I've got several old desktops that I've collected over time, and I want to focus on the older ones, like those Pentium 4 machines that used Windows XP. I'm looking for a lightweight operating system that can run smoothly on these older setups, ideally open-source and Linux-based. It would be great if the OS had an easy graphical installer and a search bar for finding apps easily. Also, I'm planning to sell some of these machines after I sort them out. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
For those really old machines, I recommend Debian GNU/Linux. It has good support for older hardware and can handle a variety of desktop environments. Just be aware that you might want to choose an older release depending on your specific hardware needs.
Have you tried Puppy Linux? It's pretty lightweight and designed for older hardware. But I get it if it's a bit tricky to install since it can be confusing for beginners.
If you're looking for something user-friendly, Mint with the XFCE desktop is a solid choice! It's light on resources and easy to navigate for new users.
You could go with antiX. It’s really light and works well on older machines. Definitely worth a shot!
Yeah, Puppy Linux can be a bit of a challenge when you're just starting out!