I'm looking for advice on the best Linux distribution for my old Dell Inspiron laptop. It previously ran Arch but I unfortunately switched back to Windows 10 temporarily to burn a CD for an anniversary gift, which turned out to be a hassle since the CD didn't even get played. Now, the laptop is really struggling with Windows, even on IoT. I want to make the most out of it since I can't afford a new one. I'm not planning to game on it, just doing some general tasks and using programs like Visual Studio Code and Figma. I've been considering CachyOS but I'm not sure if there are faster or better options out there, and I'm also curious about whether old Nvidia drivers will work since I had trouble getting my GeForce 920M to function on Arch, even with the legacy drivers. I tried Ubuntu before but it just gave me a white screen during installation. Here are the specs: i3-5005U, 6GB RAM, GeForce 920M. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
5 Answers
For older hardware like yours, I recommend checking out Linux Mint. It's user-friendly yet customizable, making it great for general use. I personally use it on multiple devices, and it runs smoothly even on older specs. You might want to try the MATE or Xfce versions since they're lighter. Also, finding Linux-compatible drivers shouldn't be too difficult. Just make sure to check which version suits your needs best!
You might want to dig into your NVIDIA driver issues more. There's a package called `nvidia-525xx-dkms` from the AUR which could help with your GeForce 920M. Make sure you've installed the correct legacy driver package. Have you tried that with your Arch install?
Honestly, that laptop isn’t that old—it's from around 2015! You might be surprised at how well it can handle lightweight Linux distros. Just keep in mind to choose ones that align with your expectations for speed and UI.
What about trying Kubuntu? It’s based on Ubuntu but with a more traditional desktop feel that might fit better with your preferences. Plus, it should run decently on your hardware.
It may surprise you, but Arch is actually pretty flexible with older hardware. If you're comfortable tinkering a bit, it could be worth revisiting!
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