I'm exploring options for a tablet that has 4 GB of RAM and I'd like a Linux distribution that feels fast and modern. I'm primarily looking at the following options: PopOS, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, and Linux Mint MATE. It's important that the distro is stable and user-friendly, especially for someone new to Linux. I want to ensure it can handle multiple tabs open in Firefox without slowing down too much. Are there any other distributions I should consider? Any personal experiences or recommendations would be really helpful!
5 Answers
You know, the real memory hogs aren't the Linux distros but the apps you run, like Firefox or Chromium. Even lighter desktop environments like LXQt only use about 150-200 MB of RAM, while a few open tabs in Firefox can easily exceed 1 GB! Just something to keep in mind when you're choosing your setup.
I've had great results with Solus running the Gnome desktop on low-spec setups; it seems smoother for me than Fedora!
Check out the distro selection wiki page for more options! Also, testing things out in a VM can help you decide what feels right. And remember, regular backups are a must, especially if you’re experimenting! Just take it slow and make sure you understand any commands before you hit enter.
For touch capability, Gnome is a solid choice. Otherwise, those distros you’re looking at are generally just variations of Ubuntu. If you aren’t set on PopOS, plain Ubuntu might be your best bet.
With lower specs, you’re definitely limited in what you can do without running into slowdowns. Web browsing can be data-intensive. You might want to stick to lighter tasks like text editing or using a basic media player. I once had an old Eee PC that could barely manage simple tasks, but it worked okay for specific uses like secure file wiping. If you’re leaning towards something lightweight, Puppy Linux could be worth a shot! Just be ready to trade off some graphical features for better responsiveness.

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