What is Porteus? Who it is for
Porteus is built on Slackware. It uses Xfce, KDE or LXQt as its desktop and modules for software, and it follows numbered releases on a fixed schedule.
Porteus at a glance
- Foundation: built on Slackware
- Desktop: Xfce, KDE or LXQt
- Software tools: modules
- Release style: numbered releases on a fixed schedule
- Installer: a portable USB setup
Who Porteus suits
Porteus suits people who want a modular, portable live system.
Strengths
- Low memory and processor use, which helps older or modest computers feel quick.
- Small and quick to start, which makes it handy for repair, recovery and portable use.
Things to consider
- The lighter design means fewer built-in features and a plainer look than the big desktops.
- It is designed for portable or temporary use, so it suits a live USB drive better than a permanent daily system.
- As a rough guide, about 1 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Try Porteus from a USB drive
The easiest way to find out is to start it from a USB drive without changing your computer. See the Porteus bootable USB drive, then follow our install guide when you are ready. New to this? Read how to try Linux without installing it and how to boot from a USB drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is Porteus good for beginners?
It can be used by beginners, but Porteus is aimed more at people who want a modular, portable live system. If you are brand new, a beginner-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu is usually an easier first step.
What desktop does Porteus use?
Porteus uses Xfce, KDE or LXQt. To learn how desktops differ, read what GNOME, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon are.
How much RAM does Porteus need?
As a rough guide, about 1 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Is Porteus based on another distribution?
Porteus is built on Slackware.
How often is Porteus updated?
Porteus follows numbered releases on a fixed schedule.
How can I try Porteus without installing it?
Write it to a USB drive, restart, choose the drive from the boot menu and pick the live or try option. Nothing on your internal disk changes unless you choose to install.