Linux distributions for netbooks. Linux for weak computers: tips for choosing a system and installation Small Linux for weak computers
Hello friends. Fewer and fewer users today remain on Windows XP. According to the statistical service Statcounter, this is only 1.4% of people on the entire planet. WinXP has not been supported by Microsoft for a long time; an increasing number of third-party software developers are bypassing it, which is to say that this version of the system is becoming obsolete. But what to do if you have a very old PC or a very weak laptop that can creakingly run Vista or Seven? If the issue of upgrading a device is not considered due to the unjustified investment, if some Linux distribution is not considered as an operating system, perhaps an industrial build of Windows 7 Embedded will help. In this article we will talk about it.
Windows Embedded 7 system requirements:
Processor with a frequency of at least 1 GHz
RAM: 512 MB
Disk space: 8 GB
Windows Embedded Family
Windows Embedded is a family of operating systems for ATMs, terminals, other self-service systems, medical equipment, and various production equipment. This is a separate family of industrial operating systems from desktop NT. They are based on desktop versions of Windows, but they have a redesigned system kernel and reduced functionality. The first version of Windows Embedded family appeared in 1996 based on Win95. Later it became based on WinXP, Vista, 7, 8.1. There is even a build based on the server Windows Server 2008. In the Win10 version, Embedded was replaced by the name IoT, and the operating system itself began to come with expanded device support.
What is Windows Embedded 7
Like the NT desktop family, each version of the Embedded family has its own editions for a specific consumer segment. For Windows Embedded 7 this is:
- POSReady is a system optimized for operation at terminals and self-service points of the population;
- Compact is a system that supports ARM, MIPS, SuperH processors, and 32-bit microprocessors. Intended for weak multimedia devices, industrial automation, and other low-power equipment. Its redesigned core requires less than 1 MB of RAM to function. It was this edition that at one time formed the basis of Windows Phone;
- Standard – analogue of the NT edition “Professional”;
- Enterprise is an analogue of the NT “Corporate” edition.
The last two editions can be used on more or less productive devices such as: slot machines, powerful media equipment, commercial and medical equipment, video surveillance systems, etc. And, of course, the Standard and Enterprise editions are an option for secret installation on low-power user computers. Although the matter of secrecy is a controversial issue. Officially, Windows Embedded is a system for commercial structures, and it seems that it cannot be used on user devices. But at one time, Microsoft distributed official Embedded 7 activation keys on preferential terms (as part of the DreamSpark program) to university students. Those. not to commercial structures, but to ordinary individuals. It turns out that the company itself circumvented its ban.
Windows Embedded 7 looks like a regular "Seven". This system has almost the same functionality as its desktop editions - control panel, explorer, Internet Explorer browser, Windows Media Player, command line, disk management, local group policy editor, registry editor and other system utilities. Even externally, it is the familiar “Seven” with the Aero Glass effect and pre-installed design themes. Well, except that Windows Embedded 7 has a different logo and picture on the welcome screen.
What are its differences from regular Win7?
Some system components and drivers have been removed from Embedded, and some services that are not needed when the operating system is running on the stated devices have been disabled. As a result, immediately after installation, a 64-bit system weighs a little more than 6 GB, and a 32-bit system weighs just 4.3 GB.
Will the lack of remote functionality somehow affect the performance of the system when used on home computers? If we select the optimal build of Embedded 7, we will get a fully functional operating system with support for the network, printers, faxes, and other peripheral devices, with support for the .NET Framework, DirectX and other software environments. And most importantly - with the ability to install third-party software. This means that if the system itself does not detect some computer hardware or some of the connected peripherals, we can fix everything by manually installing drivers. Or automatic using special programs.
In "Seven" Embedded there is no ability to add system components through the control panel (Programs - Turn Windows components on and off). But if necessary and zealously desired, they can still be added using Dism.
Total: thanks to the reduction, Windows Embedded 7 consumes less system resources than the usual “Seven”, works more quickly and, accordingly, can give low-power computer devices a second chance at life. Of course, this is not a full-fledged Win7, and difficulties may arise when using some of its features. But this is a stable environment for office, media tasks, and web surfing. These are the main capabilities of the operating system, the use of which is rarely exceeded by owners of top-end PCs and laptops, using them for everyday or gaming purposes. In any case, Embedded is an official stripped-down build of Windows, the result of the work of Microsoft specialists, and not experimental builders, often supporters of crude “castration” of the system.
How to download Windows Embedded 7
Officially, Embedded, along with OEM activation keys, is sold through Microsoft-authorized distributors. And only commercial structures can purchase it. Where can ordinary people get Windows Embedded 7? You can download it in the same place as regular modified Windows builds - on torrent trackers. In the case of Embedded, the risk of becoming a victim of immature experiments by would-be system distribution builders is much lower than in the case of regular desktop versions. Firstly, not many people build Embedded builds. Secondly, usually something is added to industrial assemblies, rather than cut out, since everything is already cut out.
But there is also an official way to obtain the Windows Embedded 7 distribution in the Standard edition. This is a pure distribution, without third-party interference. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft website using this link:
If you need a 32-bit edition of the operating system, check the box for all parts of the archive with the name “Standard 7 SP1 32bit IBW” and click “Next”.
If you need a 64-bit edition, check the files with the name “Standard 7 SP1 64bit IBW” and an additional note as part of the archive. Click “Next”.
After downloading, launch the first part of the archive and wait until the ISO image is extracted. From this image, in fact, Embedded 7 is installed. Its process differs from the installation process of regular Win7, let’s look at it.
How to install Windows Embedded 7
If you guys are using a modified build of Embedded 7, the installation process will naturally be great. The official distribution of this system allows us to select the optimal build configuration and add our own drivers.
"Seven" Embedded from the official distribution comes with a trial monthly license. It can be extended for another three months by resetting the activation at the end of each monthly period. And this way we will be able to use the system for free for 120 days. And then you can also change the activation key and use a special 180-day trial period for the system. A total of 300 calendar days. But we will examine these nuances in other articles on the site. Well, now let's proceed directly to the installation.
We boot the computer from the installation media. And in the first window, click “Build an Image”. Click “Next”.
We accept the license agreement. Click “Next”.
Select the build configuration. For use on user devices, the best option is “Application Compatibility”, i.e. assembly compatible with third-party software. Click “Next”.
Next, we choose a Russian location for time and money. The Russian-language keyboard layout will work itself out. It is impossible to select Russian as the system language without first integrating it into the distribution; it is not provided by default. But it can be easily installed in an already working environment. So we will solve this issue later. Click “Next”.
At this stage, friends, Windows Embedded 7 may be subject to modification. In the window we see which components are supplied in the distribution. Below, using the “Modify Drivers” mode, if necessary, we can add drivers for some devices. If they are not critical for running Windows, there is absolutely no need for this; everything, again, can be done later, inside the already installed system. The “Modify Features” mode is an opportunity to adjust Windows components, remove something, add something. But there is no particular need to adjust anything; the assembly is already configured for optimal use of components. Click “Next”.
After copying the files and rebooting, we will see the usual window for setting the username.
We are warned that after the 30-day trial period the operating system will behave shamelessly - it will reboot without permission every 20 minutes without saving our data. Click “Next”.
And then we will see the usual final installation steps - selecting the type of update delivery, regional settings, network type. We will be greeted with a standard desktop with branded Win7 wallpaper. But there are still some things that need to be configured.
Enabling the swap file
"Seven" Embedded in the official distribution comes with the swap file disabled. Before working with other system settings, friends, I suggest turning it on so that the system does not distract us with annoying notifications about a lack of RAM. Press the Win+Pause keys. Click “Advanced system setting”. In the “Performance” column, click “Setting”.
Switch to the “Advanced” tab. We see that the paging file has a size of 0 MB. Let's change this. Click “Change”.
Directly in the window for setting paging file parameters, check the “Custom size” box, and in the “Initial size” and “Maximum size” lines enter a value equal to the RAM on the device (but not less than 2048 MB). Click “Set” and click “OK”.
Reboot the computer.
Russification of Windows Embedded 7
To Russify the system, download its special language pack. For 32-bit systems it is downloaded from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26215
And for 64-bit from here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26216
Click “Download”.
These groups have been waging an almost equal struggle for market monopolization for a long time, and this struggle is expected for a long time - it is difficult to single out a favorite in it. Let's try to figure out which product is of the highest quality.
Windows
At the moment, there are three current versions of the OS of this corporation - 7, 8, 10. Windows XP has already gone out of fashion - now it is installed mainly on old computers. The newest version is Windows 10, but not the most popular version from the company. Windows 7 is firmly in the ranking of the most used systems: 52% of personal computers in the world are serviced by it.
Windows operating systems are optimized and work stable on most computers, with XP and 7 being the most preferred on older versions. Windows is not the most secure product, so if you use Windows OS, you need to take care of installing licensed security software.
Many users compare operating systems based on their interface. Windows is not inferior to its competitors - a large selection of themes for data visualization, window animation and translucency create a pleasant contrast. Newer versions of Windows have retained elements of the very first systems from this manufacturer, which attracts the user.
One of the key advantages is the ability to install programs to perform a wide variety of tasks. This applies to office programs and gaming applications, as well as other applied areas.
Linux
Here, manufacturers decided to release many versions that have a special purpose. Ubuntu is the most widely recognized Linux product. It has become popular with Linux because it is the most optimal for home use.
The Linux product is unique in that you can change everything in the system settings in such a way that the system will be completely rebuilt taking into account the PC parameters. This fact ensures the highest performance, and in this component Linux is the undisputed leader among OS manufacturers. Linux also has the advantage of high reliability and security, since distribution kits provide many mechanisms for restricting access to user information.
As for the appearance, it can be customized in any way. Linux has many variations for choosing an interface - from simple and strict to complex and colorful, with a large number of effects. One of the most important details for Linux is that in order to manage it effectively, the user must learn to work on the command line.
Many professional programming applications are written on the Linux kernel. But as for the choice of applications for performing applied tasks, everything here is not as rich as that of competitors.
MacOS
MacOS desktop The “OS” itself occurred along with the appearance of the first products from Apple, and accordingly, it is used on these devices. Currently, the latest version of MacOS is version 10.
MacOS are oriented to a certain hardware standard, so their performance is the highest among all available operating systems. It is worth noting that the high performance of MacOS systems is a distinctive feature - all products from this manufacturer are characterized by very stable and productive operation. MacOS systems are very reliable, the total number of virus programs on this platform is not very large, and there is no need to worry about installing additional security software.
Most users believe that MacOS is the most convenient and attractive operating system, judging by the user interface. The manufacturer pays a lot of attention to this component, and it is not surprising that they are superior to their competitors in this component. Developers use a huge range of technologies that are aimed at harmonizing and improving the appearance of controls. Interestingly, the company regularly requires developers of third-party software to use a design style that is as similar as possible to the standard Mac application style, so that users work in the new program in the same way as in the familiar one.
DOS
FreeDOS desktop There are few users left who remember these operating system developers. It must be remembered that they became innovators in the field of OS development, inventing the entire operation of the operating system. Yes, competitors have moved on, improving all the developments of DOS, but the developers of the first OS have now begun to come up with innovations for previous developments. Since the beginning of the 2000s, DOS has released a couple of OS emulators for PCs, but they were not recognized by users due to low performance and the lack of most of the necessary characteristics for modern OSs.
However, DOS remains necessary for many users. DOS software is the best option for those users who want to use old computers with new applications. To do this, the developers launched FreeDOS and DJGPP, which included several programs that are popular today - a file manager, text editor, web browser, email client, etc. In other words, DOS products are still suitable for running on older PCs.
Safety and reliability
In general, Windows, Linux and MacOS are competing for the title of the best OS group - DOS has already stopped competing with more modern developments. In terms of reliability and safety, the most optimal are Linux and Apple products. The best Linux distribution for this component is Ubuntu. Experts believe that systems with a Linux kernel are preferably used as a keeper of particularly important information, since the protection against unauthorized access to information stored in the system is very strong. By the way, users themselves need to be very careful when assigning passwords and long paths to their necessary files - otherwise they may lose them.
Unlike Linux and MacOS distributions, Windows clearly loses in reliability and security. The Windows product still remains with the title of the most unreliable operating system. Third-party security software is released regularly, but system protection is at the lowest level, and if you value the security of your information, you should not choose Windows as the OS for your PC. As for MacOS, security here is also at the highest level.
The most gaming system
As mentioned above, in terms of the number of programs in different directions, Windows leads, and in the gaming component this developer is the undoubted leader. Quite a lot of gaming applications are also produced for Linux, since these “operating systems” are also quite popular in the world, for example, everyone’s favorite Steam can be found here. But in the end, in the total volume of gaming applications, Windows will outperform both Linux and MacOS combined. The system itself has good enough characteristics for the smooth and error-free operation of gaming applications on any computer, but, however, this rarely happens.
If you look at Windows distributions, then users are very cautious about calling Windows 7 the most preferable for games, despite the fact that three new versions of the system have already been released! Of course, the “seven” is a proven system, and therefore it is given greater preference by users. But this won’t last long - within a year and a half the whole world will be talking about the fact that the eighth and tenth versions of Windows are much better than the seventh in terms of gaming.
The simplest OS
If we take into account all the operating systems available in the world and choose the simplest one, the absolute champion here will be DOS systems. But if we talk specifically about the three giants of OS release at the present time, then Windows will again be ahead of everyone in simplicity. Simplicity can be different - banality of development, ease of use, etc. We are more interested in which systems are more convenient for users to work with. And most of them believe that Windows is the simplest operating system, starting from its very first versions.
Indeed, Windows is the simplest system to use, but very complex to develop. MacOS ranks second in ease of use, as noted by experts. Linux is the most complex system, but once you get used to it, you will never go back to, for example, the Windows family.
For weak PCs
Of course, here you should give preference to DOS! However, DOS is quite difficult to find now, therefore, Linux distributions with a lightweight desktop environment (LXDE, OpenBox, MATE, Xfce) are most suitable for weak PCs.
The most optimal distribution for use on weak PCs from the Microsoft family will be Windows XP. In fact, this OS is quite good in that it has good performance and an attractive interface. It is quite simple and quite suitable so that even on a weak PC you can play your favorite classic games.
The downside is that XP is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and by installing this system, you risk picking up a lot of viruses and Trojans.
This means that if you actively use the Internet, without additional security software, your PC will not be able to work for a long time. So, think carefully about choosing an operating system before installing it on your weak PC.
Availability of software installation
Once again, Windows is the undisputed leader here! After all, the products from this developer were the very first to appear on the market, and therefore they are sold instantly. Nowadays, only the lazy do not develop programs and applications for Windows, which means that the software will always be available for these operating systems. But it is important to remember: due to the low degree of security of the Windows OS, you must be extremely careful when installing software on your computer. Of course, you need to use licensed software, and if you don’t have one, then know: you are taking a risk by installing unwanted programs on your PC with a low level of protection.
Which system to choose in the end?
Recently, system developers have done a great job of improving OS versions. Of course, MacOS will have a minimal market share and popularity, since it is a relatively new product. In terms of characteristics, it is not inferior to Windows and Linux. If this product continues to be in great demand, MacOS could soon become a sales leader.
Linux is an excellent system for office PCs and for computers that are used for programming and administration. They have high performance, are extremely safe and reliable to use, but they are too narrow-profile, so these “OSes” are not widely used.
Windows is the clear winner in almost all respects among its competitors, and the popularity of the product is understandable. For modern computers, Windows will be the optimal OS; everyone chooses the version themselves. It depends on the user which OS to install - if the computer is needed for work, it is better to install Linux, if for games - Windows. It is necessary to determine all the parameters that you want to get more from the OS - and in this case you will be able to make the right and informed choice!
According to Roskomstat, Windows has 84% popularity among Russian personal computer users. Linux is ahead of MacOS by 3% - 9% versus 6%. The situation will change if there are serious reasons for attractiveness among users, and system developers are continuously working in this area.
Now I want to talk to you about the topic: .
For what purposes may you need to read this article? First of all, of course, the information presented below will be useful to beginners who have an old computer at their disposal, but do not know what to do with it. This is what I will tell you now. Professionals are unlikely to learn anything interesting for themselves, but what if?
Are old and weak computers the same thing?
So you got an old one computer. Maybe they just bought it, or maybe they just gave it to you as a gift or gave it away for a symbolic amount - it doesn’t matter. Now let’s define what we mean by the word “old”.
It may not necessarily be a very ancient IBM-486 with four megabytes of RAM and a gigabyte hard drive on board. By old we can mean hardware from, say, the generation before last, say, which is based on a Pentium 4 processor and DDR1 RAM.
In our review we will go downward - from more or less modern computers to ancient models. And along the way, I’ll tell you what you can do with them, what you can install on it, or even where to put your old computer.
Computers and operating systems – what to choose and install?
So, a computer with a Pentium 4 processor and 512 megabytes-gigabytes of RAM. You can install quite a few operating systems on it– from Windows XP to Linux and the exotic BSD product line. Although you won’t be able to load particularly heavy applications onto such a computer, such a machine is quite suitable as a functional typewriter and a testing ground for office games. It would be even better suited as a small home server - although you will have to install larger hard drives on it. Linux and BSD products are just suitable for the server. I won’t say which specific product from the lines to choose and install, there are too many different nuances and other things.
If you have an even older computer, and it can’t handle Windows XP, then we can give some advice here too. Install Windows 98 on it for small office work and laying out the Klondike - playing Minesweeper, such a computer is quite suitable. It may also be suitable for a home server, but again, an infusion of cash is needed.
If the computer is very old, then install Windows 3.1 or Windows 3.11 on it. If you have any prejudice against this shell operating system, install DOS or Linux running from the command line and a file manager, and be happy.
The only question is: is such a computer needed at all? In my opinion - only for primitive games and for teaching basic and non-basic command line functions.
Operating systems for older computers
The most common operating system in the world is not just one OS, but a whole line of them - Windows from Microsoft Corporation and Bill Gates personally. This is a fact, and you can’t argue against it. Although rich Bill is often scolded and his mother is remembered, the vast majority of desktop (that is, desktop) computers still have one or another version of Windows installed.
Linux and BSD systems, although they have some advantages that soft ones do not have(in particular, this is the freeness of the product and its distribution along with the source codes), but they occupy, overwhelmingly, the server niche. This is also a fact.
P.S. Which operating system to install on your old computer is of course up to you, dear reader, but still be prudent and check the system and hardware requirements. For example, there is no need to install, say, Windows 7 on the Pentium 2. You will suffer yourself, and there will be no sense in all this.
We probably all have old devices, laptops or computers that simply cannot work properly with a modern operating system, be it Windows or Linux. But such devices can still be used usefully. There are Linux distributions that are specifically designed to consume minimal RAM and CPU resources.
In this article, we will look at the best Linux distributions for your old laptop or computer that you can use on your devices. This is not a ranking, just a list, and all items are worthy of your attention. Today there will be no long introductions, let's move straight to the review.
Lubuntu is one of the best distributions for older laptops. It is based on Ubuntu, but is quite lightweight and stable. LXDE is used as a desktop environment, it can work even with the lowest hardware specifications.
All the necessary programs are supplied with the system, but there are much fewer of them than in the regular version of Ubuntu, which makes the distribution even lighter and smaller. For normal operation, Lubuntu requires a Pentium II or Celeron processor with support for PAE technology. The minimum amount of RAM: 128 MB, and hard disk space - 2 GB.
2. Puppy Linux
This is one of the lightest distributions. It is small, but quite powerful and can be used both on new computers and on fairly old hardware. Fresh images take up about 300 megabytes, and contain only the OS kernel and a small set of the most necessary programs, such as a browser, player, etc.
Interestingly, Puppy boots and runs from RAM, so programs start very quickly. After installation on USB, you can install additional programs, and all of them will also work from RAM. Puppy Linux uses JVM or OpenBox as its default window manager, which makes it even faster. Minimum requirements: 500 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM and 512 MB disk space.
3. Tiny Core
You've probably already heard about Tiny Core. This is the smallest Linux distribution. Even modern text editors are larger than this full GUI distribution. The image size is only 16 MB. You can install it even on the most ancient machine.
The system comes with only the most necessary programs, but this does not mean that you cannot install other programs that you need. Tiny Core currently comes in three versions - Core, TinyCore and CorePlus. The first is 11 MB in size and contains only the console interface, the second is 16 MB, has a FLTK/FLWM graphical interface, and the third is 116 MB, and is an installation image with utilities for configuring the system.
4. Bodhi Linux
Bodhi Linux is another Linux distribution for an old laptop, based on Ubuntu. It is fast enough and not overloaded with applications. It comes with only the most necessary programs, such as a file manager, Internet browser, text editor, terminal. But you can install everything you need via apt.
Enlightenment is used as the desktop environment. It consumes little memory and has a very beautiful and simple interface. Minimum requirements: 500 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM and 4 GB disk space.
5. Peppermint OS
Peppermint is based on Lubuntu, which can already be considered a Linux distribution for low-end laptops. This also uses the LXDE desktop environment. But a more interesting set of programs has been implemented. The distribution does not contain the usual cloud applications, but there are links to Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, etc. Applications open in the pre-installed Chromium browser.
However, you can install all the programs you need through a package manager. The minimum amount of RAM for the distribution to work is 192 MB, which is 62 MB more than other options.
6. Macpup
If Puppy Linux looks too simple and ugly for you, you can try Macpup Linux. It is based on Puppy Linux, so it has all the advantages of Puppy Linux, including running from RAM.
But the system looks more beautiful, Enlightenment is used as the desktop environment, there are transparency effects, an animated dock panel at the bottom of the screen, and much more. Everything you need is supplied with the system, including text processing programs. The distribution requires 164 MB of RAM to operate.
7. BunsenLabs Linux
This is another lightweight distribution that can run on older hardware. It is based on Debian and you can run the system if you have at least 256 MB of RAM. Openbox is used as a window manager, which has been specially modified to reduce resource consumption.
8. MX Linux
The latest version of MX Linux is based on Debian 8.2. This is a very fast distribution that can be used on both new and older devices. LXDE is used as a desktop environment, and the distribution also includes programs such as the Whisker menu and the Qupzilla browser.
9. Porteus
This is a Slackware-based distribution, primarily intended for installation on removable media, but can also be used on a hard drive. All Porteus data is in a compressed state, and the file system is created on the fly. All additional programs are supplied in the form of modules.
The desktop environment can be XFCE or LXQt. To run the graphical environment, 144 MB of RAM is enough.
10. Slitaz
Slitaz can start and work normally on a system with 256 MB of RAM. It uses the Openbox window manager, as well as several proprietary tools such as TazPanel. With TazPanel you can install programs, change system settings, bootloader and much more.
The distribution has several editions, the simplest of which can run on 20 MB of RAM, but only in the console interface. All necessary programs are supplied with the system.
conclusions
In this article, we looked at the best Linux distributions for weak laptops. From this list you can definitely choose what is right for you. What lightweight distributions would you recommend? Write in the comments!
A couple of years ago, Linus Torvalds decided not to stop supporting 1995-era EISA-based platforms. He stated that it was not broken and did not have any negative impact on the rest of the kernel. But while the kernel can afford to support legacy hardware as long as it has at least one user, distributions and individual projects cannot afford this luxury.
In order to efficiently use their limited resources, distributions dropped support for 32-bit platforms throughout 2017.
The popular Linux distribution Elementary OS does not have a 32-bit version at all. Newer projects, like Solus, don’t even think about releasing a 32-bit version. It's the same story with niche projects like the privacy-focused Tails Linux. Even popular projects like Arch and Ubuntu have stopped releasing installation ISOs for 32-bit computers. Which is not at all surprising, since computers based on this architecture disappeared from the shelves back in the days when Gordon Brown occupied 10 Downing Street.
The major Linux distributions are designed to satisfy a wide range of users, and those users tend to have modern hardware. As a result, distributions end up being too bloated for older machines. Without a significant amount of system memory and an additional kernel or two, these distributions will not be able to provide optimal performance on your old desktop.
But, fortunately, you can find a use for your old computers. It's no surprise that many open source developers are diligently looking for ways to make use of legacy hardware. In fact, the emergence of feature-heavy, resource-hungry programs has spurred efforts to reinvigorate underperforming workhorses.
Here we look at a number of the best distributions, built from the ground up to efficiently consume scarce resources on older hardware. We'll also look at the individual components that make up the distribution and help you clean them up and trim them down for the sake of performance. Lightweight programs and distributions will help you wisely manage the resources of your PC and instantly bring them back to life.
The Lightest and Fastest Linux Distributions
Which distributions are suitable for recently working computers?
Thanks to the explosion in demand for netbooks, many people own machines that are already ten years old and which, despite their mobile nature, are chained to a desk as a network access device (NAS) or file server. Atom-based computers symbolize an entire generation that fell out of fashion simply because it could not keep up with the rapidly growing demands of today's popular computer technologies.
Lightweight Linux Lite distribution
One of the best distributions for netbooks is Linux Lite. It is based on Ubuntu Long Term Support (LTS) releases and uses the Xfce desktop with aesthetic modifications.
The distribution offers a good compromise between speed and functionality and all the useful desktop features while remaining fast and responsive. All you need is 512 MB of RAM and a 700 MHz processor and at least 5 GB of disk space.
The Linux Lite desktop is very neat; he borrowed the Whisker menu from Xfce. The developers have customized the desktop, and the context menu includes options for creating shortcuts, launching the task manager and taking screenshots. At first glance, Linux Lite resembles an ordinary powerful distribution. The list of pre-installed programs does not contain traditional lightweight applications: it contains the usual suspects such as GIMP, Firefox, VLC and LibreOffice. On top of this, it is easy to install other popular programs such as Chromium, Kodi, Skype, Steam, Spotify, etc. using the customized Lite Software application.
Lightweight Linux Lite distribution
The distribution offers many programs of its own making. There's a welcome screen that lets you install updates and drivers and set up a restore point from a backup; program for updating to the latest release; and one more for user management. Lite Tweaks is very useful and helps users with common administration tasks. It can be used to free up memory, remove the old kernel and install a new one. It also includes some tweaks to improve performance - such as installing and enabling zRAM and Preload.
Linux Lite also serves as an excellent distribution for those new to Linux. The distribution comes with an interactive help guide that guides beginners through all aspects of using Linux.
Lightweight Pixel OS distribution
At the end of 2016, Pixel OS for Raspberry Pi burst onto the desktop scene. Its goal was to provide users with an introduction to the newly released Pixel desktop on their regular x86 computers. Raspbian for Pi was recently (not really) updated to the Debian 9 (Stretch) base, and we have to assume that the same update will eventually appear for Raspbian x86.
A positive side effect of using the Debian base is that on the Pi the software repositories are limited to packages compiled for ARM chips, but on the desktop you have access to a much wider range of programs. The Pixel desktop has very modest requirements, making the distribution ideal for reviving older PCs.
The boot menu also offers the option to install the distribution to your hard drive using the Debian installer. It is easy to use and has good documentation. Navigation is also very easy, especially if you want to take up the entire drive. In terms of software, this updated release is very similar to its Raspberry Pi cousin. Thanks to collaboration with Adobe and the Scratch team, Scratch 2.0 is now available as an offline application and included in the distribution.
Lightweight Pixel OS distribution Another highlight of the latest release is the inclusion of a new IDE for Python. After extensively studying the available options, the developers settled on Thonny: it is user-friendly and at the same time offers high-level functions such as code step-by-step execution and variable inspection.
In addition to Scratch and Thonny, there are programming environments for Java, Sonic Pi and the Sense HAT emulator. For everyday desktop use, the Chromium browser with Flash support, the Clows email client, and the LibreOffice suite are available. In addition, you can arrange your installation through the package manager PiPackages.
Android-x86: mobile operating system for desktop PCs
This is a classic case of getting what you deserve. The OS that powers tablets and that gave netbooks their power is helping them get back into shape. The Android-x86 project began as a series of patches to the underlying open source Android so it could run on netbooks like the ASUS Eee PC, and has grown into a fully functional distribution that brings low-powered computers back into business.
The Android-x86 project recently released the third stable build based on Android Marshmallow. The distribution is available both as a Live ISO, which fits on a CD, with the ability to install, and as an RPM. You can copy (dd) the hybrid ISO to a USB stick and boot from it. The boot menu gives the option to boot into the Live Android environment or install the distribution to disk. First you need to boot into the Live environment to check if it recognizes your PC hardware. On our seventh anniversary Acer Aspire 5738PZG, it found all the peripherals, including Bluetooth functions, wireless card, camera, ATI graphics card and even the laptop's touch screen.
Installing Android-x86 can be a challenge because its rudimentary CLI installer uses the text-based disk partitioning tool cfdiskRM. Instead, you can use RPMs (converted to Deb using the alien utility) to install Android-x86 inside the root directory of your Linux distribution. It's extremely convenient that the binary packages also add boot points to your existing Grub boot loader.
Out of the box, Android-x86 is very similar to regular Android. You can also find additional apps on Google Play, but those that work in Portrait mode can be difficult to use on a regular PC. Also, unlike real Android for smartphone/tablet, the distribution does not launch a virtual keyboard at any hint of text input: instead, you must use your computer's keyboard. But multi-tasking has been simplified, since you can use the Alt+Tab key combination to switch between applications.
Navigation using a mouse or touchpad works great, and any external device can be accessed through the file manager.
Fast cloud distribution of Peppermint OS
If you've given up on offline programs and are satisfied with the online options currently available, then Peppermint OS is a great, fast alternative to ChromeOS. The current stable version is based on the Ubuntu 16.04 LTS release, but with the newer 4.8 series kernel.
The distribution uses Chromium to render Flash content using Pepper Flash Player. Other familiar programs include VLC, Evince PDF, the Bittorrent client Transmission, and the Gufw firewall. They are used alongside components from a variety of lightweight desktop environments, including the calculator from Mate and the task manager from Xfce, as well as the xviewer image viewer and xed text editor from the Linux Mint project.
Fast cloud distribution of Peppermint OS The distribution also includes several online tools. such as Editor ot pixlr.com. and a number of online games. There's also a home program from Peppermint OS that can turn sites into web applications (technically called Site Specific Browsers or SSBs) and include them in menus. To manage packages, the distribution uses the Software Manager from Mint, as well as the more familiar Synaptic.
Support for old hardware
It is very difficult to define “old” equipment. New programs that require enormous resources can turn even relatively new equipment into scrap. The category of users whose equipment became obsolete relatively recently includes those who still love their reliable computer from last decade.
It's hardly fair to force them to get rid of their old equipment if all they need is a computer to surf the Internet, do text, and watch videos. In our opinion, impose it on them with a knife at their throat [Ed:. - Force? Seduce?] the latest multi-core hardware is completely wrong. The beauty of the diverse Linux community is that there are several distributions built from the ground up to run on hardware that mainstream distributions have abandoned.
Lightweight Legacy OS distribution
As its name suggests, the Legacy OS distribution is designed to resurrect ancient hardware. It's based on another lightweight champion, Puppy Linux, and it offers a number of ultra-lightweight components, such as the IceWMw window manager and the POX file manager. making it suitable for low-power computers. You can install Legacy OS on computers with legacy components, such as telephone line modems. The distribution comes as a 32-bit Live CD and is capable of running on computers with only 256 MB of RAM.
The best thing about Legacy OS is the fact that, despite its small size, it has a ton of programs. The distribution includes the Konqueror and Opera browsers, the KMail email client, the Kadu chat client, several Bittorrent clients, several download managers, and many KDE utilities. You'll also find utilities like wvdial and gkdial for setting up a PPP connection to the Internet via a dial-up modem. Although the distribution is designed for low-end computers, it offers tools for creating and editing multimedia. It is also worth mentioning that despite the diverse selection of applications, the distribution manages to maintain a certain harmony of appearance between applications based on Qt and GTK. The latest version of Legacy OS also offers its own Control Panel for customizing various aspects of the installation and connected peripherals.
Lightweight Legacy OS distribution All this functionality comes at the cost of reduced usability. Legacy OS, like its predecessor Puppy, is a bit strange and takes some getting used to. It boots into an intimidating boot menu that only experienced users will understand. You will also have to select a display server. However, for more hours and equipment, the desktop with default options will do.
Lightweight Bodhi Linux distribution
Bodhi Linux is a lightweight distribution with a special Legacy edition for really old 32-bit machines. Although it can be installed on a computer with a 500 MHz processor and 256 MB RAM, for normal performance the developers recommend a 1 GHz processor with 512 MB RAM; that's enough to cover turn-of-the-century computers. Unlike the Standard release, Bodhi Legacy is built on the older Linux v3.2 kernel, optimized for hardware at least 15 years old. And it does not include PAE (Physical Address Extensions), also not supported on older computers.
Bodhi uses its own Moksha desktop, a fork of the Enlightenment 17 desktop. Enlightenment is known for providing an attractive look without overburdening the hardware. Despite negligible RAM usage, Moksha and Bodhi apps have subtle and attractive graphical effects by default. For example, the mouse cursor lights up along an outline with a blue light each time you press a mouse button, and the Terminology terminal emulator has a flickering blue text cursor. The animations also work great on the desktop - even on older hardware.
Lightweight Bodhi Linux distribution Bodhi Linux is based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and uses its Ubiquity installer. A bare minimum of programs and utilities is offered. It has a simple text editor, an image viewer, and the Midori browser. You can install the additional programs you require using the distribution's own AppCenter, a Web-based package manager. Most categories contain full-featured and lightweight alternatives. For example, you'll find office suites like Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice there, along with Abiword and Gnumeric. Also included is the Thunderbird email program and the lightweight Claws email client; Evince; resource-saving PDFView; editors Geany and Leafpad.
Lightweight antiX distribution
Another distribution that will feel great on a computer with only 256 MB of RAM is antiX. The non-Systemd distribution offers a selection of lightweight desktops and window managers in its variants, and even offers a basic version with just the applications needed to build a desktop from scratch. The full edition of antiX, which uses IceWM along with the Rox file manager, is one of the lightest distributions available, and is complemented by a carefully selected collection of programs.
AntiX offers plenty of apps, including popular programs like Firefox and LibreOffice, but complements them with lightweight ones like MPl/from Gnome, Claws, Dillo browser, and goes one step further with weird but useful apps like Droppy - a networking web -file sharing server. Its web browser comes with adobe-flashplugin, and there is also a program called smtube for playing YouTube videos outside the browser. You can use streamlight-antix app to stream videos with very low RAM consumption. There are also several file managers, programs for converting audio and video files, and even Gnome-PPP for connecting to the Internet via a telephone line.
Lightweight antiX distribution The distribution joins its own repositories to the Debian repositories. While it offers the Synaptic package manager, one of the interesting aspects of the distribution is the meta-package installer that helps make the distribution accessible to new users. With its help, you can install popular applications from over two dozen categories: individual applications such as the Spotify player and the Steam client, as well as the full Apache web server along with PHP and MySQL. The tool is downright comprehensive, and you don't even have to resort to a package manager unless you're chasing some exotic library.
The Debian-based distro boots into a nice IceWM window manager with desktop icons. At the bottom of the screen is the application menu, task switcher and system tray. You can also right-click on the desktop to bring up the applications menu. The distribution's custom installer is verbose enough that even an inexperienced user can navigate it, despite using GParted to partition the disk. Besides, not many people will be able to dual-boot an old machine; and the installer will be especially kind if you give the entire disk to antiX.
