I have an older PC with the following specs: Intel i3 2100, 8GB of RAM, and a GT 1030 graphics card. It currently runs Kernel OS 10, which is highly optimized and boots quickly, but it's incompatible with some software. I've tried switching to Linux Mint and Debian, but both take over a minute to boot and can run slower than my current setup. I was hoping to find a lightweight Linux distribution that boots faster and runs well on older hardware. Any suggestions? Should I stick with my current OS or is there a well-optimized alternative?
4 Answers
Zorin OS could be a good fit since it's optimized for speed. Just keep in mind most Ubuntu-based distros will have similar performance due to their underlying structure. An SSD will boost all of them regardless.
Replacing your HDD with an SSD could make a huge difference to performance. Even adding more RAM can help if you're able. With your current setup, Linux Mint should be decent, but I recommend trying a lightweight interface like XFCE or something like MX Linux for better speed.
You mentioned Linux Mint was slow, which is expected on an older hard drive. Try a distro that's optimized for low resource use, like Lubuntu or MX Linux.
I've had good luck with KDE Neon on similar hardware, and its boot time is pretty impressive. Just remember, an SSD will make a significant difference in boot time. You can also look into lighter options like AntiX if you're up for something different.
KDE Neon can be tricky with updates, so make sure you’re okay with that if you decide to try it.
If you're looking for something lightweight, Bodhi Linux is a great option. It’s user-friendly and runs smoothly even on minimal specs, needing less than 2 GB RAM. You can run most apps in the browser, too!
Yeah, Zorin is just a polished version of Ubuntu, but it's worth a try if you’re looking for something more intuitive.