I have an older laptop (about 10 years old) that I would like to repurpose and I am looking for a lightweight Linux distribution that would run smoothly on it. Here are the specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2GB RAM
120GB hard drive
My main goals are basic web browsing, watching videos, and using simple productivity tools (like a text editor and maybe a basic spreadsheet app). I’m not too experienced with Linux, so I’d prefer something that’s beginner-friendly but still light on system resources.
I’ve read about a few options like Lubuntu, Puppy Linux, and MX Linux, but I’m not sure which one would be the best for my needs. Has anyone had success with these or similar distros on older hardware? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I have searched this topic on this site https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/170o6rt/best_linux_distro_for_older_laptop-power-bi but I could not find anything.
Unfortunately you’re going to have problems, specifically with the 2GB of RAM. Whereas you will easily get Linux running and be able to use it, and probably a basic desktop too, once you run up a modern web browser you’re going to be running on fumes and it’s not really going to be usable. You can maybe get by on 4GB these days if you’re not too busy, but to be realistic you need 8GB on a machine for it to be ‘happy’.
My Laptop is an Intel i3 from 2010 with 6GB RAM and a (now) heavily upgraded SDD, but even so, what I can use it for is limited and if I open too many tabs I know about it. (this is running XFCE)
So, the Linux “distro” as-such isn’t necessarily going to make that much difference, it’s the desktop environment and the browser that are the pain points.
I think my first try would be Bodhi, which comes with the “Enlightenment” desktop;
However, I think once you load up a browser you’ll likely come unstuck, but I’d be interested to hear how it goes either way …
My spare laptop is a 17 year old Sony (dual T2310 CPU, 1GB Ram, 150GB drive) and I could do “basic web browsing, watching videos, and using simple productivity tools” no problem but with some limitations.
The first is I have to get used to it being slow when opening & closing apps nothing just pops up on the screen and the second is you have to adjust to doing only one task at a time. For example if I have a web browser open and try to open Libre Office the laptop will churn away but not much will happen.
As for which distro Bodhi as MP suggested would be good or antiX Linux (sister distro to MX Linux) is also made for old computers. There are plenty of videos about both on YouTube or you could install to a USB to try them out first.
