Linux on old pcs

The Best Linux Distributions for Old Machines

Do you have an old laptop that has gathered layers of dust over time and you don’t exactly what to do with it? A good place to start would be to install a Linux distribution that will perfectly support its low-end hardware specifications without much of a hassle. You could still enjoy performing basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and watching videos, listening to your favourite music to mention a few.

In this guide, we feature some of the best Linux distributions that you can install on your old PC and breathe some life into it.

1. Puppy Linux

Originally created in 2003, Puppy Linux is a distribution that belongs to a family of lightweight Linux distros. It’s incredibly small – has a memory footprint of just 300MB – with a focus on ease of use and installation. In fact, you can boot it off a USB drive, SD card, and any installation medium.

Puppy Linux

Puppy comes in various editions and is available for download in both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures and even ARM which makes it easy to install in Raspberry Pi devices. It’s ideal for obsolete PCs which lack modern specifications to run contemporary Linux distributions which often place heavy demands on memory and CPU utilization.

Puppy Linux Requirements

Puppy Linux requires the following minimum requirements for installation:

• 300 MB of RAM
• Pentium 900 MHz
• Hard drive (Optional as it can run quite well on any USB drive).

2. Tiny Core

If you thought Puppy Linux has the smallest memory footprint, wait until you bump into Tiny core. Developed by Core project, Tiny Core is a 16 MB Linux desktop. Yes, you read it right, 16MB! If I’m not wrong, it’s probably the smallest and most lightweight distro there is at the time of writing this article.

Tiny Core Linux

Tiny core runs entirely on memory, uses the FLWM windows manager, and boots up quite fast. It’s, however, not your average desktop as it comes completely stripped down and only ships with the core required to bring up a minimal X desktop. Additionally, not all hardware is supported. However, you will get enough tools to compile almost everything you need as well as having complete control over which software to install.

Tiny Core Linux Requirements

Given its small footprint, the following requirements will suffice:

• 64 MB of RAM (128 Mb is recommended).
• i486DX CPU (Pentium 2 CPU and later recommended).

3. Linux Lite

Linux Lite is yet another popular and lightweight distro that you can use to bring your old PC to life. It’s a desktop Linux distro based on Debian & Ubuntu and ships with a simple and easy-to-use XFCE desktop environment.

Linux Lite

Since it’s based on Ubuntu, you can enjoy installing software packages from the package-rich and diverse Ubuntu repository. Linux Lite is ideal for newbies transitioning from Windows to Linux as it gives them just what they need to get started out. Part of the software applications that come included with Linux Lite includes: LibreOffice, GIMP, VLC media player, Firefox browser, and Thunderbird email client.

If you are looking into jump-starting your old laptop, Linux Lite comes off as s pretty ideal distribution to start with.

Linux Lite Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 700 MHz processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• At least 8 GB of hard disk space
• USB port / DVD ROM for installation
• Monitor resolution 1024 X 768

4. AntiX Linux

AntiX is a fast and lightweight Linux distribution based on Debian stable. It uses the icewm window manager that is easy on the underlying PC resources and allows you to run it on low-end hardware.

AntiX Linux

It runs considerably fast on low-end and old PCs but is quite stripped down and ships with few applications given its small footprint of about 730MB.

AntiX Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 256MB of RAM
• 5 GB of hard disk space
• Pentium 2

5. Sparky Linux

Also based on Debian, Sparky Linux is a full-featured and lightweight Linux operating system that packs a minimal GUI with Openbox windows manager that ships with preinstalled basic software that works out of the box.

Sparky Linux

Sparky comes in 3 editions for performing different tasks.

• GameOver: Comes with the Xfce desktop environment and is ideal for games.
• Multimedia: Ideal for audio and video support. Also ships with Xfce.
• Rescue: This is primarily used for fixing a broken system and comes with a minimal installation without any X server.

Sparky is very versatile and supports over 20 desktop environments and window managers giving you the freedom and flexibility you need to customize your desktop. It’s easy to install and use and comes with its own repository of applications, plugins, and multi-media codecs that you can install to suit your taste and functionality.

Sparky Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• i686 (32bit) or amd64 (64bit) Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon CPU.
• 128 MB of RAM for CLI edition, 256 MB for LXDE & LXQt, and 512MB for Xfce.
• 2GB of a hard disk drive for CLI edition, 10GB for home edition, and 20GB for Gameover & Multimedia edition.

6. Peppermint OS

Peppermint is a fast and stable Linux desktop OS with a focus on cloud and web application management. The latest release, Peppermint 10 Respin, is based on an LTS codebase.

Peppermint Linux

It ships with an ultra-smooth Nemo file manager that provides an easy way of navigating between different file locations. It’s based off Ubuntu and by default ships with an LXDE desktop environment for easy and smooth user experience.

Peppermint Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 1 GB of RAM
• X86 Intel-based processor
• At least 5GB of hard disk space

7. Trisquel Mini

Trisquel Mini is another lightweight and stable Linux distro that is based on Ubuntu. Just like PepperMint OS, it ships with the resource-friendly LXDE environment and a lightweight X windows system instead of the heavy and resource-intensive GNOME environment.

Trisquel Mini

It was built for old and low-end PC and netbooks. Additionally, you can run it as a Live CD for testing purposes. It’s available for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Trisquel Mini Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 128 MB of RAM (for 32-bit versions) and 256 MB (for 64-bit versions).
• 5GB of hard disk space.
• Intel Pentium 2 and AMD K6 processors.

8. Bodhi Linux

Bodhi Linux is a lightweight distribution whose philosophy is to provide a minimal base system that gives users the freedom and flexibility they need to install their preferred software packages. It’s based on Ubuntu and comes with the Moksha Windows manager.

Bodhi Linux

By default, it ships with only the essential software to get you started such as a web browser, file browser, and terminal emulator. The latest release is Bodhi Linux 5.1.0 release on March 2020.

Bodhi Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 256 MB of RAM (512 recommended).
• 500 MHz Intel processor (1.0GHz recommended)
• 10 GB of hard disk space

9. LXLE

LXLE is a simple and elegant lightweight Linux distribution that you can use to revive your old PC. It’s a fully-featured OS and comes with an optimized LXDE desktop environment which is light on system resources.

LXLE Linux

LXLE is based on Ubuntu, and as you would expect, it ships with pre-installed applications such as a web browser, GIMP, LibreOffice suite, and OPenShot to mention a few. Additionally, you get added PPAs to extend software availability and stunning wallpapers to give your desktop a dash of colour. LXLE is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

LXLE Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 512 MB of RAM
• Pentium 2 Processor
• 20 GB of hard disk space

10. MX Linux

MX Linux is a midweight Linux distribution that combines stability, high-performance, simplicity, and elegance to give you a reliable OS that works out of the box with pre-installed applications such as VLC media player, Firefox web browser, LibreOffice suite, and Thunderbird to mention a few.

MX Linux

It’s built on Debian 10 Buster and ships with an Xfce desktop environment that is low on resource usage. Like many of the lightweight edition, it’s available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

MX Linux Requirements

Minimum installation requirements:

• 512 MB of RAM memory
• A modern i486 Intel or AMD processor
• 5 GB free hard drive space

11. SliTaz

SliTaz is an independent Linux distribution which is designed to run on any computer with no less than 256MB of RAM, SliTaz ISO file is very small in size (43MB Only!), it uses its own package manager “tazpkg” to manage software, there are 3500 installable packages in SliTaz, it comes with the Openbox window manager beside LXpanel which makes it very fast on the old PCs.

SliTaz Linux

12. Lubuntu

One of the most famous Linux distributions in the world, suited for Old PCs and based on Ubuntu and officially supported by Ubuntu Community. Lubuntu uses the LXDE interface by default for its GUI, besides some other tweaks for RAM and CPU usage which makes it a good choice for old PCs and notebooks as well.

Lubuntu Linux

Special Mentions

The list of the lightweight Linux distributions is quite long and we cannot fully exhaust all the distros in greater depth in this guide. However, we’d like to acknowledge other distributions that fall into this category of lightweight and resource-friendly Linux distros ideal for old systems and these include:

Do you know of any that we might have left out? Do let us know in the comment section.

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Best Lightweight Linux Distributions For Older Computers

Last updated September 14, 2021 By Ankush Das 384 Comments

Brief: Don’t throw your old computer just yet. Use a lightweight Linux distro and revive that decades-old system.

What do you do with your old computers? The one which once had good a hardware configuration but now potentially outdated.

Why not revive your old computer with Linux? I am going to list the best lightweight Linux distributions that you can use on old computers.

Some of the distributions mentioned here are also a part of the best Linux distributions for beginners. So, you might want to check that if you’re new to the Linux universe.

While our focus is on older computers, you can also use most of these lightweight Linux distros on relatively new hardware. This will give you a better performance if you use your computer for resource-heavy usage such as video editing on Linux.

Let’s see which lightweight Linux distribution you can use.

Best Lightweight Linux distros for old laptops and desktops

Note: The list is in no particular order of ranking, take a look at the minimum system requirements to choose one for yourself.

16. Q4OS

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Q4OS is a Debian-based distribution which aims to provide a fast experience while also offering a 32-bit option. In fact, it is one of the best options for 32-bit systems. It features the Trinity Desktop for 32-bit edition and the KDE Plasma desktop on 64-bit image.

It may not offer the best looking user interface, but it is simple and it is indeed screaming fast on older hardware. You can easily try this on your old computer to test it out.

Minimum Requirements for Q4OS:

• RAM: 128 MB (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GB (Plasma Desktop)
• CPU: 300 MHz (Trinity Desktop) / 1 GHz (Plasma Desktop)
• Storage Space: 5 GB (Plasma Desktop) / 3 GB (Trinity Desktop)

15. Slax

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Slax is a really portable lightweight Linux distro based on Debian which you can use it on a USB drive without installing it.

The ISO file size is just under 300 MB – which makes it a great option for older computers. The user interface is simple and usable with essential pre-built packages for an average user. You can even try to customize the OS and make permanent changes on the fly if you require it.

Minimum system requirements for Slax:

• RAM: 128 MB (offline usage) / 512 MB (for web browser usage)
• CPU: i686 or newer

14. Ubuntu MATE

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Ubuntu MATE is an impressive lightweight Linux distro that runs fast enough on older computers. It features the MATE desktop – so the user interface might seem a little different at first but it’s easy to use as well.

In addition to the desktop support, you can also try it on a Raspberry Pi or Jetson Nano.

Minimum system requirements for Ubuntu MATE:

• RAM: 1 GB
• CPU: Pentium M 1.0 GHz
• Disk Space: 9 GB
• Display Resolution: 1024 x 768

13. Zorin OS Lite

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. It offers a lite edition for older computers that features the Xfce desktop environment.

If you have a decent system (not too old), you can also try the regular Zorin OS to see if it fits your purpose.

Minimum system requirements for Zorin OS Lite:

• RAM: 512 MB
• CPU: 700 MHz Single Core
• Disk Space: 8 GB
• Display: 640 × 480 resolution

12. Xubuntu

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Xubuntu is one of the official flavors of Ubuntu that features the lightweight Xfce desktop.

You will find it easy to use and can also install it on your older computers with no issues. Head to their official website to download the ISO (32-bit/64-bit) you need and get started.

Minimum system requirements for Xubuntu:

• RAM: 512 MB (1 GB recommended)
• Processor: Pentium Pro or AMD Athlon

11. Linux Mint Xfce

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

If you have a decent hardware configuration (refer to the minimum requirements below), Linux Mint Xfce edition will be a great option to have.

While being an Ubuntu-based distro, it also features the Xfce desktop which makes it good enough for some old computers. Considering that Linux Mint as one of the best Linux distros, you can also try other editions (like Cinnamon) available.

Minimum system requirements for Linux Mint Xfce:

• 1GB RAM (2GB recommended).
• 15GB of disk space (20GB recommended).
• 1024×768 resolution

10. Peppermint

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

Peppermint is a cloud-focused Linux distribution that doesn’t need high-end hardware. It is based on Ubuntu and uses LXDE desktop environment to give you a smoother experience.

Originally created with the web-centric approach of netbooks in mind, Peppermint includes the ICE application for integrating any website or web app as a standalone desktop app.

You’ll find the documentation helpful as well. A dedicated forum also exists to help troubleshooting issues and answering your questions.

Minimum system requirements for Peppermint OS:

• RAM: 1 GB of RAM (recommended 2 GB)
• CPU: Processor based on Intel x86 architecture
• Disk space: At least 4 GB of available disk space

You can get more information about Peppermint on its official website.

9. Lubuntu

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)

Next on our list of best lightweight Linux distributions is Lubuntu. As the name suggests, a member of the Ubuntu family but it utilizes either LXDE/LXQT desktop environment. From Ubuntu 18.10 and above, you will find LXQT as the default desktop environment and could find LXDE as the default in its previous releases.

Lubuntu supports older computers that have been buried (Just kidding! You can also use Lubuntu on modern hardware). Lubuntu is one of the lightest derivatives of Ubuntu so it specializes in speed and the support for older hardware.

Lubuntu has fewer packages pre-installed consisting mostly of lightweight Linux applications.

Software and repositories are the same so you will get all the software that you were using on Ubuntu from their repositories. However, I’d suggest to always prefer to select an application that doesn’t consume a lot of system resources.

Minimum hardware requirements for Lubuntu:

• RAM: 1 GB of RAM
• CPU: Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 or higher

8. Linux Lite

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)

As the name suggests Linux Lite is a lightweight Linux distro that does not need high-end hardware to run it. Even a beginner will be able to use it on older computers easily. Linux Lite is based on Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) releases.

Even though it’s a lightweight distro – it comes baked with some essential tools.

For instance, you may find Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird for emails, Dropbox for Cloud storage, VLC Media Player for Music, LibreOffice for office, Gimp for image editing and Lite tweaks to tweak your desktop. (this can change depending what version you’re using).

Considering that it is based on Ubuntu, you’ll have plenty of support and resources available online as you can follow the Ubuntu tutorials.

Minimum hardware requirements for Linux Lite:

• RAM: 768 MB RAM (recommended 1 GB)
• CPU: 1Ghz processor
• Display: VGA screen 1024×768 resolution (recommended VGA, DVI or HDMI screen 1366×768)
• Disk space: At least 8 GB free disk space

7. LXLE

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

LXLE is actually a respin of the Lubuntu LTS version. Now that Lubuntu ships with LXQT by default, LXLE is a great option for users who want to use the LXDE desktop environment.

Despite being lightweight Linux distro, LXLE tries to provide an intuitive UI and eye candies. The system is tweaked to improve performance and comes with a wide range of lightweight applications installed by default.

Minimum hardware requirements for LXLE:

• RAM: 512 MB (recommended 1 GB)
• CPU: Pentium 3 (recommended Pentium 4)
• Disk space: 8 GB

6. CrunchBang++

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)

CrunchBang++ is also known as CBPP or #!++ or CrunchBang Plus Plus. Crunchbang++ is the clone of Crunchbang Linux which has been discontinued.

CrunchBang++ supports old computers and runs without any issue. CrunchBang++ is based on Debian 10 with the minimal design interface.

Some of the default applications in Crunchbang++ at the time of writing this were Geany IDE, Terminator terminal emulator, Thunar File Manager, Gimp for image editing, Viewnior image viewer, VLC Media Player for music, Xfburn CD/DVD burning software, and so on.

It may not be the best one around for every user- but you can give it a try and see it yourself.

Minimum hardware requirements for CrunchBang++:

• RAM: 1 GB of RAM
• CPU: Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 or higher

5. Bodhi Linux

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)

Yet another light Linux distribution – Bodhi Linux, that gives life to older PCs & Laptops. Bodhi Linux is quite known for its minimal approach and the support for low-end hardware.

It doesn’t feature a lot of things pre-installed – hence, you will notice that the ISO file size will be less than 1 GB.

The presence of Moksh Desktop makes Bodhi Linux is a decent choice for older hardware configurations while providing a good user experience.

Minimum hardware requirements for Bodhi Linux:

• RAM: 256 MB of RAM
• CPU: 1.0 GHz
• Disk space: 5 GB of drive space

4. antiX Linux

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes

antiX is a lightweight Linux distribution based on Debian Linux. If you are looking for something that does not include systemd, this is a great option.

antiX also uses icewm window manager to keep the system running on low-end hardware. It doesn’t have much pre-installed software so the ISO file size is around 700 MB. You can always download and install more software later if you have access to an active internet connection.

Minimum hardware requirements for antiX Linux:

• RAM: 256 MB of RAM
• CPU: PIII systems
• Disk space: 5 GB of drive space

3. SparkyLinux

SparkyLinux is another lightweight distro but at the same time, it also targets modern computers.

Depending on what you need – you will find two variants of SparkyLinux. One based on Debian’s stable release and the other based on Debian’s testing branch. So, you can opt for anyone you see fit.

In addition to the variants, you will also find different editions of ISO to download. For instance, an LXQT desktop-based edition, a GameOver edition with pre-installed stuff, and so on.

You can head down to their download page and click on “Stable” or “(Semi-)Rolling” releases to find all the editions listed.

Minimum hardware requirements for SparkyLinux:

• RAM: 512 MB
• CPU: Pentium 4, or AMD Athlon
• Disk space: 2 GB (CLI Edition), 10 GB (Home Edition), 20 GB (GameOver Edition)

2. Puppy Linux

Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)

Puppy Linux can be booted live with either a CD/DVD/USB.

Puppy Linux uses JWM and Openbox window managers by default which makes it very easy on system resources.

Because Puppy Linux is built to be fast, it does not come along with bundles of applications. It does have some basic apps, though. In other words, it can get your work done if you want to utilize a really old computer.

Minimum hardware requirements for Puppy Linux:

• RAM: 256 MB
• CPU: 600 Hz Processor

1. Tiny Core

Probably, technically, the most lightweight distro there is. However, it isn’t a complete Linux distribution for an average desktop user.

Tiny Core simply incorporates the fundamental core of an OS which includes the kernel and the root filesystem. In other words, it features the foundation of a desktop OS.

If you simply want a system to boot up coupled with a wired Internet connection, you can get started using it. But, you should not expect proper hardware support out of the box.

So, if you’re someone who knows how to set up or compile tools necessary with Tiny Core Linux to make it a complete desktop experience, you can give it a try.

Minimum hardware requirements for Tiny Core Linux:

• RAM: 64 MB (128 MB recommended)
• CPU: i486DX

Also, if you’re curious about similar tiny/smallest Linux distros for your old hardware, here are some suggestions to take a look at:

Conclusion

Most of the Linux distros should be easy to install on older computers without any hassle. If you’re inclined for a good user experience, easy to use UI, and stability, there’s a lot of options in our list.

Don’t forget to tell me about your favorite Linux distributions in the comment below.

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