I still remember the day I installed Linux on a Chromebook. There was a mix of excitement and, I’ll admit, a bit of dread. I knew I’d be diving into a whole new world of customization, command lines, and endless possibilities. It felt like that first step into a new hobby—exciting, a little confusing, and so full of potential. But as I started working in Linux, I hit a speed bump. Literally. My Chromebook began to slow down, and what once felt so slick was now sluggish. I started asking myself: Can I really make this work faster? (Spoiler: yes, yes, you can.)
If you’re a fellow Chromebook user running Linux, you might have felt that same creeping frustration. After all, we want the power of Linux without sacrificing speed, right? So, here’s everything I know on How to Make Linux Faster on Your Chromebook—my own little guide on how to make Linux faster on a Chromebook. Let’s proceed into the tips, tricks, and insights that will keep your Linux experience snappy and enjoyable.
1. Start With a Clean Slate: Trim Down Unnecessary Programs
When you first set up Linux on a Chromebook, it’s easy to get overexcited and start installing every package, program, and tool you can find. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s like a kid in a candy store—until your system starts slowing down. One of the first things you can do to speed things up is to clear out any unnecessary programs.
- Review installed software: Open your Linux terminal and type
dpkg --listto see a list of installed packages. Review this list and ask yourself, Do I really need that text editor or that game I installed on a whim? - Remove unneeded packages: To remove a program, use the
sudo apt-get remove <package-name>command. And if you want to clear out additional junk (dependencies no longer needed), trysudo apt-get autoremove.
When I started cleaning up my system, I discovered all sorts of packages I’d installed once and forgotten about. Trimming them down helped free up resources and made a surprising difference in speed.
2. Choose a Lightweight Linux Desktop Environment
Linux is fantastic for the sheer variety of desktop environments (DEs) available. But here’s the catch: not all of them are optimized for low-powered devices like Chromebooks. While flashy environments like GNOME and KDE Plasma are beautiful, they’re also resource-heavy, which can be hard on Chromebook hardware. Instead, I recommend switching to a lightweight DE.
- XFCE: Known for its low memory usage, XFCE is fast, stable, and minimalistic. It’s a great choice if you want a DE that gets out of the way and lets your Chromebook focus on performance.
- LXDE: Another lightweight option, LXDE is extremely resource-friendly. It’s not the most stylish DE, but if speed is your priority, it’s hard to beat.
- MATE: A bit heavier than XFCE and LXDE but still lightweight, MATE strikes a nice balance between functionality and speed.
Switching to a lightweight DE made my Chromebook feel like a new machine. The system became faster almost immediately, and I barely noticed the difference in appearance. For most tasks, these lightweight environments provide everything you need without the resource drain.
3. Disable Unnecessary Services
One thing about Linux is that, by default, it likes to run all sorts of background services. And while they can be useful, on a Chromebook, they can also slow things down. If you’re looking for that extra boost in speed, it’s time to get selective.
- Check running services: In your terminal, type
systemctl list-units --type=serviceto see what’s running. This will give you an idea of the services that start up with Linux. - Disable unnecessary services: To stop a service temporarily, use
sudo systemctl stop <service-name>. If you find a service you don’t need regularly, disable it at startup withsudo systemctl disable <service-name>.
When I went through my list, I found all sorts of things I never used (like Bluetooth services when I had no Bluetooth devices connected). Disabling them freed up a little extra power, and over time, it adds up.
4. Manage Startup Applications for a Faster Boot
Just like with a regular laptop or desktop, startup applications can slow down your Chromebook’s boot time. In some cases, they also keep running in the background, eating up resources. Limiting what starts with Linux can help you get to a faster, more responsive system.
- Check startup applications: Use
gnome-session-propertiesto see a list of startup applications, or install and use tools likeLXSessionif your DE doesn’t have a built-in option. - Disable non-essential programs: Remove or disable applications you don’t need to launch at startup. For example, do you need your email client to open every time you boot? Probably not.
For me, cutting down on startup applications shaved seconds off my boot time and helped my Chromebook run smoother right from the start.
5. Optimize Swap Space for Better Performance
Chromebooks typically have limited RAM, and once you’re running Linux on top of Chrome OS, you might hit a memory cap sooner than you think. That’s where swap space comes in—it’s like virtual memory that Linux uses when it runs out of physical RAM. Optimizing your swap settings can help improve speed and reduce lag.
- Check your current swap space: Type
swapon --showin the terminal to see if swap is enabled. - Adjust swappiness: Swappiness controls how aggressively Linux uses swap space over physical RAM. The default value is often 60, but reducing it to around 10 can improve performance on Chromebooks. To change it, edit the file
/etc/sysctl.confand addvm.swappiness=10. - Consider creating a swap file: If you don’t already have swap space, you can create a swap file. Google around for instructions on this, as it can vary depending on your setup.
Adjusting my swap settings reduced lag significantly, especially when I had multiple tabs and applications open. It’s a small change, but on a Chromebook, every little improvement counts!
6. Use a Lighter Web Browser
When you’re running Linux on a Chromebook, your web browser can be one of the biggest resource hogs. Chrome itself can be heavy, so consider trying a lighter option.
- Firefox: A classic, Firefox has made strides in performance, and it’s often faster than Chrome on Linux systems.
- Brave: Based on Chromium but known for being lightweight and privacy-focused, Brave is a great alternative to Chrome.
- Midori or Epiphany: These lightweight browsers are minimalistic and great for basic browsing. They might lack some features, but if you just need a fast, simple browser, they can work wonders.
Switching to Firefox made my browsing experience smoother and even seemed to extend battery life. And on those days when I’m deep into research with multiple tabs open, it’s been a lifesaver.
7. Tweak Visual Effects (Or Turn Them Off)
While desktop environments like XFCE and LXDE are already minimal, some visual effects can still sneak in. Turning these off will reduce GPU load, saving both power and speed.
- Disable animations: In settings, look for an option to turn off animations. Each DE is different, but most have an option to minimize or disable visual effects.
- Reduce transparency: Some themes or DEs use transparency effects that can slow down performance. Consider switching to a simpler, non-transparent theme.
Disabling these effects might seem small, but it can make a noticeable difference in performance, especially if you’re working with heavy applications.
8. Regularly Update Your System
Here’s a simple one: keep your system updated. I know, updates can be annoying, but with Linux, they’re essential for performance and security. Running an outdated system can lead to bugs, slowdowns, and incompatibilities that bog down your Chromebook.
- Update packages: Use
sudo apt-get updateandsudo apt-get upgradeto ensure all your packages are up-to-date. - Enable automatic updates: If you’re forgetful like me, consider setting up automatic updates to avoid falling behind.
Every so often, updates will include performance improvements or bug fixes that can really boost speed. Plus, it’s just a good habit to get into with any OS.
9. Restart Regularly to Keep Things Fresh
Finally, don’t forget the power of a good restart. Chromebooks are often kept in sleep mode, especially if you’re jumping between Chrome OS and Linux. But over time, processes can accumulate, memory can get clogged, and a quick reboot can solve a lot of small issues.
I used to be skeptical of this one, but restarting Linux on my Chromebook once every couple of days keeps it running smoothly. It’s one of those little maintenance tricks that really pays off.
Final Thoughts on How to Make Linux Faster on Your Chromebook
Making Linux faster on a Chromebook isn’t about one magic fix. Instead, it’s a collection of small adjustments that add up to a noticeably faster and more enjoyable experience. By trimming down unneeded software, choosing lightweight applications, and optimizing system settings, you can keep your Chromebook running as smoothly as the day you installed Linux.
So, go ahead—try out these tips, tweak a few settings, and see how much faster you can make your Chromebook. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even discover a few new tricks of your own along the way.
