I tested CuerdOS and its unique app lineup is even better than its blazing speed


CuerdOS

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • CuerdOS is a unique, Debian-based Linux distribution.
  • This distro offers blazing-fast performance.
  • You’ll find an interesting collection of preinstalled software.

Every once in a great while, I run into a Linux distribution that I’ve never heard of. Such is the case with CuerdOS.

This Linux distribution of Spanish origin is focused on stability, efficiency, and performance. Based on Debian, CuerdOS is, I’m assuming, a play on the Spanish word cuerdo, which means sane or rational. After using this distribution for a few days, I’d have to say that’s spot on. I downloaded the GNOME flavor of the OS and found the default settings quite sane. 

Instead of the straight-up GNOME desktop, you get a few customizations by way of some GNOME extensions and just the right combination of software. 

Also: The once beloved PCLinuxOS is back – and it’s still a great Windows escape

Now, when you look at the software collection, you could conclude that CuerdOS has something for everyone. There are tools for seasoned users, those with just enough Linux knowledge, and even beginners. 

Would I call CuerdOS the right Linux distribution for new Linux users? Maybe. Would I stake the claim that it’s geared toward power users? Maybe. You see, CuerdOS includes performance tweaks that optimize CPU, GPU, and RAM consumption via a patched kernel. So, yeah, it’s pretty fast.

With all of those maybes tossed around, who is CuerdOS for? That’s an interesting question, one that I’ll get to in a bit.

What I find interesting about CuerdOS

I decided to try the GNOME version of CuerdOS because I’ve ignored GNOME for some time now and thought it was time to go back. You can also select Xfce, Sway, LabWC, and KDE Plasma.

After installing CuerdOS, I logged in and started poking around. 

Also: 5 Linux desktop environments that make ditching Windows easy – including my top pick

The first thing I noticed was that, thanks to Dash to Dock, the desktop not only looked good, but it was also very user-friendly. 

Next came the collection of preinstalled software, which included the likes of Vivaldi, Timeshift, Yelena Store (GUI app store for both DEB and Flatpak apps), RunCat (an outstanding system monitor), Geany (programming IDE), BleachBit (cleaner), OnlyOffice (office suite), Wasabi Media player, and the Nvidia driver installer.

CuerdOS

This app store makes it very easy to install both DEB and Flatpak apps on Linux.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

After pondering this collection, I came to the conclusion that CuerdOS defaults to alternative apps for almost every purpose — and I love that. After a long while of reviewing/using Linux distributions that all ship with the same lineup of software, it’s a breath of fresh air to run into one that goes a less-trodden path.

Seriously, I really appreciate this feature of CuerdOS, and given that all the preinstalled software works very well, you won’t miss anything. But on the off chance you do find CuerdOS lacking, just fire up the Yelena Store, search for what you need, and install it.

Also: The 5 fastest Linux distros I’ve tried – and they’re all free

When you do open Yelena and install a few pieces of software, you’ll immediately notice the speed of CuerdOS. This thing is fast. One reason is that CuerdOS uses a new Zram configuration that employs the ZSTD algorithm, designed to dramatically improve performance by optimizing memory usage and handling system resources. Trust me when I tell you that it does just that.

I installed CuerdOS as a virtual machine on my System76 Thelio with an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and 64 GB of RAM. I gave the VM only 4 GB of RAM and 2 CPUs, and CuerdOS performed as well (if not better) than the host OS. 

This distribution performs like one of the many lightweight distros on the market, only it’s not lightweight. That, my friends, is impressive. I opened each of the larger applications on the desktop, and the system resources barely budged. 

CuerdOS

The apps barely moved the needle on CuerdOS

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

All was not perfect

I did run into a problem, which took me by surprise. OnlyOffice is installed as the default office suite. When I went to open the app, it refused. I then attempted to open it from the terminal window, only to receive a warning that it couldn’t load the shared libcef.so library.

Also: XeroLinux could be the most beautiful Linux desktop on the market

Here’s what’s odd: libxssl1, the package that includes libcef.so, was already installed. I decided to install OnlyOffice via Flatpak to see if that would resolve the problem with the command:

flatpak install onlyoffice

For some strange reason, that installation failed as well, so I opened the Yelena Store, searched for OnlyOffice, and installed it from there. After that, OnlyOffice ran like a charm.

CuerdOS

All fixed and ready to go.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I then needed to remove the original installation using the Yelena Store (just to keep things clean). 

Other than that one little hiccup, CuerdOS proved to be one heck of a Linux distribution. It’s well-designed, lightning-fast, includes a unique collection of software, and it’s based on Debian. 

Also: How much RAM does Linux really need? My sweet spot after decades of use

What more would you want?

Who is CuerdOS for?

Simply put, if you want an operating system that places a focus on performance, but also has the solidity of the Debian base, and don’t mind using apps that aren’t the traditional fare, CuerdOS is a great option. As the name implies, every choice for this distribution is sane, so you install it and hit the ground running (so long as you resolve the issue with OnlyOffice).

If I’ve piqued your interest, head over to the CuerdOS site, scroll to the download section, select the desktop environment you want, grab an ISO, burn it to a bootable USB drive, install it, and enjoy.





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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