I'm looking for a Linux distro to install on an old Surface laptop that a family member uses just for light browsing and watching videos. It has 4GB of RAM and has slowed down quite a bit. He doesn't want to learn how to use Linux; he just wants a simple, user-friendly experience. I have experience with Ubuntu and Arch, but I'm wondering which distro would be the easiest for him, especially one that works well with a touchscreen. Recommendations for desktop environments would also be appreciated!
5 Answers
I'd recommend trying out Mint with the XFCE desktop. It’s lightweight and runs smoothly on older hardware—perfect for that Surface laptop!
XFCE is great! It might feel more stripped down, but it's customizable and can look very much like Windows with a bit of tweaking.
You might also consider Ubuntu. It's beginner-friendly and has a massive community for support. Given the specs, maybe try a minimal install to save resources. Just a heads-up about the touchscreen though; you may need to install the Linux-Surface kernel for full functionality.
Good point! I had to set that up for my Surface Pro too. It made a big difference in usability.
Yeah, touchscreen support can be a bit tricky with Linux, but once sorted, it's very effective!
If your friend has a bit of Windows experience, Zorin OS might be a good fit! It looks modern and has an easy learning curve for new users.
For really old hardware, I recommend Lubuntu. It has a very straightforward GUI and doesn’t use a lot of resources, making it a great fit for that old laptop.
Lubuntu is clean and minimal, which is perfect for someone who just wants to browse and watch videos! No extra fluff.
Exactly! Plus, there’s less chance of accidentally breaking something with a simplistic interface.
Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is an awesome choice! It has a Windows-like feel to it, which makes it super familiar for new users.
Totally agree! I helped my grandma set up Linux Mint on her HP and she loves it for using Facebook and looking up crochet patterns.
Cinnamon really is one of the best options for new users. It's simple and intuitive but still powerful.
I've helped several family members use Mint with XFCE, and they had no issues. It's user-friendly and doesn't require much from the system.