I've got an old notebook (from 2014) with really basic specs that I need to make usable for my boss's daughter. It's got 2 GB of RAM, a 20 GB hard drive, and an Intel Atom CPU Z3735F. They originally had Windows 10 on it, which obviously didn't work well due to the low specs, and now they're looking for an alternative. I suggested Linux, but I need a lightweight and easy-to-use distro that can handle basic tasks like web browsing, YouTube, and documents. What would you recommend?
5 Answers
I used to keep some older netbooks running with Antix or MX Linux Fluxbox. With just 2 GB of RAM, it can be slow, but those distros worked for basic tasks when I added an SSD.
For a similar setup, I've had good experiences with Bodhi Linux and MX Linux. They both worked fine on my older hardware. Just make sure you’re clear on whether it's a 32 or 64-bit system when installing!
Keep in mind that without upgrading the RAM or getting an SSD, any distro might still struggle, especially with modern web browsers. But if you're set on using this laptop, replacing the hard drive could help a lot.
You could try Lubuntu or Xubuntu too. They’re pretty lightweight. Puppy Linux and AntiX are also great options to consider. If you want something that’s slightly more polished, go for MX Linux.
You should definitely check out Bodhi Linux 7.0 HWE. Since your CPU is 64-bit, it should run just fine. It's lightweight and user-friendly, perfect for casual use!
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give that a shot.
I'm working on the SSD part but I can't upgrade the RAM just yet.