elementary OS: Pay What You Can and Get a Polished Desktop
elementary OS 8.1.1
Developer: elementary, Inc. (opens in a new tab)
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: elementary.io
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elementary OS is an open-source Linux distribution developed by elementary, Inc. The current release is elementary OS 8.1.1 "Circe", downloaded on a pay-what-you-can basis; it recommends a dual-core 64-bit CPU, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD.
elementary OS is built around a consistent, minimal desktop called Pantheon and a set of its own apps, distributed through AppCenter. It appeals to people who like a tidy interface and do not want to spend time configuring one.
Pay what you can
The download page asks you to enter an amount (preset buttons offer 10, 20 or 30 US dollars, or you can type any amount) before downloading. The money supports development; the system itself is open source.
Recommended specs
There is no strict minimum, but elementary recommends:
- a recent Intel Core i3 or comparable dual-core 64-bit processor,
- 4 GB of RAM,
- an SSD with at least 32 GB of free space,
- a display of at least 1024×768,
- a USB flash drive of at least 4 GB for installation.
The project advises against virtual machines for daily use because they do not perform as well as a full install. Images are available for AMD64 and ARM64.
Verify the ISO
The installation guide lists the SHA256 checksum for each image and explains how to check it on Windows, macOS and Linux. On Windows, Get-FileHash in PowerShell prints the hash to compare. If it does not match, download again.
Writing the USB
The official guide uses Etcher to flash the USB drive. On Windows, Rufus also works for writing ISO images. Boot the live session, check your hardware, and back up your data before you partition anything.
Pros
- Consistent, polished desktop and apps
- SHA256 checksums on the install guide
- AMD64 and ARM64 images
Cons
- Fewer customization options than other desktops
- Recommends an SSD and recent hardware
Frequently Asked Questions
Does elementary OS run on ARM computers?
Yes. Alongside the AMD64 image, the project publishes an ARM64 ISO with its own SHA256 checksum.
Can I run elementary OS in a virtual machine?
You can, but elementary does not recommend virtual machines because they do not perform as well as a full install.
elementary OSOpen source
Download (opens in a new tab)
