0

We all have a common issue whereby there is an old PC lying around and we want to revive it using a secure Linux distro (vs. using the un-updated native OS, likely Windows) that is both user-friendly and snappy.

Use case:

I have an old Dell Latitute 131 L (specs here). I am considering dual-boot installing Linux (it already has XP).

Specifications

  • 256 DDR2 RAM
  • 50+ gig free disk space
  • AMD Turion 64 X2 (64-bit dual-core mobile CPU) 1.6 GHz

How do we know which distribution to choose? Are there any risks to picking older versions of a given distribution?

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    If you can afford $10-$20 for another 1-2GB of memory, you won't have to make any compromises on which distro to use.
    – Mark Plotnick
    Jun 2, 2014 at 18:41
  • This is an opinionated Q, please refrain from asking these types of Q's. See the help for more info on appropriate Q's for the site.unix.stackexchange.com/help
    – slm ♦
    Jun 2, 2014 at 18:50
  • @slm I was afraid of that :-) I know opinion-based questions are very frowned upon in SO but I figured I would chance it.
    – David Brossard
    Jun 2, 2014 at 18:51
  • 1
    Yeah I would try and reform the Q, perhaps there's a way to appease the rules and get your Q asked in some form.
    – slm ♦
    Jun 2, 2014 at 18:52
  • I just did that. Actually what would be great is some Linux wiki with a matrix of hardware requirements to Linux distro possibility...
    – David Brossard
    Jun 2, 2014 at 19:58

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

For simplicity & easy install, you could use Linux Mint or Ubuntu; and just install a simpler (LXDE) Desktop Environment. This will speed up the 'snappiness' of the GUI, while sticking with a modern (and theoretically more secure) distro.

As always, performance largely depends on what you want to use it for. The above recommendation of a RAM upgrade is definitely the best single, reasonably priced addition to speed things up quite a bit.

Improve this answer
1

Two good, lightweight Ubuntu-based distos are Lubuntu and Xubuntu. You should look into those. If you are feeling adventurous you can try Arch Linux. Arch gives you a bare minimum environment, so you will have to build your own system from the ground up. This requires a little more knowledge, but ArchWiki has a good guide to get you started.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks. I've tried Xubuntu in the past and didn't like the UI. I will look into Xubuntu. I'm doing this for a friend who is not tech savvy so I take it Arch Linux is off the table. Thanks again.
    – David Brossard
    Jun 2, 2014 at 18:50

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.