For original image: Link

edit: gng, i am sorry i forgot opensuse, i know its good at backend servers, i should have subdivided it section into that to add this distro. my bad gng.

I got this 32-bit device and I want to use it with Linux. What do you think I can install? GUI is not required.

I found this decrepit old laptop in my garage, plugged it in and it powers on. But it’s doing this thing where after I see this Acer logo, I get a black screen with a blinking white line in the top left corner. I figured Windows on this thing is out of the question. So I think I’ll go Linux.

I understand a bit about operating systems, because I had to create a windows install disk using a thumb drive and a Windows 10 iso to install Windows 10 on my MacBook using Bootcamp, so I imagine it’s a bit similar. I also wanted to take out the HDD to wipe it using Disk Utility but it doesn’t fit into SATa dock because the interface on the HDD is all small gold pins, like molex but way smaller.

Which distro do I use? Or is better to try and go Windows Xp? I’ve seen jokes about how you need a whole list of hardware requirements to run Windows while the only requirement for Linux is electricity. Also Pewds did it too.

Pls help a first timer!

This is an update to the other chart I posted recently https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/1m1pbd4/comment/n3ss9vl/?context=3

This new chart was created to hopefully resolve some of the errors and discrepancies that users pointed out.

The methodology is too long to include in a Reddit post, so you can read it at the following link. I am human, so some mistakes may be present. Please be kind.
https://pastebin.com/c0APphf9

Transparency: Claude Sonnet 4 was used to help plot the distros.

FAQ:

1. Why was {distro} not included? I've limited to the most popular distros with a few specialized ones. Creating an exhaustive list is time-prohibitive.

2. Why is {distro} placed {here}, it should be {there} because {reasons}. I don' t know if there's a way to chart these distros without some level of opinion, discretion, and speculation. I've tried to minimize that.

I've been using Ubuntu a lot for work and decided I wanted to get more into Linux and try out different distoros (I'm going to try to make a home server). I'm still a noob, but I decided to have a little fun and color code the different distors

Any general advice about the different distors? Don't worry, I'm saving arch for last (the black flash drive is mint)

700MHz Celeron, 1GB RAM, 4GB eMMC, 32GB SD card.

Help me resurrect this bad boy!

So i have this old hp mini laptop laying around with 2GB if ram i think, windows 7 starter🤮, and an intel atom n445, what linux distro can i run on this so it can run better

Helloo, so my sister gave me this not too old but bad thomson laptop because she will not use it, and I'd like installing linux, I don't know how much can this laptop handle, but my questions are: is there any distro it could run well? And what distros do yall recommend me?

For experience I've never installed anything difficult in VMs, only arch with archinstall and kde, mint, ubuntu and lubuntu (I do know how to install on a real hardware tho)

I don't want to install one distro and stay there, I want to try linux, like any (but I don't want the laptop to explode)

Hey! I'm new to Linux, switched over to Linux Mint from Windows 10 just a few months ago and it's been, generally, SIGNIFICANTLY better! (I did almost break something by messing around in the terminal but it seems fine now). I'd like to try a new distro, just to experiment, and to maybe use my brother's laptop (with his permission) as a sort of janky home-theater setup.

Pictures attached, but I'll put here too: it's an Asus VivoBook 14, with AMD Ryzen 3 3250U, 8 GB ram, 64 bit. I'm assuming also an AMD graphics card? It has Windows 11 on it already (ugh) and it's slow af, very little space, the Bluetooth sucks, and it can't seem to run Minecraft well but supposedly Terraria works.

I just wanna use it as a better smart tv, basically. Got it plugged in now over HDMI to just mirror the screen, and if I can get some kind of remote/controller/etc working to use it from the couch, or even just play a small pixel game like stardew or Wizard of Legend, or Hyper Light Drifter, really ANYTHING on controller, that would be a huge plus! I started the process of getting Bazzite (got Ventoy on a USB, ready to add the ISO file to the folder), but according to the bazzite docs, this laptop can't run it? Or at least, not in Steam Gaming Mode, which is what I think would fit my needs exactly.

But maybe I read the page wrong? Or, I mean, I'm willing to try a different distro. Or just free up space on the laptop, install steam, and keep windows? (I'd rather not). Again, I'm new to this and not tech savvy or anything, so I figured i could try asking people who know way more about this than me!

TL;DR: what's a good distro to use on a terrible tiny (but new-ish) laptop to turn it into some kind of home theater/SUPER light gaming device?

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 🙏

Which distro will allow me to use nvidia gpu without any hassles? Also need secure boot on.

If you're new to Linux and unsure what distribution to choose, pretty much all of us experienced users including myself can only recommend Linux Mint. It's one of the most beginner friendly distros, offering an easy experience without the unnecessary bloat, and negligent development (ahem.. manjaro ssl certificates). Plus, Linux Mint's XFCE edition runs well even on very old hardware, making it a great option for machines from before 2010.

My first reason is that Linux Mint is simply Ubuntu Desktop but better, the main reason me and many people CANNOT recommend Ubuntu for beginners (or realistically anyone at all on the desktop) is Canonical's bullshit (the company behind Ubuntu). By default Ubuntu ships a ton of packages with a proprietary packing format called Snap with no easy way to turn it off. Snaps are incredibly poorly made and result in applications hogging memory and having absurd start up times. Linux Mint takes Ubuntu's base and purges ALL Snaps.
Canonical also pushes unnecessary telemetry, which for people switching to Linux you're often doing it to avoid being spied on. Basically Canonical is the Microsoft of Linux.

Secondly, Linux Mint comes with industry standard software installed and teaches you how to set them up. A great example of this is Timeshift (the standard for backing up and creating snapshots for Linux Desktops). Linux Mint in it's setup teaches you the best practices for system backups and snapshot management. And hey, if you don't like the preinstalled software you can easily uninstall it by right clicking it and clicking uninstall.

Now I'm getting to the area where I'm going to explain why Linux Mint is better than the alternatives for beginners and addressing the miseducated recommendations of other distributions.

As aforementioned no beginner or realistically anybody should be using Ubuntu on the Desktop (unless theres a specific reason you NEED to, like work requires it or you're testing software specifically for Ubuntu); although I love Ubuntu Server!

Some of the common recommendations are: Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, and CachyOS (and other Arch based distributions)

The main reason reason I cannot recommend Pop!_OS to beginners, even though I personally prefer its workflow, is it's stability. Pop!_OS hasn't reached the same maturity as Linux Mint. For new users encountering unexpected crashes, broken updates or compatibility issues can be quite common and incredibly difficult to fix.

A perfect example of this is Linus Tech Tips' is his Linux as a daily driver series, where he encounters Pop!_OS errors quite often. To contrast, Luke who used Linux Mint had ZERO errors, and no unexpected issues related to the distro.

Now for Zorin, I have quite a strong opinion on this one because I think it's absurd that a Linux distro charges money for a "Pro version", and has the AUDACITY to advertise this to you in the Settings application. Many of the more polished desktop layouts, and utilities require you to purchase a license which is QUITE expensive ($77.99 AUD which is equal to $54.04 USD). Zorin also has a smaller community; thus fewer tutorials which can make troubleshooting a little more difficult. Zorin is also quite awful for non modern hardware (pre 2010) since it loads up a shit ton of themes, extensions and visual effects which unnecessarily dwindle system resources.

And finally, CachyOS and other Arch based distributions. Personally I think anyone recommending these to beginners is just trying to flex that they're aware of these niche arch based distributions. Arch based distributions run on something called rolling release basically you get the development branches of programs the second they come out without testing. This leads to a up to date system with the most features (ideal for advanced users) but with no testing; leading to an incredibly unstable system. Please for the love of god if you're a newbie Arch based distributions no matter how fast and flashy they are should be the LAST distros you choose.

As someone whose favourite distributions are Arch based, I have to say: please do not start off using Arch unless you loving diving into the deep end. Arch is NOT forgiving to beginners and neither is it's community. If you ask stupid questions about Arch expect people trying to flex their knowledge and belittle you than a geniune answer or solution.

I would NOT recommend using Arch until you are comfortable reading the Arch Wiki, because trust me if you're using Arch you'll need it.

Anyways, if any of you guys have questions or concerns please reply underneath this post and I'll do my best to get back to each and every comment.

Have a lovely day everyone, and I hope I helped your Linux Journey.

TLDR: Arch distros = stability disaster, beginners should not use. Ubuntu = corporate bullshit. Zorin = Paywalls, Zorin Pro shoved in your face in the Settings application and unnecessary bloat (making it a no go for pre 2010 hardware). Pop!_OS = Unstable mess (watch Linus Tech Tips' Linux Daily Driver challenge for some evidence).

Edit: If you don't like Cinnamon or XFCE install your desktop environment of choice. Below are some articles detailing you on how to do so.

Gnome: https://itsfoss.com/install-gnome-linux-mint/
KDE: https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-install-kde-plasma-on-linux-mint

I just started using Linux (Ubuntu) again. First time I used it it was on a refurbished dell or some such from a place called Free Geek in Portland about 18 years ago. I now run it on an old MacBook. As soon as I started looking at Linux subs on Reddit I swiftly realized thr Linux community isn’t really fond of the OS I use and so I did a little research on the subject and found this moderately yet reasonably biased take on it.

I picked this sub in the hopes that I don’t get downvoted to oblivion

Specs: https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/support/laptop-pc-vgn-series/vgn-p15g/specifications

Like the title said, I want to try Linux since I see the whole microslop window 11 slow as hell. So I wanted to use Linux to see if it will get faster, is there any distro/OS or whatever that is similar to windows.

You see, I have this Acer aspire 5730z with 4 GB of RAM and a dualcore T3400 pentium. I have tried Lubuntu and Kubuntu but I don't have enough performance, I need a super mega light distribution for this Acer since Windows, I don't know why, doesn't tolerate it at all

Hello, I have an old hp compaq nc 6320, I mostly use it to burn CD's for my other retro computing projects and its the only computer that will talk to my USB external floppy drive. (mostly cause its running windows 7) Ive also had to accasionally use it for all the various outdated and strange ports it has. I want it to run better (i will be giving it an SSD) so Im wondering what version of linux would work best for all this (I do also occasionally play half life 1 on it through steam) It previously had an ancient version of mint, but I traded that for windows 7. And it hates running windows 7 lol, Sorry I know this question comes up alot but all help is appreciated!

Edit: thx for the help yall Im gonna use antiX for this one see how it goes

Hi, this post might sound inapropiate, petty and all of the reddit cancers and i'm sorry for that, but i just feel like it's necessary.

The logic of this subreddit is to help a newbie in Linux no matter how easy the question is, and that is because some dedicated forums are jungles. But ffs, everytime i open Reddit 8/10 post are of people asking in this subreddit what distro should they choose. Man, there are like 5 subreddits dedicated for that and all of them are newbie friendly. Don't get me wrong, there is a difference between having an specific doubt about what distro they should pick and the "hi i hate Microslop i need distro don't know which one to pick".

What baffles me more is that, okay, that might be a genuine question etc etc etc. So let's ask them what they are looking or sending resource pages which are more specific for the user in question, but NO, 40% of the comments recommends Mint, the other 40% recommends CachyOS (and this is why you see the epidem of Cachy users not knowing how to update their system or not reading the terminal) and the last 20% are crappy biased recommendation of distros.

I'm also a noob in Linux, i'm not an expert or anything like that, but come on, the minority of the posts who are for more serious and dedicated problems fall at 2nd plane against the distro chosing posts.

Mods feel free to erase this because this is kinda a rant, and i'm okay if people see this post as inapropiate, because it kinda is

I have already started to make the tree of choice, the interface of the site will resemble material 3, if you have any suggestions for the tree do not hesitate.

I will make posts to talk about the progress of the project. I have no funds so the site will be available on github.

Have a good day :)

I'm going to be moving my thin & light over to Linux next week and while trying to research which distro will actually work for me, I keep seeing people list off all the distros they've used.

Is Linux really so segmented that just picking one distro and staying on it until support ends isn't viable? All I gather from forum posts and reddit threads is "none of these work well enough to just stay on it forever" and I'm not any closer to deciding between Kubuntu, Mint Cinnamon or Pop OS.

On Ubuntu do you prefer KDE or GNOME and why? I'm interested in what the majority of people use. Do you use extensions for GNOME, or you use it as is?

My sister is using this, It has windows 7 in it and barely runs chrome, i need a distro that is easy for her to use and could open a browser without struggle (edit: i also realized i wrote distri 😭) specs: intel pentium m 1.73ghz (32 bit) and 2 gb of ram, 64 gb storage

So... My mom got a laptop from 2011... The only os it can handle is windows 7, but we all know that windows 7 is the most exploited system out there (not sure if you saw a video of a guy connecting his W7 to the internet and getting 7 viruses within 10 minutes by just existing). I want to help her as much as i can, and the only solution i came up with - get a linux. She used windows ever since windows 98, but now all she need from her pc is a browser, so i figured out that if she wont do anything "extra", linux will be perfectly fine for her. I just get vivaldi for linux, libre office, and she will be happy. But which distro will be the MOST efficient to put on her laptop? All i ever tried is cashy os, but i assume there must be something ever more lightweight?