When we talk about old computers, most of them are still using Windows Vista, XP or Windows 7 and where they don’t get a new update from Microsoft anymore. It’s more susceptible to malware. Linux has better options than that. Many of Distro provided free and your privacy. Also It supports you to run Linux for old PC smoothly.
If your computer is still using a 32-bit architecture system, we recommend that you go to the 32-bit linux list page by clicking the button below.
But if you are already using a 64-bit architecture system, in this article, I give you my recommendations of Distro to use on your old computer.
I’ve tried several of those distro on my laptop with the specifications is:
Lenovo T400 (2008)
- Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz × 2
- 64-bit
- 4Gb RAM
AntiX
antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy to install systemd-free linux live CD distribution based on Debian Stable for Intel-AMD x86 compatible systems. antiX offers users the “antiX Magic” in an environment suitable for old and new computers.
AntiX Linux Minimum Requirements
- Processor Intel-AMD x86
- 256MB of RAM
- 5 GB hard disk size
Debian
I put debian for the first list here, because I have tried it. it is light and stable.
Debian DVD has provided by default Desktop environment GNOME, Plasma, Xfce, LXDE, Mate, Cinnamon, LXqt and others for details see here.
For a light DE of course LXDE, XFCE and LXQt. Please try Debian with the third Desktop Environment.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu means LXQT Ubuntu. The distribution is a derivative of Ubuntu using the LXDE/LXQT desktop environment.
This distro has a very simple interface, but has productive features.
Because it is a derivative of ubuntu, Lubuntu also follows the release version like ubuntu as well.
As of this writing, the available version of Lubuntu is 22.04 LTS Jammy JellyFish. This Linux is suitable for those of you who need a lightweight system.
I have written a comparison of lubuntu vs antix, read here.
To feel the lightness of Lubuntu, you can download it by clicking the download button below:
Linux Mint XFCE
Linux mint XFCE is an ubuntu-derived distro. And currently I am also using this distro to write this article.
Linux Mint is one of the most popular distributions after Ubuntu. has quite a lot of community, so if you have a problem with it, you can find a lot of solutions provided.
Linux mint XFCE It’s very light running on my Laptop. To install the package is also very easy.
Also it is easy to run to do programming, graphic design and more.
Are you interested in trying it? Click the following link:
Kubuntu
Kubuntu means KDE Ubuntu. Yea, it is Kubuntu using the KDE Plasma desktop environment and also a derivative of Ubuntu. However, it is also light.
This distro is perfect for those of you who like customization, because this distribution is Kubuntu Best for Tweaking and Customization.
For those of you who are previously familiar with Windows systems, Kubuntu provides a default display that is similar to the Windows OS.
You will likely find it easy to adapt to this Distro. If you are interested in trying it, click the following Kubuntu download button:
Zorin OS LITE
Zorin OS Lite is similar to Windows 7 in appearance. Very simple and very suitable for tube PC display.
ZOrin OS Lite uses a custom XFCE Desktop Environment, so the basic XFCE display is not visible.
Linux is lightweight and I’ve tried it. But, in my opinion, this distro is that the colors are still stiff, so I don’t use this on my laptop.
For those of you who like it, please use it for your daily life. I’ve tried the system and it’s stable.
If you want to download, please click on the following link:
MX Linux KDE
MX Linux has been number one on Ditrowatch for a long time. I tried the KDE version and it’s very light. Even when I tried KDE’s own Distro, KDE Plasma, KDE’s MX Linux version was faster.
However, MX Linux provides another desktop environment. however for me the KDE version of MX Linux is the best.
If you want to try this linux, click the following link:
Elementary OS 5
Elementary OS is currently in development version 7. I tried two previous versions Elementary OS 5 and 6.1. Both went well.
However for version 5, I found the system relatively lighter and easier to use.
On version 6, it’s a bit heavier than what I feel.
I love this Distro which is clean and elegant. This is perfect for those of you who previously used MacOS and switched to linux, ElementaryOS is for you, because it’s similar.
If you want to try this Linux for old PC, click the following link:
Ubuntu Mate
Ubuntu Mate is a lightweight version of Ubuntu. I once installed it on an Intel Celeron netbook and it worked fine.
The advantage of this Mate is that it can provide an option for us to change the appearance of the theme directly in the settings menu.
In general, it looks similar to XFCE, however it uses the Mate Desktop Environment.
You might like the simplicity, you can download it by clicking the following link:
Xbuntu
Xbuntu is Ubuntu using the XFCE desktop environment. DE is already known to be light and stable.
It will probably be similar to Linux Mint XFCE.
For me when comparing Xbuntu and Linux MInt XFCE, my choice fell to Linux Mint because the XFCE base has been beautifully customized.
However, our tastes may differ.
If you want to try it, click the following link:
That’s a list of linux for old pc laptops that I can recommend to you.
If you have tried distro than the list above and feel the advantages, you can share the information with us in the comments below.
We really appreciate your suggestions. I hope this Linux for old PC article is useful.