I'm already fairly comfortable with Linux because I currently use Pop!_OS, but I'd like to replace Windows 11 on another machine. Windows feels extremely resource-heavy, especially since this computer originally had only 4 GB of RAM, though it now has 12 GB. The system has an Intel Celeron processor and a 128 GB SSD. My main hesitation is that one important Windows program still doesn't have a suitable Linux replacement. Should I choose a lightweight distribution, keep Windows for that application, or run Windows in a virtual machine?
4 Answers
If the application you need is essential and there’s no reliable Linux replacement, staying with Windows—or keeping a Windows installation available—is probably the practical choice. A different distribution won’t solve software compatibility by itself.
Linux Mint would be a strong choice for this hardware, especially the Xfce edition if you want to keep memory and CPU usage down. It’s familiar, stable, and generally easy to maintain. Debian is another good option, while Linux Mint Debian Edition is a middle ground if you want Debian underneath without giving up Mint’s convenience.
You could install Mint as the main system and run the required Windows software in a virtual machine. Before wiping the machine, make a complete image backup of the existing Windows installation so you can restore it as a VM if needed. This works well for ordinary applications, although demanding 3D programs, specialized hardware, and some professional software may perform poorly or require extra configuration.
Distributions based on Universal Blue, such as Aurora, are another possibility if you prefer an image-based system with low maintenance. That said, with only a 128 GB SSD and a Celeron processor, Mint Xfce or a lightweight Debian setup may be the simpler and less demanding choice.
I’ve tried quite a few distributions and usually end up returning to Mint. It tends to be a comfortable transition from Windows without requiring much tinkering.