TechSource: How to Make Ubuntu's Dash Work Faster on Older Computers

How to Make Ubuntu's Dash Work Faster on Older Computers

Posted: 10 Dec 2013 06:49 AM PST

Ubuntu 13.10 is the most polished and stable iteration of the open-source desktop. With lots of bug fixes and less of new features, Saucy Salamander set a solid foundation towards a convergent desktop that we'll get to see in 2014. Canonical with its many plans has ensured that Ubuntu users have something to boast about to their Windows and Mac loving friends.

Despite the fact that Ubuntu in its latest iteration is perfectly stable, people who use older computers often find themselves limited to using lighter desktop environments like XFCE. However, with little tweaks, they could switch to Ubuntu and make it perform faster on their old system.

If you are someone who is frustrated with the slow performance of Unity on your old computer, here are some tricks that will help you switch to a modern desktop without breaking your workflow:

Disable Blur

This is a well-known trick that will help you speed up Dash's performance in great measures. By disabling Blur, you won't be able to see the nice-looking effect that the Dash is well-known for; however, in return, you'll be able to enjoy a much faster desktop without losing on any feature.

To disable Blur effect, you'll have to install Unity Tweak Tool first. Unity Tweak Tool is a great software for making the most out of your Ubuntu desktop. It can let you change themes, customize your desktop appearance, and even lets you define hot corners for Unity, a feature badly missing in the OS. To install the tweak tool, open your terminal or press Ctrl+Alt+T anywhere on your desktop, and type in or paste

sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool

Once you install the tweak tool, open your Dash by pressing the Super or Windows key and search for Unity Tweak Tool.

Once opened click on the first link that says Launcher and navigate to the tab that says Search.

Here, you'll see an option that says Background Blur. Simply slide the button to off to disable the blur. Instantly upon disabling the effect, you'll find that the Dash becomes more responsive and becomes much quicker.

Disable Online Suggestions

In the same window, uncheck the options that say Search Online Sources and Show More Suggestions. This will force Dash to search only from local sources thus making it more faster and responsive.

Avoid Installing Any New Scopes

On the Internet, you'll find a lot of new scopes and dash plugins have popped up, which let you make the most out of your Unity desktop. However, as enticing as they seem, you need to understand that those plugins could heavily slow down your desktop's performance. The reason for this is that most of the plugins are still under heavy development and we're yet to see any good scopes or dash plugins released in the Software Center. If you have a slow computer, it is best to abstain from installing any new plugins that directly interfere with the functioning of the Dash.

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.