Linux Lite 4.0 Final will be released on June 1st, 2018. And this starts a long cycle which can be upgraded from release to release.
Traditionally, when you go from the just released 3.8 to 4.0, you must reinstall, because you are going from a 3.* to a 4.*. I believe the full cycle goes 2 years. Worth trying the new 3.8, and it will be maintained for awhile, but a fresh install of 4.0 in June will go a long time.
I think you said that this one of the distros that worked well running in a VM, too? It's also on the PLUG list of Beginner Linux Distros (https://plugintolinux.ca/node/414). I tried it as a VM and found it quite usable. There's also a discussion of and older version of Linux Lite (3.0 from 2016) here (http://forums.plugintolinux.ca/index.php/topic,44.msg277.html#msg277) as well as your comment on running it in a VM here (http://forums.plugintolinux.ca/index.php/topic,308.msg1780.html#msg1780) with a lovely screenshot :)
Btw, does it use LXDE? I couldn't find mention of that with a quick scan of the website.
It uses XFCE, which is a wee bit richer and easier than LXDE.
So same as MX Linux, which uses Xfce 4.
Distrowatch gave a good review to Linux Lite, and I found out the reviewer, Jesse Smith, uses Lite on some of his computers. Here's his summary:
Lite's value, in my opinion, is not in any one big feature or unique offering, but in the way Lite polishes many little things which make it so much more pleasant to use day-to-day than most other distributions. Lite is an operating system I can use consistently without thinking about it, without distractions, without hiccups and without searching for features I suspect are there, but are tucked away. I've used some powerful distributions this year, and some with really neat, unique features; but probably not any that have offered such a smooth experience as I've had this week. That's why the next friend who asks me to come over and fix their messed up laptop is going to get a fresh copy of Linux Lite.
The full review can be found here. (Note of bias - Buster uses and likes Linux Lite)
https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20180709#lite
I used to really like Xfce but I've since been spoiled by fuller desktop environments like Cinnamon and KDE and even MATE. Now when I use Xfce it just feels clunky. Not to say that other people would - like I say, I used to really like it. Some people may really love its simplicity.
"Now when I use Xfce it just feels clunky. "
Would never occur to me to call it clunky. It's very fast and smooth. Has everything in the menu. And it is my go to Virtual machine on my laptop. I use Mint as well on an older machine on a hard drive. It's good but doesn't have the lightness.
I think you're just spoiled with the opulence of rich desktops Jason. Like living in a mansion. :) :) :)
That's kind of what I said already:D
When I say clunky, I don't mean that it's not smooth or fast. I mean that when I try to do certain things, which unfortunately, I can't remember now, I'm reminded that it's not a full desktop environment. To each their own.
So I looked around to find our how to upgrade Linux Lite 4.0 to 4.2.
There is a button on on menu that says upgrade. So I clicked it, waited say 7 minutes, rebooted and it was done.
And I had Lite 4.2. I suspect it's magic.
Cool. Easy and smooth as upgrades should be.