I'm looking for recommendations for a Linux distribution to install on my sister's old HP ProBook G2. She uses it for med school, general schoolwork, web browsing, and watching Netflix. Right now, it runs Windows 10 Pro but it's been really slow lately, and we can't afford to upgrade it. The laptop has an Intel Core i5-5200 CPU, 4GB RAM, and a 500GB HDD. It would be great if the distro is easy to install, user-friendly for someone familiar with Windows, and capable of handling tasks like writing assignments and making PowerPoint presentations. Additionally, her school has an app that only works on Android and macOS, so compatibility with Android apps would be a plus. Thanks for your help! I apologize for any mistakes in my writing, English isn't my first language.
2 Answers
Honestly, with 4GB RAM, even a more modern distro should work fine. But if you can, consider getting a 120GB SSD - it’ll make her laptop much faster. SSDs are affordable and it'll be worth it. If she enjoys Linux, you can use that big 500GB HDD for backup with a USB-SATA case!
A great way to start is by using a LIVE USB or a virtual machine to test different Linux distros without altering your current system. I recommend looking into Linux Mint or Debian. They're user-friendly and should meet your sister's needs for schoolwork and casual use. You can explore more about Live USBs, it really helps in trying things out easily. Here’s a [link to Ventoy](https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html) for making live USBs. Just boot it up and see what works for you!
What does the RAM have to do with whether a distro is bleeding-edge or not?