Want To Save Your Old Computer? Try One Of These 9 Linux Distros - For Free

4 days ago

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As personification who's been astir nan artifact a fewer 100 times pinch technology, planned obsolescence has agelong bothered me.

When Microsoft released Windows 11, it became clear that a batch of hardware wouldn't support nan caller type of Windows. Many group ended up having to acquisition caller systems if they wanted to instrumentality pinch Windows. For some, that wasn't an option, truthful they had to proceed utilizing a Windows operating strategy that would yet autumn retired of support. That meant nary much information updates, which tin time off users -- and their information -- vulnerable.

Also: Linux Mint vs. Zorin OS: I've tested some Windows alternatives, and here's my choice

If you've recovered yourself successful specified a situation, there's dream successful nan shape of a fistful of Linux distributions designed specifically for older aliases less-powerful hardware. With these operating systems, you tin revive an aged instrumentality and make it tally arsenic though it were new.

Here are 9 Linux distributions that are perfectly astatine location connected older (and moreover newer) hardware.

1. Bodhi Linux

Great for those consenting to study caller things

For astir 5 years, Bodhi Linux was my go-to operating system. It's not conscionable perfectly suited for older hardware, but it besides offers a unsocial return connected nan personification interface. The Moksha Desktop is akin to that of Enlightenment (another old-school favourite of mine) and includes plentifulness of features to make it a full-fledged desktop operating system.

The 1 caveat to utilizing Bodhi Linux is that you will person to rethink nan measurement you interact pinch nan desktop, arsenic it's rather different. That doesn't make it challenging (it's not), but cognize that Moksha will return a spot of getting utilized to. One of my favourite features of Moksha (which besides appears successful Enlightenment) is that you tin entree nan desktop paper by clicking anyplace connected nan desktop. That makes for an businesslike workflow.

Also: I rediscovered my longtime Linux favourite - acknowledgment to a rotation I didn't spot coming

The recommended strategy requirements for Bodhi Linux are:

64-bit, 1.0GHz processor
768MB of RAM
10GB of thrust space

With conscionable a minimal system, you'll person a desktop machine that not only runs for illustration a champ but besides looks really cool arsenic it does.

2. Linux Lite

Very user-friendly, highly customizable, and blazingly fast

If you're looking for a much modular desktop interface, Linux Lite might beryllium your champion bet. Linux Lite uses a civilization Xfce desktop situation to create an interface that should beryllium instantly acquainted to each personification types.

Also: I converted this Mini PC from Windows to Linux, and it came alive. Here's how

Even better, Linux Lite was designed to beryllium very user-friendly. So, moreover if you aren't acquainted pinch Linux, you should beryllium capable to get up to velocity pinch nan operating strategy quickly. Linux Lite comes pinch nan Chrome web browser, Thunderbird email client, GIMP image editor, VLC media player, nan LibreOffice agency suite, and much pre-installed. Linux Lite is reasonably customizable, truthful if you don't for illustration nan default desktop layout, you tin alteration it.

The minimum strategy requirements for Linux Lite are:

1GHz CPU
768MB of RAM (1GB is recommended)
8GB of thrust abstraction (minimum)

3. Puppy Linux

Best for usage arsenic a unrecorded distribution

Puppy Linux is a spot of an outlier here, arsenic it's not astir arsenic easy to instal arsenic nan different distributions. In fact, Puppy Linux is alternatively challenging connected this front, truthful it's often champion to simply usage it arsenic a unrecorded distribution. You tin "install" it to a USB flash thrust (and moreover do truthful pinch persistent record storage) and footwear arsenic needed. This way, you tin transportation Puppy Linux astir pinch you and footwear it connected immoderate instrumentality you like, without making a azygous alteration to what's installed connected nan section drive.

Also: The champion Linux laptops

You'll find much than capable installed software, specified arsenic nan Palemoon web browser, Claws Mail email client, AbiWord connection processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet tool, and plentifulness more. The Puppy Linux desktop is simply a spot cluttered, but it's still very straightforward to use.

The minimum strategy requirements for Puppy Linux are:

CPU: Pentium 900 MHz
RAM: 300MB
Hard Drive: Optional
DVD-ROM: 20x and up aliases USB

Just remember, moreover though Puppy Linux tin do wonders to revive your aged hardware, you'll request a spot much Linux acquisition to get nan astir retired of this distribution.

4. Tiny Core Linux

Better for knowledgeable users

Tiny Core Linux couldn't person a much apropos name. It's very small. Tiny Core is different distribution that you don't really request to instal connected your difficult drive. You footwear it, adhd only nan applications you request (using a GUI installer), and interact pinch nan bare minimum desktop (based connected BusyBox and FLTK).

Like Puppy Linux, I don't urge Tiny Core Linux to those who are caller to Linux, arsenic it's not astir arsenic straightforward arsenic you mightiness think.

Also: You tin trial each nan champion Linux distros correct successful your web browser pinch this site

Tiny Core supports virtual desktops and sticky windows and includes a Control Panel for configuring backup/restore, services, date/time, mouse, network, and more.

The minimum strategy requirements for Tiny Core Linux are:

i486DX CPU
46MB of RAM

However, nan recommended minimum configuration for Tiny Core Linux is simply a Pentium II CPU and 128MB of RAM. The download page besides offers 3 different versions: Core (the guidelines system), Tiny Core (the recommended option), and CorePlus (an installation image that includes nan prime of 7 different model managers).

Of each nan lightweight Linux distributions, Tiny Core tin tally connected nan oldest hardware.

5. LXLE Linux

Works connected ancient hardware

LXLE Linux is built connected nan astir caller type of Ubuntu Linux and uses nan LXLE desktop situation to create an operating strategy that's lightweight, elemental to install, and easy to use. LXLE offers a bully desktop (especially for a lightweight distribution) that includes each nan package you request to beryllium productive aliases entertain yourself.

The latest merchandise of LXLE Linux (Focal) tin beryllium wholly installed (from commencement to finish) successful little than 5 minutes. The default desktop should beryllium rather acquainted to anyone who's utilized immoderate benignant of desktop interface. If you configure it to upgrade during nan installation, you'll astir apt tally into a infinitesimal during nan process wherever it seems for illustration things person stopped (when it says "Retrieving record 100 of 101"). Have patience because it will decorativeness and continue.

Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 5 factors to thief you determine betwixt Linux aliases MacOS

The strategy requirements for LXLE are astir arsenic minimal arsenic you tin get:

512MB of RAM
P3 CPU aliases better

Yes, you publication that correctly: a Pentium 3 CPU. This distribution tin revive ancient hardware.

LXLE ships pinch apps for illustration LibreOffice, Bookworm, HomeBank, LibreWolf, and ClawsMail installed by default, truthful moreover though it's a mini distribution, you'll find it has everything you request to get up and running.

6. BunsenLabs Linux

A much modern flair

BunsenLabs Linux uses nan Xfce desktop to create a lightweight Linux distribution. However, this isn't your grandmother's Xfce, arsenic nan developers person fixed it a modern twist. And because BunsenLabs Linux is based connected Debian, you tin beryllium judge that it's arsenic rock-solid and reliable arsenic immoderate operating strategy connected nan market. This Linux distribution's desktop takes a motion from Ubuntu, pinch a vertical sheet and loads of personality. And pinch a right-click desktop menu, you tin stake this distribution is incredibly businesslike to use.

Also: The 4 easiest ways to trial Linux connected your aged PC earlier Windows 10 support runs out

As acold arsenic strategy requirements, here's what they look like:

CPU: 32- aliases 64-bit
RAM: 1 GB minimum and 2 GB+ recommended
Storage: 20 GB recommended

7. AntiX

AntiX is different lightweight distribution, but I wouldn't urge it to those caller to Linux. AntiX opts for nan zzzFM-IceWM model manager, which makes it much suitable for those pinch astatine slightest a spot of Linux experience. Even though nan developers person configured nan model head to look reasonably familiar, if you spell to make immoderate changes to nan look and feel, you'll find it's not rather arsenic elemental arsenic KDE Plasma aliases GNOME.

Also: Why this lightweight Linux distro won't triumph immoderate fame contests but is cleanable for powerfulness users

AntiX ships pinch galore preinstalled apps, specified arsenic Firefox, LibreOffice, Firejail, media players, and more. More than anything, though, AntiX is crazy fast, which intends an aging machine will consciousness for illustration you conscionable purchased it disconnected nan shelf.

The strategy requirements for AntiX are:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo aliases AMD Athlon 64 X2
1GB aliases much RAM
10GB aliases much thrust space
Graphics: Any graphics paper pinch 3D acceleration

8. Lubuntu

Lubuntu is different distribution based connected Ubuntu LTS. This take, however, uses nan LXQt desktop, which is 1 of nan astir full-featured of each nan lightweight desktop environments. LXQt is very accelerated and easy to use. Anyone who's worked pinch Windows of immoderate loop will find LXQt familiar. Lubuntu is an charismatic rotation of Ubuntu and retains things for illustration Snap package support, a unchangeable kernel, a akin group of preinstalled software, and entree to nan modular Ubuntu repositories.

And though nan Lubuntu desktop whitethorn springiness you early-2000s vibes, that doesn't mean it's excessively old-school. Lubuntu moreover includes KDE Plasma's Discover app store, truthful you won't person immoderate problem installing each of nan apps you need. The champion point astir Lubuntu, however, is nan speed. This lightweight Linux distribution will rustle you distant pinch really accelerated it runs, moreover connected older hardware.

Also: Lubuntu is Linux for those looking to simplify and velocity up their desktop experience

Speaking of which, nan strategy requirements for Lubuntu are:

CPU: 1GHz aliases faster
1GB of RAM
5GB of thrust space

With these 8 lightweight Linux distributions that tin thief springiness aged computers caller life, you tin prevention immoderate money and nan situation by keeping hardware astir that cannot tally nan astir modern operating systems, and consciousness bully astir doing a bully deed for nan satellite and yourself.

9. Ubuntu MATE

Ubuntu MATE uses nan MATE desktop (which is lightweight yet full-featured), which makes it easy for caller users to hop onto nan Linux bandwagon. MATE is arsenic easy arsenic it gets, pinch a bottommost panel, a apical bar, a desktop menu, a strategy tray, clickable icons, drag-and-drop, and more.

MATE besides allows for a spot of customization, truthful you tin make nan desktop look a wee spot much modern without having to crook complete backwards to do it.

Ubuntu MATE is suitable for aged computers, modern computers, and single-board computers. No matter what you instal Ubuntu MATE on, it'll consciousness for illustration a marque new, supercharged machine.