How To Check Your Computer Specs in Ubuntu

In this article, we will explore various methods to check your computer specifications in Ubuntu. This includes using built-in tools, installing new applications, and utilizing command-line interfaces. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to gather information about your system’s hardware and operating system.

Using System Monitor

The most straightforward method to check your computer specs is by using the built-in System Monitor. To access it, press the Super key (equivalent to the Start button in Windows), type “System Monitor,” and open it. This tool provides you with basic information about your system, such as the processor speed and memory.

Installing and Using HardInfo

For a more detailed system overview, you can use HardInfo. This application can be installed via the terminal with the following command:

sudo apt-get install hardinfo

Once installed, launch HardInfo to view detailed information about your system’s hardware and operating system.

Using Command Line Tools

If you’re comfortable with the command line, Ubuntu offers several tools to gather system information.

lshw

The lshw command lists hardware on your system. You can check if it’s already installed by typing lshw in the terminal. If not, install it with:

sudo apt-get install lshw

Then, run the following command to view detailed hardware information:

sudo lshw | less

This command lists all hardware components and pipes the output to less, allowing you to scroll through the information. If you prefer, you can redirect the output to an HTML file for easier viewing:

sudo lshw -html > mySpecs.html

Other Command Line Tools

In addition to lshw, there are other command-line tools you can use to gather system information. These include:

• lscpu: Lists CPU and processor info.
• hwinfo: Provides generic hardware information.
• lspci: Lists PCI busses, including graphics card and network adapter.
• lsblk: Lists block devices.
• df -h: Shows disk free space in human-readable format.
• free -h: Shows total, free, and used RAM in human-readable format.

You can install these tools if needed and run them to obtain specific information.

inxi

Another command-line tool is inxi, which provides comprehensive system and hardware details. You can install it with:

sudo apt-get install inxi

Then, run the following command to display all possible system and hardware information:

inxi -Fxz

Here, -F stands for Full output, -x adds extra data, and -z hides potentially sensitive information like MAC addresses and serial numbers.

Web Resources

For more detailed instructions and alternative methods, you can refer to the WEB UPD8 guide on getting hardware information in Linux. The guide provides details on using tools like lshw, hardinfo, and sysinfo.

Using the System-info Script

A user on the Ubuntu Forums has created a script called system-info that generates a detailed report of system information using various system commands. You can install and run this script by following the instructions provided in the forum.

Conclusion

Checking your system specifications in Ubuntu can be achieved in many ways, from using the System Monitor, installing and using HardInfo, running command-line tools like lshw, inxi, and others, referring to web resources, or using the system-info script. Each method has its own advantages, so choose the one that suits your needs and comfort level.