For a long time, Linux has been associated with something different and complicated to use, something that not all users can access. However, far from reality, the main characteristic of this operating system is that it is capable of anything. To the point of being able to imitate practically any other operating system, such as Windows or macOS, so that it can not only be adapted to the needs of any user, but also considerably reduces the learning curve. And although there are several distros that do this, one of the most faithful to the aesthetics of Windows is Fenix OS .
Windows? MacOS? Linux? The three things
Fenix OS is a Linux distro based on Linux Mint created in Spain with the aim of taking Linux customization and flexibility to the extreme. This distro has impressive layers of customization capable of mimicking the appearance of Windows and macOS almost perfectly. In addition, it has a large number of programs installed by default so that from the first moment we can have a fully functional operating system, both for leisure and for work.
Although at first glance it seems that we are using Windows 10, in reality Fenix OS is a Linux distribution based on Linux Mint. This has a number of advantages, since Mint is one of the best alternatives to Ubuntu and brings with it a series of tools (Mint Apps) that allow us to configure all aspects of the distro in a simple way. These Mint Apps are available, of course, on Fenix OS.
Main features
One of the main features that stands out about this distro is the possibility of making this distro look like Windows or macOS . Within Windows we can even imitate the appearance of Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 7, etc. Also, if we like the classic look of GNOME or Unity, we will also be able to customize it to have a much more “Linux” look.
Another of its main features is the large number of programs that come installed by default . For example, we will be able to meet Kodi, to turn our PC into a multimedia center, or RetroPie, to be able to play all kinds of retro games. We will also find the LibreOffice, Chromium and Firefox suite as default web browsers, and even other popular programs such as VLC, GIMP, Spotify, Openshot, Audacity, Inkscape, Telegram, a virtual assistant and even an Android emulator (AndEmu). Fenix OS is one of the most complete distros in terms of variety of software.
As a package manager, this distro opts for Snap, so all the programs are independent and we can easily add or remove any software. Even if you miss any Windows program, thanks to PlayOnLinux, Wine and Winetricks we will be able to install them. We will even have the possibility to install games thanks to Steam.
PC and Raspberry Pi
Fenix OS is a distro originally created for the Raspberry Pi (and this edition is based on Raspbian). However, its developer wants to cover the PC market as well, and is therefore working on a vitaminized version, based on Linux Mint, that will allow us to enjoy all these features and its excellent customization layer on any PC.
Of course, the PC edition is still in development, and during the tests we have found some small bugs that we hope will be solved as time passes. In addition, the developer indicates that many features of the Raspberry Pi edition still need to be brought to the PC, such as the themes of Windows, macOS and Linux, the Android emulator, the Snap Store, the Fenix Assistant, the updater , RAM optimization, etc.
If we want to experience first-hand everything that Fenix OS has to offer, we recommend trying the Raspberry Pi version until the PC edition is complete.
Download Fenix OS
If we are interested in trying this distro, we can download it completely free from its website . Here we are going to find several editions. The edition for Raspberry Pi, which can be found on several different desktops and flavors, and the edition for PC, based on Linux Mint.
Minimum requirements
Although its developer has not specified the minimum and recommended requirements for PC, the version of Rapsberry Pi (known as FenixPi) is capable of working on any RPi with 2 GB of RAM. It even has a reduced version, with XFCE desktop, which can work with just 350 MB of RAM.
The PC version will surely ask for the same requirements that Linux Mint asks for. So when finished, it is expected to work perfectly on any relatively modern CPU and on computers with 2GB of RAM. Of course, a very light distro that can undoubtedly revolutionize the Linux ecosystem.