Puppy Linux. Linux has been around for almost 30 years. 1. Sparky Linux is a Debian based lightweight, fast and simple Linux distribution designed for both old and new computers. It’s a bit like a tower. Great Post! Peppermint is a lightning-fast cloud desktop based on Lubuntu. You can choose out of the two which one would suit your needs better. The motto of the wattOS is to power up your old computer on a small footprint and a simple quick interface. Best Linux Distributions for Old Laptop 1. If you are new to Linux and want to install Linux on your older hardware then Peppermint is a good choice for you. Yes, it’s that old, and it did make history. Knoppix comes with a collection of GNU/Linux software and support for many graphics cards. It is intended to have low-resource system requirements and is designed primarily for netbooks, mobile devices and older PCs. reasons why you should be using openSUSE. Slax doesn’t require installation, it runs directly from your USB flash drive. Debian provides different desktop environments – GNOME, Plasma, Xfce, LXDE, MATE etc. Linux Lite is an Ubuntu-based beginner-friendly Linux distribution. And speaking of complicated distros, if we want a powerful as well as compatible and customizable operating system, Arch Linux is positioned as one more option to give a second life to our old computer. LXLE is a light Linux distro and an Ubuntu lightweight desktop. Lubuntu focuses on speed and low-end hardware but LXLE is specifically tweaked for reviving older hardware. This page is powered by a knowledgeable community that helps you make an informed decision. If you are interested in the history of some of the major Linux distros, here it is in a nutshell – the history of various Linux distros, like Ubuntu, Fedora, REHL, Linux Mint, Slackware, etc. Here is the list of 25 best lightweight Linux distros sorted according to their system requirements. Learn how your comment data is processed. At the base is the Linux kernel. In a lighter vein, it provides Moksha to the old PCs and laptops by using its Moksha OS making old computers feel young and new again. It is based on Ubuntu LTS, it’s lightweight and easy to use Linux distributions. SparkyLinux is another lightweight Linux distro that targets both older machines and modern ones. It is a lightweight distro developed to run... 3. LXLE is a Lubuntu based easy-to-use lightweight desktop Linux distribution featuring the LXDE desktop environment. Puppy boots into a ramdisk and, unlike live CD distributions it loads into RAM. Just as its name indicates, this is a utility that detects any piece of hardware attached to your computer and automatically downloads drivers for it, provided you’re connected to the internet of course. Absolute Linux is a Slackware-based distro that runs on the iceWM desktop environment and can easily accommodate very old hardware. The lite distribution posses a file size 256 MB and suitable for all users. SliTaz stands for “Simple Light Incredible Temporary Autonomous Zone”, is one of the best lightweight Linux secure distros with high performance — which can be used as both desktop OS and a server. The distro is designed for computers with limited resources, so it is available for x86 (32 bit) and uses only free software. During this period, the operating system will continue to receive various small updates. That's why it's called live. PCLinuxOS is packed with many out-of-the-box programs to assist your different needs. Lubuntu is an Ubuntu derivative that uses the LXDE desktop environment. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a hugely popular enterprise-level operating system that supports a diverse range of open-source technologies such as Ansible automation, Hybrid Cloud, virtualization, and containerization.. LXLE is based on Lubuntu, an already lightweight Linux distro, and it uses the LXDE desktop environment. TinyCore. Although it is not a Linux mimicking Windows but build from scratch with 9,000,000+ lines of code. The distro is even older than Ubuntu. ReactOS is a Windows lookalike free and open source operating system with the ability to run many Windows applications. And many are already accustomed to the way of working in the distribution created by Canonical. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It uses Xfce desktop but is not very light-weight, because it comes with a suite of software. Ubuntu MATE is an impressive lightweight Linux distro that runs fast enough on older computers. With the use of Xfce and the inclusion of a full complement of software, Linux Lite makes for an outstanding distribution for new users, working with old hardware. The login page will open in a new tab. Originally created in 2003, Puppy Linux is a distribution that belongs to a family of lightweight Linux distros. From beginners to pro, who own an old computer loves this super cute lightweight Linux distro. Bodhi Linux is one such lightweight Linux distro that can run on older PCs & Laptops that are even more than 15 years old. The following lightweight Linux OS requires up to 512mb RAM. Elive is a Debian-based desktop lightweight Linux distribution and live CD featuring the Enlightenment window manager. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. You have entered an incorrect email address! As the name suggests, Lubuntu is member of the popular Ubuntu family. LinuxConsole is a unique lightweight Linux distribution primarily designed to turn old and semi-old computers into game console center. The following distributions match your criteria (sorted by popularity): 1. antiX (18) antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy-to-install Linux live CD distribution based on Debian's "Stable" branch for x86 compatible systems. The os is packed with a good selection of default applications covering most users’ everyday needs. Links to popular distribution download pages. Because LXDE is written in the C... 2. One of the most popular and widely using lightweight Linux distros, Lubuntu is an energy-saving variant of Ubuntu using the LXDE. SparkyLinux has two variants, each of which are based on Debian Linux. One of the most important ones being the Hardware Detection Tool. In addition to the desktop support, you can also try it … Linux Lite is one of the popular and easy to use lightweight Linux distros out there. Debian is one of the longest-standing Linux distros, which first released in 1996. Lightweight Linux Distros for Old Laptop (2020) 1. How to choose a Linux distro for your old PC Looking to resurrect or transform a laptop or desktop? Next is all the software that you run on the computer. Minimum CPU requirement — any Intel, AMD or VIA x86/64 processor, 512MB free hard drive space to create an optional save file, An i686 processor, which is a Pentium Pro or above, Intel Celeron, ATOM, Pentium M or P4 processor. If you’re looking for some Linux distro for old laptop, there are good chances you’ll encounter Bodhi Linux. We all know that, for Android phone you will get an app for each and every task, since Google Playstore provides millions of apps... 25 Best Lightweight Linux Distros To Reinvigorate Old Computers In 2020. Linux distros and the software that runs on them are far more optimized and compatible with old (er) hardware. Linux Lite is a lightweight Linux distro based on Ubuntu LTS, which means that each version has a 5-year support period, namely, only a major update every 5 years. It uses BusyBox, a recent Linux kernel and GNU software. One of the oldest and most popular Linux Distros out there, Debian is still a strong choice for 2019. Puppy Linux is a collection of multiple Linux distributions comes with extraordinarily small, yet quite full-featured. Why you should choose lightweight Linux distros to get a few more years out of an aging machine over other operating systems — The main reason is, unlike older versions of Windows/OS X, the listed lite Linux distributions get support and timely updates. Will be looking forward to more awesome Unix posts. Liked it totally! One of the best features of this lightweight Linux distro is that it’s being developed by a very dedicated team that usually launches a new version once very year. Because of that, my taste in Linux desktop distributions veers very far toward the modern side … "Quick boot time" is the primary reason people pick Xubuntu over the competition. Then lightweight Linux distributions would be the perfect choice to resurrect your old buddy. But we have more flavors of this distribution, and one of them seems built thinking directly in this use. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Btw, if possible can you make some posts regarding customizing and remastering distros? ReactOS — best lightweight Linux distro alternative for Windows. The operating system features fast boot, support for new video cards (Intel, NVIDIA, ATI), can be turned into live USB and also can be installed as a dual-boot system with Windows. Even a beginner will... 3. TinyCore is one of the best Linux distros for old laptop. Puppy Linux. Best lightweight Linux distro of 2020 By Shashank Sharma , Nick Peers , Alex Cox , Nate Drake 12 June 2019 Operating systems which will happily run on older x86 machines Additional software can be added and removed, using Slax modules. Now Google Lets You To Use Apps Without Installing Them On... 5 Best essential Android apps for WhatsApp users in 2020, 11 Best Fun And Educational Android Games For Kids In 2020, 5 Best Two-Factor Authentication Apps for Android and iOS. Linux live operating systems are the linux distributions which can be booted directly from a CD or USB drive without installation, without making any changes to the existing system. Sparky features customized Enlightenment and LXDE desktops. ConnochaetOS is a fully free lightweight Linux distribution based on Slackware. PCLinuxOS is a user-friendly Linux distribution for x86_64 desktops or laptops. Iso files, for burning to CD / DVD or use it with VirtualBox. But CDs and DVDs are almost obsolete now, live CD is evolved to live USB, however kept it's old name. This means that all applications start in the blink of an eye and respond to user input instantly. The difference is, however, one is the stable release, and the other is the testing release. The notable feature of this lite Linux distro is its size — the 12 MB graphical Linux desktop runs entirely in memory — so after booting, you can remove the live CD/USB and still use the distro. From its name “lite,” it means there is no need for high-end hardware requirements. It features runit as the init system instead of systemd and gives you the option of several desktop environments. It features the MATE desktop – so the user interface might seem a little different at first but it’s easy to use as well. Ubuntu, especially with Unity, is not made for old computers. Old versions of Linux Thanks to Mediactive Network for hosting this website. It aims to be a general purpose OS while offering a stable rolling release cycle. Zorin OS Lite is based on the Lubuntu distribution from Canonical and sports a lightweight desktop environment powered by the LXDE project. ToriOS strives to maintain the KISS principle and uses JWM to provide a lightweight graphical user interface. Any Linux distro is better than Windows/OS X when it comes to old hardware. On top of that are all the basic tools. Soon we will update the list with more lightweight Linux distributions that will breathe new life into your old machines as long as they have no hardware fault. our earlier list of Linux distributions for old laptops, how to check if you have a 32 bit or 64 bit computer, things to remember before installing Debian. Manjaro XFCE edition is fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user-friendly. The 5th lightweight Linux for old computers is Peppermint. Distributions classified by Linux kernel : (PDF file, links in bold allow direct download of the.iso file) PIXEL (Pi Improved Xwindows Environment, Lightweight) — default OS for the Raspberry Pi — now possible to reinvigorate an old laptop. The distro doesn’t have an onboarding utility like some of its peers and also relies on the distro-agnostic Calamares installer to help users anchor the distro to their disks. Manjaro is a great Linux distro for laptops for multiple reasons. While desktop operating systems and Linux server operating systems aim at traditional laptop, desktop, and server hardware, OSMC is one of the Linux HTPC distros for single-board devices. Download Linux software in the Linux Distributions category . Arya Linux; 2,555 downloads; AryaLinux 2.1. ReactOS is not a Linux distro but an open source operating system binary compatible with Windows. Labeled as the Enlightened Linux Distro, Bodhi Linux is an Ubuntu LTS-based distribution. antiX provides a light, but fully functional and flexible free operating system for both newcomers and experienced users of Linux. Below you'll find links that lead directly to the download page of 25 popular Linux distributions. And also when it comes to old hardware any Linux distro is better than Windows/OS X because they all are well optimized and compatible with any system regardless of hardware configuration. Did you know, there are plenty of lightweight Linux distributions to power-up your old computer or laptop — Then why you still using old outdated operating systems like Windows XP? Please log in again. antiX offers users the "antiX Magic" in an environment suitable for old computers. PIXEL os PC version is based on Linux capable to power up x86 PCs runs really well on old hardware. Red Hat Linux and SUSE Linux were the original major distributions that used the .rpm file … Specifically with Arch Linux 32. Composed of free software, it has a wide choice of hardware platforms plus a strong community of developers you can rely upon. Void Linux is an interesting distribution independently developed by volunteers. wattOS is a lightweight Linux operating system remastered from the core Ubuntu Linux build. Linux Lite primarily targets Windows users and also its a number one choice of Linux distro if you are migrating from Windows environment. By default, it only includes software that is essential to most Linux users, including a file browser (PCManFM), a web browser (Midori) and a terminal emulator (Terminology). Best Linux distro for old hardware: Ubuntu MATE For running Linux on an older PC in 2019, I’ll recommend you to go with Ubuntu MATE. Nanolinux comes with several lightweight applications for Linux including a bundle of some awesome games. Lubuntu. Puppy Linux is projected to be an alternative to Windows. Nanolinux is the lite Linux distribution based Tiny Core — another lightweight distro. It runs on LXDE desktop environment... 2. Built on Genesis Framework and Powered by UpCloud. LinuxConsole is a unique lightweight Linux distribution primarily designed to turn old and semi-old computers into game console center. Each distro offers main path to using Linux… Tiny Core Linux is the extremely lightweight operating system based on a recent Linux kernel, BusyBox, Tiny X, Fltk, and Flwm. Tiny Core Linux not recommended for beginners though. Xubuntu, PsychOS, and Elementary OS are probably your best bets out of the 5 options considered. ArchLabs is heavily influenced and inspired by the look and feel of BunsenLabs. The best Linux distros offer the easiest and simplest way to use Linux, though a lot depends on whether you're a beginner or advanced user. OSMC is a great Linux media center distro. In this guide, we highlight some of the most popular and widely used Linux distributions based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.. 1. If you are a Linux beginner or moving from Windows/Mac to Linux world, then Zorin is one of the best alternatives. Lightweight Linux distributions for older pcs: Minimum system requirements for Tiny Core Linux: Minimum system requirements for Slax Linux: Minimum system requirements for Nanolinux: Minimum system requirements for Bodhi Linux: Minimum system requirements for Puppy Linux: Minimum system requirements for ConnochaetOS: Minimum system requirements for LinuxConsole: Minimum system requirements for Sparky Linux: Minimum system requirements for ArchLabs: Minimum system requirements for Linux Lite: Minimum system requirements for Manjaro Linux XFCE Edition: Minimum system requirements for PCLinuxOS: Minimum system requirements for Peppermint: Minimum system requirements for Zorin OS Lite: Best security-centric Linux distributions for privacy protection, Linux distros for users migrating from Windows to Linux, Snapdragon 888: Qualcomm Announces New Top-Of-The-Range SoC For Smartphones In 2021, Fujifilm GFX100 IR: Camera Designed For Scientific And Forensic Fields Takes 400 Megapixel Photos, Twitter To Reopen Verification Process In Early 2021 With New Requirements, Project Latte: Microsoft Aims To Bring Android Apps Into Windows 10, Developer Working On Porting Linux To Macs With Apple Silicon. For many users, Linux is synonymous with Ubuntu. There are lots of versions of Linux to choose from, all of them free (and awesome). It a perfect and best suited lightweight Linux distro for any old laptop as it takes very little power and resources to run. ArchLabs based on Arch Linux features the Openbox window manager as the primary desktop interface. Puppy Linux made its debut on 2003 when its developer Barry Kauler released his work publicly. The one requires low system configuration comes first and also keep in mind that, the distributions which require low processing power couldn’t have fancy UI animations and 3D stuff. Puppy Linux is an old player in the lightweight distro segment. Some features of this lite Linux distribution are Cinnamon desktop environment, easy step-by-step installation, sleek and user-friendly interface, and increased mobility by integrating directly with cloud-based applications. In this guide, we feature some of the best Linux distributions that you can install on your old PC and breathe some life into it. ToriOS is a Debian-based distribution which is specially designed to work on older computers. Also check out our other articles related to Linux distros: sir, is it necessary to learn all these operating system if we want to be a hacker. What is a Linux Live CD? Jan 22nd 2020, 21:19 GMT. Lubuntu. It’s based on Ubuntu LTS, which ensures access to thousands of Ubuntu software through its ever-growing app repository. I must confess, although I often wax poetic about the old ways of the Linux desktop, I much prefer my distributions to help make my daily workflow as efficient as possible. Slax Linux — a modern, portable, small and fast Linux operating system based on Debian. Knoppix, another live lite Linux distro, based on Debian. At the top of the tower is Debian — carefully organizing and fitting everything so it all works together. Linux Lite depends upon the Xfce Desktop Environment (Figure 1) and includes the likes of LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, VLC, GIMP, GNOME Disks, and much more. Arch Linux 32. The operating system features fast boot, support for new video cards (Intel, NVIDIA, ATI), can be turned into live USB and also can be installed as a dual-boot system with Windows. antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy-to-install Linux live CD distribution based on Debian’s “Stable” branch for x86 compatible systems. Bodhi Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution based on Ubuntu features Moksha — a custom-built window manager. Are you owning an old computer or laptop having limited specs to run a powerful operating system? Debian, a sort of pure Linux OS comes with over 51000 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine. If you’re using Windows or OS X and it “feels slow”, switch to a Linux distro. If we want to venture with this distro, we can download it for 32 bits from its website. The distro is easily installable and perfect for new Linux users with old PC. You’re guaranteed to see an improvement in performance. Despite its small size, Slax features nice graphical user interface with KDE desktop environment pre-installed with some essential software. The Linux distro is fast, flexible and powerful — perfect for those who use a pretty very old computer with a wired network connection for internet access. Unlike Tiny Core Linux, this 14 MB OS works along with beginners. That’s it for now. For justified reasons, it is often called a lightweight powerhouse. Linux Lite. XFCE edition of Manjaro Linux is a lightweight and reliable desktop with high configurability. ... A GNU/Linux distribution that aims to revive older hardware in a unique way with great software. Best Linux Distro For Old Laptop. Peppermint uses the LXDE desktop environment that is lightweight and easy to use. The distro comes with a beautiful UI and provides an easy to use system for non-experienced users and includes incredibly useful tools for the advanced ones. best lightweight Linux distributions tailored for beginners, 1 GHz Processor (Pentium 4 or equivalent), RAM: 128 MB (offline usage) / 512 MB (for web browser usage), RAM: 128 MB (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GB (Plasma Desktop), CPU: 300 MHz (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GHz (Plasma Desktop), Storage Space: 5 GB (Plasma Desktop) / 3 GB (Trinity Desktop), 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended for a comfortable usage), Disk space: 2 GB (CLI Edition), 10 GB (Home Edition), 20 GB (GameOver Edition), 5 GB storage space for minimal installation (20 GB for regular installation).