I just got my dad's old ThinkPad T430, and I'm planning to replace the HDD since it's clicking and isn't picked up by the BIOS. I also want to swap out the RAM. After that, I'm interested in running a lightweight Linux distribution, but I have no prior experience with Linux. Can anyone suggest where I should start?
3 Answers
Could you share the specs of your ThinkPad? It would help in giving more tailored suggestions.
Since you're new to Linux, check out DistroWatch. It tracks various Linux distributions, helping you compare them. You can also find a list of beginner-friendly distros there. Just download a few that catch your eye, create a bootable USB with tools like Rufus or Ventoy, and try them out!
For beginners, I'd recommend trying out Ubuntu or Linux Mint. These distros are user-friendly and great for getting accustomed to Linux. Once you get the hang of them, you can experiment with other options if you want!

Sure! Here are the specs I found: CPU: Intel Core i5-2520M, Memory: 4GB DDR3L 1600MHz (planning to replace it).