
So, my standards for being one of the best embrace the next:
- As polished an OS as potential
- Viable for any sort of consumer
- True to the mission of the OS
- It is distinctive
- It is dependable
- Viable for growing older {hardware}
- A chic but in addition easy desktop OS
Many distributions match the above record, however one stands out above the remainder: elementary OS 8.
Once I reviewed elementary OS 8, I claimed that it continued the tradition of being a beautiful, user-friendly desktop, and that checks two of the packing containers proper off the bat.
However let’s maintain it as much as my standards.
As polished an OS as potential
For a very long time, elementary OS has been a really polished desktop distribution. The discharge of model 8 actually reveals that off. The look of elementary OS 8 has barely modified since inception, which implies the event group has been capable of give attention to sharpening as an alternative of reinventing. That somewhat MacOS-like desktop proves you possibly can hold the identical interface and construct on it yr after yr. With model 8, elementary OS does simply that. Each side of this launch feels improved.
Viable for any sort of consumer
I’ve lengthy held elementary OS as a distribution for any sort of consumer, and model 8 cements that opinion. The newest elementary OS is a Linux desktop distribution that anybody, no matter talent degree, would discover extremely acquainted. Sure, it’s extremely MacOS-like, however that does not imply it’s a must to know Apple’s OS to succeed with elementary OS. This distribution affords a desktop that may be very intuitive — there aren’t any secrets and techniques with elementary OS.
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Model 8 improves on what it already has with options much more superior customers may get pleasure from, reminiscent of Safe Session and higher multitasking. New customers will respect the newly rewritten dock and the inclusive design.
True to the mission of the OS
The tagline for elementary OS is “The considerate, succesful, and moral substitute for Home windows and MacOS.” There is no such thing as a doubt to me that 2024’s model 8 holds true to that mission. In actual fact, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a Linux distribution that higher embodies its mission.
It is distinctive
There are a number of Linux desktop distributions which may seem like elementary OS, however they have a tendency to easily be themes utilized to one of many many frequent desktop environments. It is pretty straightforward to re-theme KDE Plasma, GNOME, or Xfce to seem like MacOS, however elementary OS seems and seems like MacOS by design. That is the Pantheon desktop, and it has stood out as distinctive for a very long time.
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Elementary OS was additionally one of many first distributions I can do not forget that delivered a unified design all through the desktop, and model 8 improves on that with aplomb.
It is dependable
If there’s one factor that is sure, it is the reliability of elementary OS. I’ve used this distribution fairly a bit, and I’ve all the time discovered it to ship rock-solid reliability. The identical factor holds true with model 8. Whenever you log into the desktop, you instantly really feel such as you’re engaged on a desktop that can by no means allow you to down.
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Given how a lot work went into this launch — and the way a lot was modified underneath the hood — it is a formidable feat for a brand new launch to not depend upon the following level model to repair the problems that come together with main releases. Model 8.0 feels extra like 8.1, and that is particular.
Viable for growing older {hardware}
Whereas wanting very very similar to a contemporary desktop distribution, elementary OS 8 can be very able to giving life to growing older {hardware}. That laptop you are utilizing with Home windows 10 (, the one which won’t support Windows 11) would make an excellent house for elementary OS. In actual fact, should you’re in search of a substitute for Home windows 10, elementary OS is not going to allow you to down.
A chic but in addition easy desktop OS
I actually can’t consider a extra elegant Linux desktop distribution that’s as easy to make use of as elementary OS 8. Certain, there are some desktop distributions that is likely to be cooler or may blow your socks off with the theme and format, however elementary OS 8 stands above the group for magnificence. The clear dock, the highest bar menu, the inclusive theme — all of it comes collectively to make for a wonderful desktop expertise that’s, on the identical time, as straightforward to make use of as any working system available on the market.
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Elementary OS has held a particular place in my coronary heart for a very long time, however 2024 is the primary yr that I’ve topped it greatest, and that title is nicely deserved.
Should you’ve not skilled elementary OS, I extremely advocate you obtain an ISO and both set up it as a digital machine or use it as a substitute for Home windows 10. Both means you go, elementary OS will impress.
