I've completely moved to using cloud-based IDEs, which means I really only need a lightweight operating system that can run a browser smoothly on my low-spec PC. Can anyone recommend some Linux distributions that would help me maximize performance for browsing?
7 Answers
Porteus is another option. It’s very light and designed for performance on older hardware. Plus, it runs from a USB or disk pretty quickly!
Honestly, it depends on your definition of a 'potato' PC. If it's really low-end, any modern distro may struggle with current web pages due to resource demands, especially JavaScript. Focus more on optimizing your current setup than just the distro!
You might want to try ChromeOS Flex. It's specifically designed to run on lower-end hardware and focuses on browser functionality, making it a solid choice for your needs.
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Have you considered using Arch with Openbox? It's super lightweight and customizable, plus it should give you a decent performance boost for browser use.
That sounds fun! I might try it out on my old ThinkPad!
Debian might be an option, but I've found it tends to be a bit slow for low-spec setups. You might want to look at lighter alternatives instead!
True, Debian can lag a bit. Better to stick with something tailored for speed.
Pretty straightforward: ChromeOS is a great choice if you want something really simple. It’s optimized for web usage and should work like a charm.
It's great for what you want, but make sure it fits all your needs.