Introduction to Solus
Solus is an independent Linux distribution that focuses on delivering a polished, modern, and easy-to-use desktop experience for everyday users and enthusiasts.
Unlike many distros that are based on Debian or Arch, Solus builds its own foundation from scratch, which allows the development team to have full control over the system’s components and update cycle.
History and philosophy
The project was born in 2015 under the leadership of Ikey Doherty, who sought to create an operating system that prioritized aesthetics and functionality without sacrificing performance.
Since its inception, Solus has adopted a rolling release model, meaning users receive continuous updates without needing to reinstall the system.
This philosophy is reflected in the choice of its default desktop environment, Budgie, designed to be intuitive and visually appealing.
The Budgie desktop environment
Budgie is the desktop environment developed by the Solus team, although it is also available in other distributions.
It combines elements of GNOME with a customizable panel, a simple application menu, and a series of applets that facilitate access to system settings.
- Bottom panel with launchers and notification tray.
- Application menu of the “Budgie Menu” type that allows searching and launching programs quickly.
- Integrated applets for weather, music player, and volume control.
Thanks to its lightweight design, Budgie consumes fewer resources than heavier environments like KDE Plasma or GNOME Shell, making it ideal for moderate hardware.
Software management with eopkg
Solus uses its own package manager called eopkg, which is a fork of PiSi designed to be fast and simple.
The basic commands are similar to those of apt or pacman, but with its own syntax:
sudo eopkg install package-nameto install software.sudo eopkg remove package-nameto remove packages.sudo eopkg upgradeto upgrade the entire system.
The official repositories contain a carefully curated selection of applications, ensuring compatibility and stability.
Hardware compatibility and drivers
Solus includes proprietary drivers for NVIDIA and AMD graphics from the first boot, making installation easier on gaming machines or workstations.
Moreover, the kernel is kept up to date with the latest LTS versions, providing good support for modern devices such as 4K displays, fingerprint readers, and Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity.
Community and support
Although the development team is small, the Solus community is active and collaborative.
Users can participate in the official forum, the Discord channel, and the GitHub repository to report bugs, suggest improvements, or contribute translations.
The documentation is well structured and covers topics from installation to advanced desktop customization.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Polished and modern desktop experience.
- Rolling release model that avoids frequent reinstalls.
- Full control over the system thanks to its independent base.
- Good performance on modest hardware thanks to Budgie.
- Simple and fast eopkg package manager.
Disadvantages
- Fewer packages in the repositories compared to Debian or Arch.
- Learning curve for users accustomed to apt or dnf.
- Limited development team, which may translate into longer response times for certain bugs.
Conclusion
Solus represents an attractive option for those seeking a Linux distribution that combines aesthetics, performance, and autonomy.
Its focus on the Budgie desktop and its rolling release model make it particularly suitable for desktop users who want an always-up-to-date system without the complexity of larger distributions.
If you value a close-knit community and a system built from scratch to deliver the best user experience, it’s worth trying Solus on your machine.
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