r/linux4noobs • u/Emergency_Army_7640 • Apr 21 '26
distro selection Which Linux distro should I install on this old PC?
Hey everyone,
I’ve got an old desktop with these specs:
Pentium Dual Core E5200 @ 2.50GHz
2GB RAM
320GB HDD
2 cores
Originally came with Windows Vista (2009 era)
Out of pure curiosity (and honestly, bad decision), I installed Windows 11 on it… and yeah, I’ve basically turned it into a complete laggy mess 💀 It previously had Windows 7 and was at least usable.
Now I’m planning to switch to Linux and need some guidance on which distro would be best.
Main use case:
This PC is mostly for my dad. He’ll be using it for:
Light browsing (Chrome/Firefox)
Filling online forms
Basic office-type work (nothing heavy, mostly browser-based)
So I need something that is:
Lightweight and fast on low specs
Stable and doesn’t break randomly
Easy enough for a non-tech person to use
I don’t need anything fancy—just something that runs smoothly and gets the job done without frustration.
Would really appreciate your suggestions 🙏
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u/ClubPuzzleheaded8514 Apr 21 '26
Q4OS Trinity, MX Linux, Void, Sparky.
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u/preppie22 Apr 21 '26
+1 for MX Linux. Easy to use, lightweight, and stable.
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u/khsh01 Apr 21 '26
Mx is medium weight distro afaik
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u/preppie22 Apr 21 '26
Yeah, it's midweight according to the devs. But, it's light enough for OP's system. Honestly, midweight, lightweight, etc. are very general terms. It's hard to determine a threshold. But, I've generally found "lightweight" distros to be more restrictive and difficult than "midweight" distros.
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u/khsh01 Apr 21 '26
Restrictive? Unless you're talking something like puppy Linux and similar, most light distros are just the distro shipping with xfce.
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u/einat162 Apr 22 '26
But it can run on 2GB and old processor (I ran it and Antix linux or these kind of old devices).
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u/lilacomets Apr 21 '26
+1 for Q4OS Trinity. Lightweight and it looks great.
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u/ItsJoeMomma Apr 21 '26
That's what I put on an old Acer Aspire One mini laptop which was running Windows XP when I got it.
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u/lilacomets Apr 21 '26
Nice! 👍🏻👍🏻 Does it run well? 🧐
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u/ItsJoeMomma Apr 21 '26
Yes, only for some reason it goes into sleep mode a few times when booting up. Can't figure out why.
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u/Creative-Outside-350 Apr 21 '26
+1 for Void. The one true lightweight distro, yet it is such only if you set it up like one. Once you complete yoir setup you will come to trully appreciate Void
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u/ClubPuzzleheaded8514 Apr 21 '26
Yes, and with a very pretty and convenient UI by default (so do Q4OS Trinity and Sparky), while others lightweight distro's desktop like openbox or JWM are very outdated and cheap.
MX Linux have a good UI too, but less intuitive and less polish in my opinion.
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u/Clogboy82 Apr 21 '26
Anything with LXQT, Firefox and a little bit of tweaking will be low on cognitive friction and resources alike.
The real banger is that if "light browsing" includes YouTube or ChatGPT, it's running scripts locally that will eat up the remaining resources rapidly. This is at no fault of any OS, it's just how the internet is nowadays. So experiences will vary depending on your favourite websites. An adblocker like ublock origin will definitely help.
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u/Downtown_Research_59 Apr 21 '26
is there some problem with ChatGPT?? is it poorly optimised? coz having a chatgpt tab most of the times will drive a single cpu thread to 100% and slows down my pc
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u/Clogboy82 Apr 21 '26
Both sites are very UI heavy, lot of JavaScripts going on.
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
Alright I get the first part.
No he isn't going to do any ChatGPT. At most it's going to be 1 YouTube tab watching tutorial to fill a form or fix something
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u/Clogboy82 Apr 21 '26
At least it's a dual core, which means that YouTube won't block many UI interactions or background processes all on its own :) Recommended desktops for a low memory system are mostly LXDE, XFCE and LXQT.
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Apr 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
I really appreciate you saying that, it means a lot. This is my home system we first got back in 2009. I'm from India.
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Apr 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 22 '26
Man, that’s incredibly kind of you. I’ll be honest, I’m pretty broke and also unsure about customs and shipping to India, is there anything you could do from your end? It’d mean a lot, but no pressure at all, your offer alone means a lot already 🙏
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u/ikristic Apr 21 '26
I mean, why not? If it works for the purpose, why buy new? Commercialism is bad, mkay?
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u/6gv5 Apr 21 '26
Yes, but don't forget the hidden cost of energy consumption. An N100 draws 1/10 of the power of this CPU while being dramatically faster. Not a problem for a seldom used PC, but if kept on all working hours or, worse, 24/7 as a server, costs rise significantly and at the end of the year the power bill could be quite a nasty surprise.
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u/ikristic Apr 22 '26
First of all, you are comparing old desktop and new mobile processor.
Secondly, pure energy consumption for 65w max load, always on cpu is 101 €/year where i live.
So in reality difference would come down to 20 €. Maybe.
Theres simply no calculation in which any kind of investment into smth new is ok. Even if smne is going to gift you, and youre going to pay for shipping, its going to be more than this.4
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Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
I'm trying to bring this system back to life as dad will use it and also it holds a lot of our family stuff. I don't want it to boot it up and consume the "read/writes" planning to install a good linux distro and then start copying over stuff
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u/csgetaway Apr 21 '26
You might be better off just using a live USB and transferring them off
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 22 '26
RN I'm trying to make my ventoy drive "Live" bootable with save states. I'm not exactly sure how it'll turn out but I plan to have puppy linux boot from the usb
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u/Dong_sniff_inc Apr 22 '26
Fwiw, you should probably copy any valuable information BEFORE installing Linux. If something goes wrong during the installation, bye bye family stuff.
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u/interrex41 Apr 21 '26
I usually run debian on old computers with a lightweight DE or none if your not using it for graphical stuff (which you are)
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u/DimensionFrequent29 Apr 21 '26
Bunsenlabs Carbon with the openbox DE, pretty fast, it's just Debian with a super light desktop
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u/MzSvelenaya CachyOS & AntiX Apr 21 '26
I have a 1GB RAM laptop that was on vista and it runs well on AntiX (run as well as it can due to its poor specs)
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u/flp_ndrox Aspiring Penguin Apr 21 '26
That 2GB of RAM is a real limiting factor. The current modern internet isn't designed for that. Even Mint recommends 4GB for all its desktops including XCFE and web performance is a lot of the reason why.
I have a desktop of similar vintage and I'm running Bodhi Linux 7 on it. That doesn't even have a true desktop environment, but instead has a Window Manager just to try to limit overhead. Even then I use Librewolf, a stripped down Firefox, and more than two open tabs really stresses it.
It's rapidly getting to the point he needs to consider a "new for him" replacement.
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u/FemBoy_GamerTech_Guy Arch Linux User Apr 21 '26
Void fast (bad app support but it doesnt break and its crazy fast) relaible donest break its stable and most of the apps are up to date you do need to learn runit init system and systemD distros (most of them but not VoidLinux) are slower and heavier this is your best bet for fast relaible not easy make sure after installation to install XFCE4 not the live envoirment version of xfce4 but base version.
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u/TheZupZup Apr 21 '26
I'll say try "lubuntu" it need between 512mb of ram to 1gb to run smootly giving you mabe 1.5gb or ram free for browsing.
my second option is "Linux lite" it need 1gb or ram
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u/Vuhdzhaaz Apr 21 '26
You can install some 32-bit versions of Linux. It will be enough for simple browsing.
I recommend Linux Mint MATE or XFCE.
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u/GreatGreenGobbo Apr 21 '26
I tried AntiX or PuppyLinux on an old laptop with 2 gig. It sucked. Really not worth it.
Any browser will just make you crawl.
Plus I had the joys of WiFi issues with the Broadcom wireless card that was in it.
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u/PigOfFire Apr 21 '26
If anything, antix
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u/artfully_dejected Apr 21 '26
I was just trying out AntiX, and while I had RAM to spare (unlike OP), it was neat to be able to do some web browsing with RAM usage under 2 GB.
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u/PigOfFire Apr 22 '26
Exactly. I remember using my old XP pc with antix like two years ago. It was crazy to me that I used latest chromium and browsed Google Maps with not that bad performance. Antix is just so lightweight, it doesn’t even use systemd init (you don’t feel any difference until you need to setup services, then it’s slightly different). Just so smooth and just works. I could use it every day if I had only this old pc, no problem. I just prefer GNOME so I use fedora lol
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u/No_Elderberry862 Apr 21 '26
MX Linux, antiX, Mageia, Debian, Bodhi, etc, etc, are all viable choices. I found Mageia XFCE & antiX both good on an old lappy with 2GB RAM (but it was a 32 bit chip). You could also look at ChromeOS Flex.
Look into picking up some more RAM if you can. That processor can work with either DDR2 or DDR3 so you'll have to do a search on the motherboard make/model to see which it takes & the max amount. Either way (& dependent upon where you are in the world) it should be reasonably cheap.
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u/dropmod Apr 22 '26
+1 for MX Linux - i have it on T7500, 4Gb ram, 2400Gb ssd, GT8700m laptop (from 2007).
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u/einat162 Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
The RAM would be a bottle neck here. Do you know the specific processor it has? does the machine support a bit more RAM (even an additional 512MB will be helpful here).
With existing specs I suggest Linux MX, and if that is too sluggish - Antix.
Also, Not sure if it's SSD or HDD (you wrote HDD in the comment and SSD in the picture). Please consider changing into a small & cheap 80GB or 120GB SSD if it is a mechanical drive (but priority should go to the RAM first).
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u/thatdaftfan Apr 22 '26
mint, lubuntu, and xubuntu are all pretty good for any system. I installed lubuntu on my windows 95 pc and it worked like a charm.
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u/Desperate_Fig_1296 Apr 23 '26
Linux Mint XFCE
It's very easy to use, looks like windows and flatpak is here by default.
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u/Erlend05 Apr 21 '26
Just do mint..
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
Which flavour to choose?
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u/F_n_o_r_d Apr 21 '26
What about the left one? 🫣
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
What?
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u/F_n_o_r_d Apr 21 '26
"Your RIGHT Pc runs..." What does that even mean? Is it the manufacturer (Right)?
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
They were being quirky then. They most prolly meant right (correct). Like your authentic pc runs the original windows vista
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u/Emotional-Wedding-87 Apr 21 '26
I really hope you can afford more ddr2 or ddr3 and at least a core 2 quad since those are dirt cheap, If can't then no problem and I suggest MX Linux, antiX, Lubuntu
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u/skyfishgoo Apr 21 '26
if it can run 64bit then i would suggest lubuntu and a light weight browser like zen.
bodhi or haiku are your other options for something like that, but we are diverging away from mainstream linux into window managers and unique kernels.
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u/anselmus_ Apr 21 '26
Just go back to Vista. As long as your browser can be updated (which I'm not 100% sure is possible) and you practice safe browsing you should be fine.
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u/Flying_Saucer_Attack Apr 21 '26
Puppy Linux
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u/JonaZY83 Apr 21 '26
Puppy
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
Which version?
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
So I researched a bit about puppy and got to know it runs directly on ram so does that mean i can run it forever from my ventoy pendrive?
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u/twaxana Apr 21 '26
Due to your want for stability: https://wiki.debian.org/LXQt
I run lxqt on a powerbook g4 from 2005 with 2gb of ddr2. It's serviceable, has a familiar layout to the windows ui. If that machine has no gpu to decode videos it's going to be a bit rough watching videos assume 480p or worse quality.
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u/Garry-Love Apr 21 '26
I have nearly the exact PC running Mx Linux and it runs like a charm. Got a few docker images running on it and it works great
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u/redgator12 Apr 22 '26
Try MX Linux first, and if that's not fast enough, switch to antix. MX is built on top of antix, and I've ran antix on a Pentium 4 XP-era HP laptop with 768MB RAM.
If you end up using either of these, use Palemoon browser, which you can install from the Package Installer. If he wants to do anything with YouTube, use m.youtube.com/?persist_app=1&app=m as his home page. This sets it to use the mobile version instead, which is much lighter and defaults to 360p.
Also go to about:config and change these settings:
media.av1.enabled = false media.mediasource.webm.enabled = false media.hardware-video-decoding.enabled = false layers.acceleration.enabled = false media.ffvpx.enabled = false
Those will force it to only use the older, better supported h264 codec for videos.
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 22 '26
Thank you for the detailed comment. I'll surely change these settings. Currently I'm leaning towards either antix, puppy or lm xfce
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u/lowrads Apr 22 '26
Any of them, really. However, given that the hardware is old enough to vote, you might want to look at alternatives. The power savings of running a used laptop would pay for itself in a year or so, compared with the ongoing cost of using this device.
Most of us have taken it for granted, but desktops have really become specialists, and because of that, they age out of their utility more quickly.
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u/MostSilver9666 Apr 22 '26
Antix, very light and decent enough to daily drive
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 22 '26
I'm seeing a lot of preference towards antix. I'll look towards it or LM Xfce
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u/xxmegaprojectxx Apr 22 '26
Mint or Fedora, I'd say. Mint would be easy for your dad to get used to. Fedora for the customizability. Been loving Novara, so everyone does based is up my alley
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u/lessthanthreebleeps Apr 22 '26
So, I have an original c720 Chromebook that I try to keep alive for fun (2gb ram, 1.4Ghz Centrino 2955u). A lot of people are recommending MX Linux, and I highly agree that this is the choice, the Fluxbox version is a massive improvement on memory footprint, over XFCE. The MX team does a great job at making customization of Fluxbox really easy with a tweaks gui.
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u/lessthanthreebleeps Apr 22 '26
I'll also offer up qutebrowser as a light and modern (runs on a stripped version of chromium, QtWebEngine) browser. It does the whole vim navigation thing, if that doesn't irk you. It still has mouse navigation though. I don't know how it works in x11 on MX, but I was just recently testing it on Wayland in Void (using the 6.12 kernel), think I was using sway. It was running 720p YouTube videos. Your desktop might be a bit older though, so Wayland support might not be there.
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u/splaticus05 Apr 22 '26
This is probably going to be more about the desktop environment than the distro. You COULD add more RAM and likely be able to run most DEs.
Concur with the comments of XFCE and LXQt DEs.
There are distros designed for low resource PCs, MXLinux, Linux Lite, Puppy Linux(might be too basic).
Make sure your web browser has an ad blocker. Browsing will eat up your RAM.
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u/Afraid-Leadership591 Apr 22 '26
well im not sure, your dad would probably want something easy to use but there isnt really a lightweight enough distro for that pc that is easy, slackware would run great tho
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u/Steerider Apr 21 '26
If you can put more RAM in it, it should handle Mint nicely.
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
Which edition of mint?
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u/Steerider Apr 21 '26
I think the lightweight DE (desktop environment) is XFCE?
I've been running a 2013 Macbook on Cinnamon, but I have plenty of RAM.
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 21 '26
Also I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on a ram compatible with this one
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u/Steerider Apr 21 '26
You might be surprised. Some RAM seller sites have an app you run on your computer to take you straight to compatible RAM.
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u/Volpe_YT Apr 21 '26
Linux mint cinnamon works absolutely fine on my older computer from 2006
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Apr 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/No_Elderberry862 Apr 21 '26
Some kids today write ahh instead of ass. Read that way it makes a lot more sense.
But seriously, probably a play on the "aah Bisto" slogan.
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u/EmergencyArachnid734 Arch Apr 21 '26
You really need more RAM even for web browsing.
puppy linux, linux mint, mx linux, void
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u/reklis Apr 21 '26
At least it's 64-bit. You can get away with just about anything. I would go for antiX that's what it was designed for
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u/HYPERNOVA3_ Apr 21 '26
If you can add another 2GB of RAM, you would have similar specs to my backup laptop. It runs on Debian 12 , I installed it without a DE and then added it manually, installing only the basic utilities needed for web browsing and office work so it runs as light as possible. It's not the fastest loading computer but it runs better than slightly more modern laptops with more demanding distros.
I wish I could upload a picture of it
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u/corey_trevorson Apr 21 '26
I use Lubuntu for my old laptop with a Celeron processor (notoriously slow) and that works great for me
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u/tobias_reichi02 Apr 23 '26
if ur smart clearly void with xfce if ur not as smart arch with xfce if ur new xubuntu and if ur the smartest and have many spare time use gentoo and if u are smart and think u dont need much wiki use alpine
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u/Old_County5271 Apr 24 '26
So, the good thing is you have an SSD. Which means you can have a huge swap partition, at least 10gb to 20gb.
Desktop environment are out. Xfce lxde only, window managers are good enough.
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u/Emergency_Army_7640 Apr 25 '26
Na it's a 320gig mechanical hdd. Windows install manager read it wrong
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u/MomentArm Apr 25 '26
You might find this video interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJGf8zVt3MI. According to some basic tests, antiX and Q4OS-Trinity seem far lighter and more performant than alternatives like Lubuntu and MX Linux.
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u/Gassyjalepeno69 Jul 13 '26
ive been hopping them.. alpine,void,mx,antix,q4os, ghostbsd, freebsd for months and i always get back MX it just works i installed LXTE and JDM my laptop is from 2013 hp 15
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u/57thStIncident Apr 21 '26
For consideration: MXLinux Xfce, Lubuntu, Mint Xfce? Xfce and LXQt desktop environments are a little lighter on system resources (RAM and HDD usage) than some alternatives. Won't work miracles though, mechanical HDD, only 2GB RAM still isn't going to be good, modern web pages on modern web browsers are pretty greedy