this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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Linux

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I have some USB sticks, and I want to use them as portable Linux USBs. However, I am stuck on which distro will function the best. Here are my possible options:

  • Fedora KDE Spin (installed directly to the USB)
  • Fedora KDE Spin (in live mode, but with persistence)
  • Fedora Kinoite (installed directly to the USB)
  • EndeavourOS

I do have a USB3 flash drive, but I would like something suitable for USB2 speeds, if that will give okay speeds. I would also prefer to use a Fedora distro, however if troubleshooting Fedora is as easy as Endeavour, then I don't mind.

I will also be installing other programs (Steam, LibreOffice, etc.) onto the USB after I install the OS.

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

i think op means installing onto the usb, not just live booting? but if not: i can confirm that ventoy is awesome

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From what I've heart it isn't recommended to use an OS persistently on an USB-stick. Not is it slower, the constant read and writes may damage it, since it isn't made for that.

Please correct me if I remembered it wrong.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

In the basis you are right. But nowadays a good large USB stick shut be able to handle it fine over a long period. I would recommend to put the cache and temp directory's on a memory drive. that way you do not constantly stress out the USB.

On the other hand nowadays their are USB cases for M.2 SSDs. this would eliminate the entire problem.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On the other hand nowadays their are USB cases for M.2 SSDs. this would eliminate the entire problem.

I had no idea this was a thing. Looks like you can get little 2230 (W: 22mm, L: 30mm) drives too so it's not like it has to be some super long thumbdrive or dongle setup.

I love the idea of moving my OS from PC to PC with me. Always configured how I like it. I don't know how well it'll work in practice, with real world performance or hardware changes between PCs, but I might have to give it a shot.

Thanks for the tip.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I clonezilla my desktop install to an external m2. It's always there if I need it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Not to mention a m2 ssd external case!!

Oh .. I only read your first sentence.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I've used https://tails.net/ for a while, works nicely and interesting !!! More developed for security....

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have Linux Mint Cinnamon installed on a flash drive, and even on USB 2.0 it's pretty fast. The problem rather has been random access speed, not the transfer speed. I tried 3 unbranded flash drives from AliExpress and a Panasonic USB 3.0 flashdrive, and all of those were crap. The only one good for this has been SanDisk CruzerBlade, both USB2 and USB3 versions.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I've been running Mint XFCE this way for years! Mostly as a stupid computer trick, but it's occasionally super helpful, especially where someone just needs that one doc off a non-booting windows.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Why? What's the goal?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

There are a range of ways to have multiple distro's on a single USB if they fit, but really, this is something you should just try for yourself. I did the same and ended up trying all sorts. Icurrently have a USB drive with Mint and Puppy. Mint for when I want to have a full distro and Puppy for everything else. Me personally, I find Puppy the simplest , fastest and easiest on any machine without buckefsfull of RAM. It even works on my really old laptop with 1GB.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Not Fedora, but MX Linux and Antix are good for persistent installation on usb-sticks. See here: https://antixlinux.com/the-most-extensive-live-usb-on-the-planet/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

one that's always been interesting, to me anyway, is https://www.slax.org/
i've used a few different versions of it over the years.