This Minimalist Linux Distro Is Built For Small Business - And Runs Like A Dream

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Synex Linux is simply a minimal distribution for respective usage cases.
• Synex boots fast, runs smoothly, and is very stable.
• You tin download, install, and usage Synex for free.

It's a reasonably safe stake to opportunity that Linux is nan astir elastic operating strategy connected nan planet. There isn't an lawsuit I tin deliberation of wherever Linux won't shine. From wide use, enterprise, development, creativity, mini businesses, IoT, cloud, network, appliances… nan database goes on.

So erstwhile a distribution comes retired to opportunity that it's geared toward mini and mid-sized businesses, it amended person thing to backmost that up. When I decided to footwear nan tires of Synex, I thought I'd first sum up nan cardinal features of nan distribution, which are:

• Minimalist design, focusing connected simplicity and basal applications
• Performance and stableness inherited from its Debian base
• Four desktop environments from which to take (KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce, and LXDE)
• Simple installation
• Targeted astatine those who want a simple, straightforward experience.

OK, that's each good and good, but it sounds for illustration respective distributions based connected Debian. That being said, is location thing that makes Synex guidelines out? 

I installed some Synex GNOME and Synex KDE to spot what I could find.

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Out of nan gate

With some nan GNOME and KDE Plasma return connected Synex, nan first point I noticed was that nan installer was very overmuch successful statement pinch nan installer recovered connected astir Debian-based distributions (minus those based connected Ubuntu). Other than it being arsenic elemental to instal arsenic immoderate Linux distribution, location was really thing outstanding to speak of during nan installation. It took possibly 5 minutes to get nan OS up and running.

Once nan installation was completed, present were nan first differences I discovered:

• With nan GNOME version, I had to reboot to use nan disposable upgrades.
• With nan KDE Plasma version, I did not person to reboot.
• Both versions included nan desktop package app (GNOME Software and KDE Discover) arsenic good arsenic nan MX Package Installer.
• Both versions included a minimum number of preinstalled applications.

The GNOME return connected Synex is cleanable and dark.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

My contiguous mobility was, "How would this distribution entreaty to mini and mid-size businesses?" I tin surely spot really it mightiness beryllium a bully action for wide usage. Even pinch nan minimal instal base, location are plentifulness of options for installing apps (two GUI app stores and Flatpak), which should entreaty to mean users. You'll besides find Flathub integration pinch GNOME Software arsenic good arsenic KDE Discover, truthful you won't person to touch nan bid statement for app installation.

The problem there, however, is pointing caller users to nan devices basal for installing applications. To that end, I would emotion to spot a Welcome instrumentality included. Given that does not exist, users will person to flick astir nan Application Overview (GNOME) and nan KDE Application Launcher (KDE Plasma) to find nan devices for installing applications.

Again, I ask, what sets Synex isolated and could thief make you migrate from Windows to Linux?

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Patience not required for bootup

It took maine a while to fig it out. It's not 1 point that sets Synex isolated for each types of users. Instead, it's nan sum full of nan distribution. 

• Synex allows you to determine what apps are installed (so you don't consciousness for illustration thing is being forced upon you).
• Given that Synex is based connected Debian, it's incredibly stable.
• Synex (both versions I tested) is very fast.
• Bootup is incredibly fast. I timed some Synex KDE and Synex GNOME astatine 12 seconds.

That bootup clip is impressive, and is 1 of nan main reasons why I tin spot this distribution being a coagulated action for businesses, wherever each 2nd counts. Even Pop!_OS connected my System76 Thelio cannot compete pinch that startup time. For anyone who has to regularly unopen down and commencement their computer, Synex would beryllium a awesome option, simply because you're astatine nan login punctual successful seconds.

I thin to locomotion nan obstruction connected Linux distributions that vessel pinch nan bare minimum of package preinstalled. I've ever believed that users who are caller to Linux would use from having astatine slightest a halfway postulation of apps, specified arsenic LibreOffice, Thunderbird, GIMP, and Bitwarden preinstalled. For business users, I would adhd Slack, Zoom, and moreover (gulp) Microsoft Teams. 

GNOME Software makes installing apps very simple.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

However, nan much I utilized Synex, nan much I realized nan use of not shipping pinch a postulation of preinstalled apps. By going this route, users (or businesses) tin take precisely nan package they need, without having to woody pinch nan added bloat they'll ne'er use. Often, those unneeded applications tin slow down footwear times, truthful why adhd them?

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A alteration of heart

When I first logged into Synex (both GNOME and KDE Plasma versions), I questioned nan viability of nan distribution. However, nan longer I utilized them, I recovered myself having a alteration of heart. This cognition accommodation came by measurement of nan accelerated footwear times, nan velocity astatine which nan OS runs, and nan simplicity it offers. Once you person nan OS installed, you tin easy make it your ain (without having package aliases default configurations that mightiness make your caput rotation successful confusion). 

So, yeah, I'm really digging Synex and tin now spot why it mightiness beryllium a coagulated action for each types of users. If, however, location was 1 personification type I would opportunity should skip this distribution, it would beryllium gamers. Because of nan minimalist quality of Synex, you won't find immoderate package to make gaming easier preinstalled. If you're a gamer, instrumentality pinch 1 of nan respective Linux distributions geared specifically for that purpose.

In nan end, Synex impressed me, and I would happily urge it to anyone who is consenting to flick astir an app shop to instal nan package needed to beryllium creative, organized, productive, aliases entertained.

You tin download 1 of nan 4 different Synex spins for free and instal it arsenic a virtual instrumentality aliases connected a spare machine to spot if it fits your needs.

Keep successful mind that Synex hails from Argentina, truthful you'll request to make judge you prime your circumstantial connection during nan installation.

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