Updated: 20-Apr-2016
We've talked quite a bit, on the podcast, about revitalizing old computers with lightweight Linux distributions. A couple of questions have been raised by our listeners. We address both of them up front in this article, and in episode 297 of the podcast:
Any self respecting Linux user would agree that the fairest comparison of a modern Linux distribution with other operating systems is on the latest hardware. Linux simply out performs other operating systems in so many ways. The best way to run any modern Linux distribution, lightweight or not, is on new computer hardware. Let's not forget, though, that lightweight distros do extend the life of older hardware -- older hardware that is just too underpowered to run the advanced features of the most demanding software. Another consideration is, that when you buy a new computer with Windows or OSX pre-installed, you have to deal with planned obsolescence, a "feature" that is so common with proprietary software. When you replace that limiting OS with Linux, you will have a powerful, modern computer that can be used, updated and upgraded for years without trouble and without cost. Let's look at what it takes to run a lightweight Linux on a computer you already have, whether it's old or new.
With that in mind, let's consider a few questions you might ask in choosing a lightweight distro: What are the minimum system requirements? Sure, a new computer will meet those requirements, but does my older computer have the horsepower to run Linux? What about ChromeOS? Can I run it, instead? What about Linux distros that look like ChromeOS? Is Unity really as much of a resource hog as it seems from the reviews?
Distribution |
Minimum RAM (recommended) |
Connectivity |
Minimum Storage (recommended) |
Minimum CPU (recommended) |
Minimum Display Resolution (recommended) |
Ubuntu-MATE 15.10 |
512MB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
8GB |
Pentium III 750-megahertz |
1024x768j |
Xubuntu |
512MB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
5GB |
A PAE Processor |
800x600 |
Linux Mint 17.3 |
512MB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
9GB |
The 64-bit ISO can boot with BIOS or UEFI. |
800x600 |
Cub Linux |
512MB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
4GB |
1GHZ Processor, Intel/AMD (dual core preferred) |
800x600 |
CloudReady |
1GB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
8GB |
Desktops & Laptops: Introduced on or after May 2007 |
1366x768 |
Ubuntu 15.10 |
512MB |
Wifi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired) |
20GB-44GB |
700MHz |
1024x768 |
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Going Linux Podcast by Larry Bushey is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.