Recommend Lightweight Linux Distro for Old Laptop

Title says all , Need recommendation on a Lightweight Linux Distro for an Old Laptop.

I found one of my old laptop is still alive and I thought of using it for learning and practicing Linux on that.

My Laptop Specification:

Processor : Intel Celeron N 2940 @1.83 GHz(4 CPUs)
RAM : 2 GB DDR3
HDD : 500 GB
GPU : Intel HD Graphics
Display Resolution : HD (1366 x 768) 11 inch

By googling I found there are so many distros now days but still confused which will be best for me.

I am looking for something which is from Debian family and have GUI .

Will be interested to know anyone still uses old system like mine and which OS they prefer.

Currently Using Hetzner , OVH , Buyvm , Webhorizon , Hyonix , ConnectIndo

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Comments

  • edited February 2023

    Clean Debian 11 + Xfce
    Work well on my 5 years old shitty DELL laptop

    Thanked by (3)vyas webz chimichurri

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  • I like MX21 + XFCE

    Thanked by (2)webz AlwaysSkint
  • vyasvyas OGRetired

    @webz said:

    Processor : Intel Celeron N 2940 @1.83 GHz(4 CPUs)
    RAM : 2 GB DDR3
    HDD : 500 GB
    GPU : Intel HD Graphics
    Display Resolution : HD (1366 x 768) 11 inch

    Can you upgrade the RAM or change the HDD to SSD? That opens up many more options.

    But if you plan to use as-is, here is my (tried, tested, preferred) list

    Ubuntu Based:
    Bodhi
    Lubuntu
    Linux Lite

    Debian Based:
    Sprialinux (from the same dev as Gecko Linux)
    Siduction
    Antix or MX

    All work well even on my Dell D520 with Core 2 Duo 1.7 Mhz/ 2 GB DDR2. I did upgrade to SSD before settling down on ZorinOs :-)

  • Bah just run Slax on it and be done with it.

    Thanked by (1)webz

    "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Frankz and Mason!!"

  • vyasvyas OGRetired

    @AuroraZero said:
    Bah just run Slax on it and be done with it.

    Not know too many folks who use it!!
    Lovely distro when it was Slack based

    Havent used the debian version

  • edited February 2023

    In 2012, I installed Lubuntu on an INSPIRON 600m laptop from 2005.
    My main use case was writing dissertation in a text editor, compiling with pdflatex, and reading with PDF viewer.
    I rarely used the browser, which was the slowest component of the system.
    I considered it as a benefit, because I could focus on my dissertation without distraction from Facebook and email.
    I used this laptop until 2017, when the hardware started failing.

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  • @AuroraZero said:
    Bah just run Slax on it and be done with it.

    Thanks, this one looks lovely will try it for sure.

    @vyas said:
    Debian Based:
    Sprialinux (from the same dev as Gecko Linux)

    Thanks will give this one a try too.

    Currently Using Hetzner , OVH , Buyvm , Webhorizon , Hyonix , ConnectIndo

  • edited February 2023

    @vyas said:

    @AuroraZero said:
    Bah just run Slax on it and be done with it.

    Not know too many folks who use it!!
    Lovely distro when it was Slack based

    Havent used the debian version

    Just looked it can be either still. At least that is what the website said.

    Iliked it because it had everything that is needed. Could be run off a thumb drive or hard drive. It was fast and made older systems useful again. All that and it just worked like it should.

    Thanked by (1)vyas

    "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Frankz and Mason!!"

  • @yoursunny said:
    In 2012, I installed Lubuntu on an INSPIRON 600m laptop from 2005.
    My main use case was writing dissertation in a text editor, compiling with pdflatex, and reading with PDF viewer.
    I rarely used the browser, which was the slowest component of the system.
    I considered it as a benefit, because I could focus on my dissertation without distraction from Facebook and email.
    I used this laptop until 2017, when the hardware started failing.

    Need parts got one in closet and it still boots to prompt.

    "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Frankz and Mason!!"

  • Antix-sid 22 386 is still keeping my IBM (not Lenovo) R51 going.

    Thanked by (2)webz shallow
  • @webz said:
    Need recommendation on a Lightweight Linux Distro for an Old Laptop.
    one of my old laptop is still alive and I thought of using it for learning and practicing Linux on that.

    I have a feeling that there are so many "lite" distros around, you are likely to get tired of choosing.

    Debian:

    Ubuntu:

    • Lubuntu
    • LXLE
    • Xubuntu
    • Zorin OS Lite

    Arch:

    Hardcore:

    I'd go with something Debian-based.
    For learning probably look at notes like "for power users", "modular", "highly customizable". Although they may be rather subjective.

    Will be interested to know anyone still uses old system like mine and which OS they prefer.

    I use a laptop with older, but faster processor - Core i3-370M.

    For administrative (office) tasks it still works so well that I can't get myself to replace its CPU to Core i5-560M.
    Have the latter lying around and collecting dust for a couple of years already :-|

    Thanked by (2)webz how
  • I have a Chromebook with N2840 running NixOS just fine, qtile desktop.

    I know this is not debian but any distro with a lightweight desktop environment (LXQT, XFCE, etc) will do. Or, just ditch the desktop environment altogether and use a window manager like Openbox, i3, etc.

    Thanked by (1)webz

    The all seeing eye sees everything...

  • Lubuntu

    Thanked by (1)webz

    Why?

  • edited February 2023

    Adding some ram would be great, but you don't have to.
    It's not about which distributions to choose but which desktop environment to choose:
    if you launch a latest Gnome in Arch Linux, that will cost about 1G ram;
    if you launch an openbox in Ubuntu, that will cost less than 200M ram;

    I would recommend lightweight window managers like openbox or i3-wm.

    BTW

    @webz said: Will be interested to know anyone still uses old system like mine and which OS they prefer.

    I was still using a 2013 laptop (Intel Celeron 1005M, 16G DDR3, 500G Toshiba HDD) until last Black Friday. Cold start (first start from boot) is slow, but after that most common tasks run fast (thanks to large ram cache).

    Thanked by (1)webz

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  • skorupionskorupion Services Provider

    Not sure if this has the base from Debian but puppy Linux
    https://puppylinux-woof-ce.github.io/

    Thanked by (1)webz
  • Installed Puppy Linux on an Pentium 4 desktop this AM. 3ghz, 1GB ram. I tried Slax and Linux Lite but Puppy - actually the UPup Ubuntu version - was the only one that was hassle free, so far anyway. Needed a 32bit version for my antique computer. There might be better options for your 64 bit Celeron

    The included browser worked right out of the box and one click downloads for Chromium and Firefox also made things go smooth, no certificate or SSL issues. The OS seems to be stable, surprisingly fast, and very usable.

    Thanked by (1)webz
  • Thanked by (2)webz shallow

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  • @skorupion said:
    Not sure if this has the base from Debian but puppy Linux
    https://puppylinux-woof-ce.github.io/

    This.
    I think Puppy is a good choice for older machines.
    Official download site. https://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/

    Filen.io - use this link to signup and we both get extra 10GB free.
    https://filen.io/r/4d472d5cdb57f6663621a251065e0b51

  • +1 for Debian with XFCE. If you need something even lighter (less than 1GB RAM) Puppy Linux is the way to go.

    Cheap dedis are my drug, and I'm too far gone to turn back.

  • My prevoius laptop cpu was Intel Celeron B810 @ 1.60GHz and was working best on MATE DE, as that one is based on de from that cpu era and its best optimized for older hw. I had tried every DE there is and i got best results with MATE which was freeze free, while others tend to freeze too much. Then i got fond of Manajro and Ubuntu MATE so thats what i was using. After upgrading to Intel Core i5-2540M for too cheap (20$ at that time.. now its 13$) every DE works good now. Also if you can throw cheapest SSD you can find, it will make your laptop more usable.

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  • @emperor said:
    My prevoius laptop cpu was Intel Celeron B810 @ 1.60GHz and was working best on MATE DE, as that one is based on de from that cpu era and its best optimized for older hw. I had tried every DE there is and i got best results with MATE which was freeze free, while others tend to freeze too much. Then i got fond of Manajro and Ubuntu MATE so thats what i was using. After upgrading to Intel Core i5-2540M for too cheap (20$ at that time.. now its 13$) every DE works good now. Also if you can throw cheapest SSD you can find, it will make your laptop more usable.

    upgrading processor on a laptop is not something everyone can do...

    The all seeing eye sees everything...

  • @terrorgen said: upgrading processor on a laptop is not something everyone can do...

    Actually its quite simple.. its only 20ish screws. Also laptops are like those puzzles where parts dont fit in other places. There are tons of videos also. Everyone can do it if they want.

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  • Laptop Processors are soldered to the motherboard. Unless you are changing the motherboard I don't think it is easy.

    The all seeing eye sees everything...

  • @terrorgen said:
    Laptop Processors are soldered to the motherboard. Unless you are changing the motherboard I don't think it is easy.

    Not all of them I have an HP laptop that uses a desktop proc. Can be switched from a single core to a dual core.

    My x220 daily driver is soldered to the board though.

    "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Frankz and Mason!!"

  • @AuroraZero said: Not all of them I have an HP laptop that uses a desktop proc. Can be switched from a single core to a dual core.

    Hmm ok. I have never seen one IRL.

    The all seeing eye sees everything...

  • It is a zv6000 series with an AMD socket 939 Athlon 3200+ as a base. Came with an ATI 128 gb video card dedicated ram no sharing.

    That thing is a beast and a tank. Dropped it down the basement stairs once, thought well shit that is the end of that, broke a little piece of plastic that is all. Booted right up like it was laughing at me or something.

    Thanked by (1)webz

    "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Frankz and Mason!!"

  • I recently installed https://elementary.io/ on an old laptop. Haven't had time to really test it, but first impression is very good.

    Thanked by (1)webz
  • milkboymilkboy OG
    edited February 2023

    @webz said: I found one of my old laptop is still alive and I thought of using it for learning and practicing Linux on that.

    1. Raspberry pi OS for PC for PC is the best for true beginner, since it has a great tutorials and community forum.
      RPi PC has very clear installation tutorial and great many other tutorials (though it can be used for other debian/ubuntu based OS)

    2. Lubuntu similar to RPi PC OS

    3. Xubuntu & linux mint (XFCE desktop), but in my experience on celeron N3150, there will be a slight performance hit, minimal but noticeable.

    @skorupion said: Not sure if this has the base from Debian but puppy Linux

    Puppy linux is based on ubuntu, but the different UI design language might be a turn off to some newbie

    For easy comparison, here is a Light-weight Linux distro wikipedia page

    Thanked by (1)webz
  • _MS__MS_ OG
    edited February 2023

    The usual suspects are already here.

    antiX, Lubuntu, Bodhi and Puppy are genuine lightweight distros.

    MX Linux Xfce, Linux Mint Xfce, Manjaro Xfce, Xubuntu, Zorin Lite and Linux Lite are midweight, in my opinion.

    One that has not been mentioned is Q4OS. Check out their Trinity variant as well if you're looking for a lightweight distro that also looks nice.
    There's one more called Artix Linux. Based on Arch, Systemd-free.

    Thanked by (2)webz AlwaysSkint
  • YmpkerYmpker OGContent Writer
    edited February 2023

    Now, many people don't like Chromebooks, but I've come to enjoy mine. You could flash ChromeOS Flex which comes with the possibility of built-in Linux Container (Debian) iirc.
    https://shakeuptech.com/linux-on-chrome-os-flex/#Why_Install_Linux_on_Chrome_OS_Flex

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