I'm considering replacing Windows 11 on my older HP laptop with Linux because Windows feels heavy on its hardware. It has an Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB of RAM, a 128 GB SATA SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 600, and a Realtek RTL8723DE Wi‑Fi adapter.
I'm currently looking at Zorin OS, but I've heard that the RTL8723DE can sometimes be troublesome on Linux. Some users report that Wi‑Fi works at first but stops after a kernel or system update, while others have problems with repeated password prompts.
Before wiping Windows, I'd like to know how dependable this adapter is on current distributions, whether updates commonly break it, and whether Zorin OS is a sensible choice for this hardware. I'd also appreciate recommendations for a lightweight but reasonably attractive desktop environment that will run well with only 4 GB of RAM.
What should I do before installing Linux so I can test the hardware and recover easily if the Wi‑Fi does not work?
5 Answers
Because the SSD is only 128 GB, dual booting may be inconvenient. Make a Windows installation or recovery USB first and keep it available in case you decide to restore Windows. You should also back up your files and download the Linux ISO and any needed firmware before wiping anything.
Don’t assume Linux will automatically improve Wi‑Fi speed, battery life, or every aspect of performance. The main advantage here is choosing a lighter desktop and avoiding unnecessary background load. The live test is the safest way to find out how this particular laptop behaves.
Test it from a live USB before changing the internal drive. If Wi‑Fi works there, the installed system will normally use the same driver. Try connecting, rebooting, suspending, and downloading updates while running the live session so you can catch obvious problems.
With 4 GB of RAM, I’d lean toward Linux Mint XFCE, MX Linux XFCE, Lubuntu LXQt, or Debian with LXQt rather than a heavier desktop. Zorin may work, but it could feel sluggish on an N4020, especially with modern browser tabs. A multi-boot USB made with Ventoy is useful for comparing several options, although live USB performance is slower than an installed system.
The RTL8723DE is supported by the Linux kernel, so it should work on a current distribution. Hardware-specific behavior can still vary between kernels and laptops, though, so I wouldn’t treat a general compatibility claim as a guarantee for every update.
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