Garuda Linux is the fastest Linux OS I have ever tested, and the windows literately fly open at warp speeds – amazing combination of speed ‘n snappiness!!! Decided to see how Garuda would work on my low powered converted 12.2″ Samsung Chromebook – ‘Sam‘. Had Fedora Cinnamon ‘n EasyOS on it already, in a dual-boot, so installed Garuda on the 32GB eMMC drive that first had Chrome OS ‘n then EasyOS on it. 2.33 GB ISO, but no bloat wid Garuda Linux, just lots of handy apps ‘n programs – *PLUS* – some kind of Star Trek engine running it all, so 32 GBs was plenty big enough!

‘Sam‘ the converted 12.2″ Samsung Chromebook

Installed wid no problems…fast install. This 12.2″ Samsung Chromebook has always had sound problems, since I first started trying to convert it, and none of the Linuxes I install (including Google’s own CloudReady OS Linux) have had sound since. Have even read where that is a common problem wid that model Samsung Chromebook, but I don’t recall if there was a sound problem when it had Chrome OS on it new. I wanted to find a Chromebook that Linux could be installed on – see the Chromebooks page for more info.

Here is a GParted view of Garuda on the 32 GB eMMC drive:

Here is the 64 GB microSDXC Memory Card that Fedora is on:

Partitioning ‘n format of Garuda ‘n Fedora look very similar…not sure if all the ‘Archies‘ do that now. Linux is always changing, so something working two weeks ago may not work ever again. Anyway, Fedora knows what it is doing…most of the time. 😉

Here’s the info:

3.7 GiB of memory wid an Intel® Celeron® Processor 3965Y running ‘Thangs, and it still has great speed ‘n snappiness! Garuda seems even faster than EasyOS was on this converted Chromebook.

Updating ‘n adding apps ‘n programs

Linux has all kinds of package managers ‘n updating methods ‘n repositories everywhere, and it takes time to figure out how a new Distro does it. There are also Graphical and Terminal command line package managers. All part of the Fragmentation problems that Linus Torvalds talks about.

Garuda is Arch-based, and it seems ‘Archies‘ may have more ways to update than most, but am not sure. Anyway, Octopi won’t work in root section, but the Garuda Assistant’s “System Update” worked fine…some kind of automated Terminal called Alacritty:

  • ‘Alacritty is a free and open-source GPU-accelerated terminal emulator focused on performance and simplicity. Consequently, it does not support tabs or splits and is configured by editing a text file. It is written in Rust and uses OpenGL (for performance). A similar terminal emulator that uses OpenGL is Kitty.‘

During an add ‘Stuff‘ session, I tried to add some Graphical Package Managers…may have added two, if they weren’t already installed, i.e. they weren’t installed on the main ‘CM130‘ installation. Maybe all the ‘Archies‘ offer these, but Garuda Linux made it clear they were available. One was Add/Remove Software program called Pamac:

  • ‘Pamac (Add/Remove Software) is Manjaro’s Package Manager. It is based on libalpm with AUR and Appstream support. It focuses on providing an easy to use interface while still providing a powerful set of features.‘

The other is called Discover:

  • ‘With Discover, you can manage software from multiple sources, including your operating system’s software repository, Flatpak repos, the Snap store, or even AppImages from store.kde.org.’

Conclusion

I don’t normally delve into a Linux OS this long, in such a short span of time…like three days now. Still a learning process, but Garuda Linux is well worth the effort. I’m going to need at least a Part 4 to finish up…that should do it.  🤔

Computer “Speed” to the naked eye can be deceptive, but Garuda Linux is definitely fast (for Linux), as in ‘Snappy‘ wid windows sorta flllyyiiiinggg open, in a way I don’t recall seeing before. I would say that Garuda is faster than my main ‘Desktop Duty‘ Linux OS, Fedora Cinnamon, but I know how to upgrade or add new programs or update Fedora, and Garuda is still new to me…impressive, but new.

Have added a new spot in Tier One on the Karmi’s Top 10 5 2 3 4 Linux Distros page, but haven’t decided for sure yet, and have a few more tests. Garuda Linux would probably be in line as a ‘Desktop Duty‘ OS, and the Cinnamon DE adds a lot of points when I am doing a ratings review.

AlmaLinux & CentOS Stream recently lost the ability to easily install the Dash to Panel GNOME Shell Extension – which had made it possible to make the GNOME DE look a little like MS Windows and/or Cinnamon DE. Like I have said before, ‘Linux is always changing,’ and something that has been working for 18 months may suddenly stop working tomorrow wid that Linux Distro. Anyway, after that problem, I decided to go for smaller ISO’s (they are 7.5 – 8.5 GBs), and focus on Linux OSes that offer the Cinnamon DE…when looking for ‘Desktop Duty‘. Requirements are different for ‘Rescue‘ & ‘Portability‘, and other Special *PURPOSE* Linuxes.

Will add this post to the Garuda Linux page.

LINUX IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES – you never know what you’re gonna get!

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