steven36 Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 Do you have an old laptop that is running slow? Are you searching for a lightweight operating system for your netbook? Here is a free list of lightweight OS system that can operate without using much of PC hardware resources. You can bring an old laptop back to life with these lightweight OS. Once you replace Windows or Mac from an old slow laptop with a lightweight Linux distro, you can revive these laptops to a new life, and those can fly. You can enjoy a bunch of open-source Linux games on these revived PCs as a bonus. Since these Linux OSs are community-based open source, sometimes these OS Dev teams will drop support and leave users in the dark. We updated the list of Best Lightweight OS in 2018 for Netbooks, Laptops, and Desktops based on the new Linux distro in the community. Editor’s Note: We recommend you to download and setup a bootable USB with the operating system you choose to test with your hardware. That will help you to make sure that all the hardware drivers are available for the operating system before you try this OS on your local hard disk. If you don’t want to spend money and looking for a free OS, please see Top 7 Free Operating Systems for your Laptop/Netbook that can try on your PC. 1. Lubuntu Those who want a super lightweight OS here is the first one on the list Lubuntu. Lubuntu is fast, lightweight Operating System, based on Linux and Ubuntu. Those who have low RAM and old generation CPU, this OS for you. Lubuntu core is based on the most popular user-friendly Linux distribution Ubuntu. For best performance, Lubuntu uses minimal desktop LXDE, and the apps are lightweight in nature. Lubuntu is coming in three different installation package, where desktop package for regular users those have more than 700MB RAM and 64-bit or 32-bit choices. The Minimal installation can use for very low resource system, and you require only 64 MB of RAM to run, however, 128 MB of RAM is considered the minimal requirement. Key Features: RAM: 512MB (128MB min) | CPU: Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: LXDE, Openbox | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Lubuntu 2. Linux Lite Another lightweight distro from Linux family, Linux Lite. Those who are looking for a lightweight OS that takes low resources to run and the rest of the resource can dedicate to gaming; this Linux Lite is the ideal source for your needs. Linux Lite can run fast with less resource and CPU power which can free up for your heavy load games. Linux Lite also based on Ubuntu LTS releases, which offer longtime support, five years for each release. The Linux Lite Distro is coming as plug and play and ready to workout from the box. The Linux Lite Distro is coming as plug and play and ready to workout from the box. Linux Lite pack is coming with LibreOffice for your Office document needs, firebox to browse internet and Thunderbird email client as built-in install with the package. Linux Lite bundle, one of the best media player, VLC Media Player, has broad support for most of the video codecs. Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | CPU: 1.5GHz (700MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: XFCE | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Linux Lite 3. Puppy Linux As the name suggests this is an ultra-portable Linux distribution that you can carry with a 2GB USD drive or DVD. This ultra lightweight OS can boot from CD or USB and live on your computer RAM. There is no system hard disk required to run this light OS. This Linux is the first aid for your data and laptop. When your system gets corrupted or hard drive lost, you can directly boot the PC from Puppy Linux USB. You can access the PC hard disk and retrieve the data from the hard drive, once you were done, shut off and take back the USB to carry with you. This portable Linux distro is coming with a size under 100 MB (core OS size) and boots less than a minute on an older system. Puppy Linux is a newbie-friendly UI based OS, that includes a broad range of applications like Office apps web browser, games, etc. that can detect most of the hardware without any additional drivers. Key Features: RAM: 256MB (64MB min) | CPU: 333MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: JWM-2.3.2 | Download Puppy Linux 4. Damn Small Linux Damn Small Linux is a very versatile 50MB mini desktop oriented Lightweight Linux distribution. DSL has a nearly complete desktop and a small core of command line tools. All applications have been chosen for the best balance of functionality, size, and speed. Damn Small can act as an SSH/FTP/HTTPS server right off of a live CD. DSL can boot from a business card CD as a live Linux distribution or a USB pen drive. It can run fully in RAM with as little as 128MB and light enough to power a 486DX with 16MB of Ram. Key Features: RAM: 256MB (64MB min) | CPU: i486/AMD Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Fluxbox, JWM | Download Damn Small Linux 5. Xubuntu Those who want a plug and play operating system for your old laptop that can run with a minimum resource, then try Xubuntu. Xubuntu is built with Xfce desktop environment and on Ubuntu hardware drivers and support that let you run most of your gadgets as plug and play with this lightweight OS. For a basic user with a low-end computer, Xubuntu coming with a pre-built package to run everything that you required. You have a web browser to go online, email client, office application and the media app to handle your videos and photos. For advanced users who want to enjoy more flavor of open source Linux apps, they can visit get the package repositories from Ubuntu Software Center. Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Xfce | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Xubuntu 6. Debian + PIXEL The new lightweight OS from Raspberry Pi Foundation that to give new life to your old PC. This lightweight OS can run on x86-based MAC and Windows machines. PIXEL is a clean, modern user interface, packed with a bunch of programming tools and productivity software. This lightweight OS is pre-installed Chromium web-browser with useful plugins, including Adobe Flash and instant access to thousands of free applications. The new software enables you to install a Raspberry Pi like OS on your computer. It boots from a DVD, USB Thumb drive or inside a virtual environment. Key Features: RAM: 512MB min | CPU: i386 Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Download Debian + PIXEL 7. Bhodi Linux Bhodi is an another Linux release built on Ubuntu, that updated well and maintained. At the time we update this article, April 10, 2017, Bhodi Linux released 4.1 version on Jan 2017. This Linux distro has three different ISO images to make sure that can install on latest desktop configuration and also your old desktop and laptops that a decade older. Bhodi is coming with dedicated desktop called Moksha. The concept of this Linux Distro, you have the freedom to choose the apps you need. No pre-installed apps are coming with this Linux flavor. However, this package is coming with ePad text editor, File Manager, Image Viewer terminal emulator, web browser and system updater. The Legacy-Non-PAE Kernel utilizes the older 3.2 Linux kernel. This 3.2 Linux kernel is optimized for up to 15+ years old hardware, to make sure this distribution can run with very low resources, that can revive your computer even if it is a decade old. Those who have an issue with a latest Linux distribution to work on their old laptop or desktop that does not support the PAE kernel extension, then this Bhodi Legacy ISO is the best bet for your laptop. Key Features: RAM: 512MB (128MB min) | CPU: 1GHz (500MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Moksha | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Bhodi Linux 8. Peppermint Linux Peppermint, like Bhodi Linux, is a lightweight OS coming as a core Linux OS without much junk or pre-packed apps. This lightweight Linux Distro version 7 built on Ubuntu 16.04 and Long-Term Support (LTS) code base. The peppermint desktop environment is Lightweight X Desktop Environment (LXDE). Peppermints have built-in web application management tool called Ice that let you make sure to get the same experience while you deal with the web application. Literally, you feel the web application and menus are just like your local app menus. Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | CPU: Intel x86 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: LXDE | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Peppermint Linux 9. Arch Linux Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686/x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution versatile enough to suit any role. Development focuses on simplicity, minimalism, and code elegance. This lightweight Linux OS is installed as a minimal base system, configured by the user upon which their ideal environment is assembled by installing only what is required or desired for their unique purposes. GUI configuration utilities are not officially provided, and most system configurations are performed from the shell and a text editor. Based on a rolling-release model, Arch strives to stay bleeding edge, and typically offers the latest stable versions of most software. Key Features: RAM: 128MB min (256 MB RAM) | CPU: i686-based or x86-64 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Fork: Linux | Download Arch Linux 10. Slax Slax is a Live operating system based on Linux runs from an external media without any need for permanent installation. The entire Slax operating system resides in a single directory/Slax/ on your device, making it easier to organize with your other data. Slax is available for 32bit and 64bit processor architectures. The 32bit version is designed to run on old computers (as old as Intel 486; that dates back to 1989). This lightweight operating system will run properly on brand new computers too. However, this OS is limited of RAM it can see 3GB of RAM. The 64bit Slax version has no such limits, but will not run on computers older than a few years. If you plan to use Slax on a very old computer, or you seek for a system with maximum possible compatibility, then choose 32bit. If your intention is to use Slax on a brand new machine, you’ll better go for 64bit. Key Features: RAM: 256MB (48MB Min) | CPU: i486/AMD | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: KDE | Fork: Slackware | Download Slax 11. NimbleX NimbleX is a small but versatile lightweight OS which can boot from CD, flash memory (USB pens or Mp3 players) and even from the network. Because it runs entirely from a CD, USB or network, this portable OS doesn’t require installation. With NimbleX you can browse the web with Firefox, chat with your friends using the Kopete multi-protocol IM application, download torrents with Transmission, use DC++, connect remotely to other computers and much more. Key Features: RAM: 256MB (128MB Min) | CPU: Pentium II | 32-bit & 64-bit | Download NimbleX 12. ZorinOS Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for newcomers to Linux. It’s based on Ubuntu Linux so that you can rely on it for rock-solid performance, dependability, and support. Zorin OS features our unique look changer program that we have created exclusively for Zorin OS. Zorin allows users to change the user interface at the touch of a button. Other unique programs include Background Plus, Web Browser Manager and more. It allows you to use Zorin OS along with your current operating system and run Microsoft Windows programs in Zorin OS with the help of WINE and PlayOnLinux. Key Features: RAM: 1.5GB (512MB Min) | CPU: 1.5GHz (700MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Fork: Ubuntu | Download ZorinOS 13. GeeXboX GeeXboX is a free lightweight, and Open Source Media-Center purposed Linux distribution for embedded devices and desktop computers. As you know, GeeXboX is not an application, it’s a full-featured OS. Geexbox can boot from a LiveCD, a USB key or from an SD/MMC card or even you can install on a regular HDD. This Media Center based OS provides you a ready-to-be-used, plug-and-play Media Center application that can play any multimedia content. Geexbox has been designed to be fully controllable through either keyboard, mouse or a remote controller and does not require any particular computer-related skills. This Linux laptop OS features the state of the art technologies as to provide you with the best multimedia experience to take the most out of your hardware. Key Features: RAM: 64MB Min | CPU: 400MHz Min | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: NA | Fork: NA | Download GeeXBoX 14. Remix OS The perfect solution for those who want to make an Android PC. Whether it is desktop or laptop, you can run this Android-based OS from USB or direct from PC hard disk. Remix OS is a collaborative version of Android xX86 and launched in 2012 and the latest version is powered by Android Marshmallow. Instead of installing Remix OS direct on PC, you can boot from USB, there is an “exe” file available to convert USB that can load Remix OS later. We are talking about the lightweight OS here, and I can’t say this is a super lightweight OS compared to other Linux Distro we listed here. But Remix OS is to make break the wall between your Android Smartphone and Personal Desktop. Remix OS is not limiting you from doing the PC activities, you can still browse the web, office applications, prepare presentations, Taskbar, File manager, etc. With Remix OS, you can enjoy all the Android Apps and wonderful games on your Desktop or Laptop PC. Key Features: RAM: 2GB | CPU: 2GHz Dual Core | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Android-as-Desktop | Fork: Android | Download Remix OS 15. Phoenix OS For Android Lovers, PhoenixOS is an another Android Build OS for Desktop Computers. The x86 version can be download for PC and run just like Linux or Windows OS. Just like your Android Phone OS, the PhoenixOS provides the desktop menu where you can get the settings, system information, power settings, etc. Once you install Phoenix OS on your desktop, your desktop mouse will work as a regular Windows mouse, you can drag and drop files, do file compression, and you have a chromium core based browser to use the internet. PhoenixOS will bring you the Android experience and features on the desktop, like notification center, App messages, etc. Since Phoenix belongs to Android ecosystem, you can enjoy thousand so f Android games and apps on your PC with this Android Built OS. Key Features: RAM: NA | CPU: Intel x86 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Android-as-Desktop | Fork: Android | Download Phoenix OS Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YURY67 Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 What modern operating system will you recommend to put on an ancient computer with the characteristics: AMD Athlon [tm] XP 2000+ 1.66 GHz 512MB RAM video 64MB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debebee Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 Peppermint Linux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atasas Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 mUST fIND tIME! Really would love having a go few of them, although research done already sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BimBamSmash Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 It is all good and appreciated - especially for experienced users and geeks. But the bigger problem is not aging hardware, but learning curves and software limitations. Basics tasks can all be handled with any smartphones these days - enough a reason for people to stay away from headaches of trudging into a different computer playground. Work-oriented tasks usually require some proprietary software - and unless they are cloud-based, Linux ain't gonna cut it. So why bother? Enlighten me if I missed something, though. On a different note, one thing that always frustrates me with respect to Linux is how regularly I see it targeting people with old hardware. I always see the word Linux next to terms like "aging hardware" and "slow hardware", etc. Hey, if I didn't know any better I'd start thinking Linux is made not just for computer nerds, but also for old hardware. Add the constant reminder of how software on Linux is all free and an average guy might think it is targeting the poor as well. At least that's the sort of vibe I always get from the community. Come on people, it shouldn't be like this. I am not going to go through the psychological aspects of the above-mentioned approach. Let's look at a simpler fact. Those who are reluctant to buy new hardware are not necessarily under financial problems, people. They may simply don't care about tech. Is there even a slight chance to for this mentality to even bother to learn an all new ecosystem of computing? I see no reason to try and win these people over. Why can't Linux win folks who are happy to pay for state of the art hardware - and are therefore more likely to adjust to changes? To me, that is because none of the stuff they care about can be installed and launched "just as easy" as they can on other platforms. Some might not even install. These are the people who should/and probably will jump ship if they get what they need. These are the people Linux should go for. The problem they are facing is the area that needs to be fixed. Resurrecting old hardware... come on people... :-/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killbit Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 On 6/19/2018 at 4:07 AM, BimBamSmash said: Resurrecting old hardware... come on people... There's nothing wrong with trying to resurrect old hardware as a hobby or a boredom killer. If the machine is still functional, one might as well try to get some use out of it, especially if it's too old to scrap for parts. You could give it to a kid to mess around with or use it to test out some Linux distros without going to the trouble of dual booting or being limited by a live CD/DVD. However, if you're trying to turn a 50 MHz Pentium from 1993 into a production machine by installing Linux, that's just psychotic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archanus Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Very nice post It's time to use the old-hardware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Thanks for your work! It was very useful for me to install on my old laptop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I think the only issue is going to be find the drivers for these OS, since is an old hardware's PC. On 6/19/2018 at 4:07 AM, BimBamSmash said: But the bigger problem is not aging hardware, but learning curves and software limitations. Specially fibd the hardware's drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazycanuk Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Thank you post removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BimBamSmash Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 On 6/23/2018 at 2:42 AM, killbit said: There's nothing wrong with trying to resurrect old hardware as a hobby or a boredom killer. If the machine is still functional, one might as well try to get some use out of it, especially if it's too old to scrap for parts. You could give it to a kid to mess around with or use it to test out some Linux distros without going to the trouble of dual booting or being limited by a live CD/DVD. Absolutely. I was not trying to the downplay the benefits. The point I was hoping to make was to encourage Linux community to try and identify and address factors that keep people on newer machines from coming on board and thus win that user base over in time. For a start, and possibly the biggest starting deterrent, is that the vast majority of topics I see on inviting people to install Linux these days seem to target those with old hardware. I argued that those who do use old hardware at this time and date may be the kind who care little to none about technology. And that little bit they use computers for will likely be all about specialty/proprietary software which I doubt can work on the Linux platform. I do agree that using dated hardware for test drives and education purposes can be good practice (though a bit of hassle at the time when Virtual Machines are so readily available) but what is the percentage of computer nerds from the total user base in the wild? How many average PC users keep dated hardware and bother to use it for this goal? Are we not bringing up these Linux topics to bring more users on board? People on the newer hardware should be the ones we win over. But it doesn't help when all they see next to the term "Linux" in discussions is "old hardware", or extensive references to app incompatibility, lengthy headache inducing installing procedures or endless complex-looking commands at the terminal each time a Linux problem pops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halvgris Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 half of these won't work with newer hardware since they lack drivers for wifi etc. of course a techie will be able to resolve it but a "n00b" reading this article won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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