Installing Ubuntu and then XFCE or Xubuntu?

[geek2330]

Quick question: Is it better installing Ubuntu then XFCE environment, or just install Xubuntu from scratch?

Will one option present any performance load to the system versus the other? Or more un-needed installation files than the other?

[SpeedyGonsales]

Performance wise I do not see any differences.
Xfce has its own file manager etc stuff and Ubuntu default has GNOME stuff, so if you first install default Ubuntu then on it Xfce-desktop, you'll definitely have more files than in other case.

But difference is not so great in 2012 if you have 500 GB or 1 TB disk.
But if you are building some lean custom machine on single small disk like 20 GB or less than every MB is counting and you should go for Xubuntu.

[geek2330]

"Lean", that is the right word i was looking for.
At the end, I don't like Unity but i like XFCE.

Drive space is not a problem (even though i asked the question about extra files not needed) but at the end of the install if i can get XFCE in a more straight method without extra effort and files installed then i'd go that route.

..

[LewisTM]

To remove the fat i.e. extra Unity and GNOME stuff, execute the command found on psychocats.net
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purexubuntu
This way you will switch to a pure Xubuntu without the need to reinstall from scratch. You can then proceed to add back whatever you might be missing.

Cheers!

[Lemuriano]

I install Ubuntu minimal cd and then xfce4 with just the apps that I want and nothing more. Fantastic.

Regards.