Which Linux Distro Should I Try for Better Performance?

It's important to monitor your system resources. You can use the command 'top' in the terminal to check what's consuming your memory and CPU. Sometimes, the issue might not be with the distro itself but in how resources are being used.

Switching your desktop environment might help a lot. You could try out Xfce instead of the default Cinnamon. It's easy to install via the apt package manager, and once you log out, you can select Xfce from the login screen. Just keep in mind that while it may help, it won't solve all your performance issues completely.

Absolutely agree with trying Xfce! Another thing you might want to consider is using zram to get some extra performance. But really, the main culprit for slowdowns is usually the browser tabs consuming your RAM. Just be mindful of how many tabs you run; it can make a big difference.

If your laptop has an old HDD, consider upgrading to an SSD. This change can significantly enhance the performance of any distro, and it'll likely feel much snappier regardless of which you choose.

I recommend looking into lighter distros like Lubuntu or Zorin OS. If you're up for a challenge, Arch can be a great option—it's a lean system but requires more setup. Puppy Linux is another lesser-known option that might suit you.