Lubuntu Netbook Remix: A Look
Ubuntu Netbook Remix is not the only game in town for users looking for an Ubuntu interface that caters to the small screens (and, in some cases, touchscreens) of netbooks. Lubuntu also offers its own version of the “netbook remix.” Read on for a look.
Back in February, we wrote a couple reviews of Lubuntu, the lightweight Ubuntu variant based on the LXDE desktop environment. But we got too wrapped up with Lucid’s release and other pressing business to take a look at Lubuntu Netbook Remix.
Why LNR matters
If you read this blog very often, you know that I tend to write stuff off as insignificant, because I’m pessimistic like that. It would be typical of me to conclude that no one will ever use LNR, because Ubuntu Netbook Remix (and its next-generation cousin, Unity, which I wrote about last week) already fills its niche adequately.
But as much as I’d love to dismiss LNR, I can’t. It may be only an alternative interface for an alternative variant of an alternative operating system, but it also stands out for several reasons, most notably:
- In contrast to Unity, it doesn’t require 3D video hardware. When UNR is retired, LNR will be the only *buntu interface that will work on netbooks without 3D acceleration.
- Like Lubuntu, it’s blazingly fast on modern hardware. UNR and Unity are fast enough, but nothing beats Lubuntu when it comes to speed (or finding a full-featured Linux distribution for an old machine).
- While UNR and Unity ditch Gnome toolbars altogether, LNR combines the traditional Lubuntu desktop panel with a netbook interface. This hybridized approach may be better in some cases.
Taking a look
So what does LNR actually look like? Here are some screenshots:
As the screenshots demonstrate, LNR is essentially just regular Lubuntu, with a special, big-buttoned netbook interface substituted for the desktop. The normal Lubuntu panel is still available at the bottom of the screen.
All in all, there’s not much else to say about how LNR actually works. It’s a simple, straightforward product; what you see is what you get. When I was using it, the only criticism I had was that there are no keyboard shortcuts for navigating between the different categories of the netbook interface.
Would I ever use LNR? Probably not, because my netbook is pretty adept at running regular Gnome. But if it were slower and I decided to switch to Lubuntu, I’d probably choose the netbook interface over the regular one. After all, the only thing I’d be giving up is the image on my desktop background, and I could live with that.
So how does one get it?
Brwn: good question. You can download the ISO for Lubuntu from http://lubuntu.net/blog/lubuntu-1004-now-available-download You can choose the netbook interface at the login screen. If you boot into the live environment and don’t see the login screen, just log out and you’ll have the option to choose the netbook interface.
Makes sense, thanks a lot. Will try it.
I’m running an old VIA EPIA M with XP on it (for my neophobe wife – “It’s what she knows”). The IG module is SIS, so no acceleration on Linux, as far as I know. LNR might just save it from being chucked, which would be a shame as I like the no-fan TranquilPC TGV7 box it’s in.
[…] 刚刚看到这个 Lubuntu Netbook Remix 的界面倒是感觉眼前一亮，虽然我知道它是另外一个 Xandros ，但是依然有很强烈的想把它装到上网本硬盘中的愿望。它基于 LXDE ，LXDE 以轻量著称，又有 Ubuntu 的血统，可能体验要比 Xandros 好一点。更何况它除了上图所示的上网本专用界面，还有传统的 LXDE 界面。 […]
yuck
Excuse me, but what is the login and password for Lubuntu. I booted it, got the Lubuntu desktop, logged out to login as netbook, but don’t know the login and password.
James LaRue: I think the default login is username ‘lubuntu’ and password ‘lubuntu’. You could also change the password once you’re logged into the default session, then log out to use the netbook session.
excuse me what the super user password in lubuntu?
@Rafa, sorry for the late reply. The super user password should be just your normal password.