markcopper
New Member
What are the best lightweight Linux distribution for older hardware? Locking for something fast, efficient, and minimal. Any recommendations performance tweaks to improve speed?
Best Lightweight Linux Distros for Old PCs?
- Thread starter markcopper
- Start date
Hello @markcopper
Welcome to the Linux.org forum, enjoy the journey!
I would check out puppy and antix There are others but give them a spin and see what you think.
Welcome to the Linux.org forum, enjoy the journey!
I would check out puppy and antix There are others but give them a spin and see what you think.
Brickwizard
Well-Known Member
How old is old 3-5 yrs is old to most under 30's ,10-15 yrs id old to many, and over 20 [ ans 32bit]is getting old to me.
tell us what the make and full model number of your machine is,.. and what do you intend using it for?
By older hardware, I'm going out on a limb here and assume a 32 bit PC. Linux distros for those are hard to find. That said, Dr. Gemini just told me that ...
Conversation with Gemini
Where can I download a 32 bit Linux distro?It's true that 32-bit support is becoming less common, but some Linux distributions still offer it. Here are a few notable options, along with where you can find them:
- Debian:
- Debian remains a reliable choice for 32-bit systems. You can find 32-bit installation images (specifically "i386") on the official Debian website. Look for the "netinst" images if you have an internet connection during installation.
- Here is the link to start at: https://www.debian.org/distrib/
- Debian remains a reliable choice for 32-bit systems. You can find 32-bit installation images (specifically "i386") on the official Debian website. Look for the "netinst" images if you have an internet connection during installation.
- antiX Linux:
- antiX is specifically designed to be lightweight and run well on older hardware, including 32-bit systems. This makes it an excellent option for older machines.
- You can find antiX on their official website: https://antixlinux.com
- antiX is specifically designed to be lightweight and run well on older hardware, including 32-bit systems. This makes it an excellent option for older machines.
- Void Linux:
- Void Linux is a rolling-release distribution that continues to maintain 32-bit ISOs.
- Here is a link to their homepage: https://voidlinux.org
- Bodhi Linux:
- Bodhi Linux is another lightweight option that offers 32 bit support, and is made to work well on older hardware.
- Here is their homepage: https://www.bodhilinux.com/
- Bodhi Linux is another lightweight option that offers 32 bit support, and is made to work well on older hardware.
- When downloading, make sure to choose the "i386" architecture for 32-bit.
- Lightweight distributions are generally recommended for older 32-bit hardware.
Last edited:
But as others have said above, we first need to know more about the older hardware you have. 
tinfoil-hat
Active Member
There's also
it's for really old hardware but requires a bit Linux knowledge
BunsenLabs Linux
BunsenLabs Linux is a distribution offering a light-weight and easily customizable Openbox desktop
www.bunsenlabs.org
it's for really old hardware but requires a bit Linux knowledge
D
Deleted member 155466
Guest
AntiX has no systemd (for clarification)
Also, with the specs - how much RAM? eg 2GB, 4GB, other?
Brickwizard
Well-Known Member
Ok its a 2008 Mac it will have a T series Intel twin core CPU, it will be capable of running any Linux, it will probably have a BCM wi-fi which you will most likely need to install legacy drivers for,
Although I said it is capable of running any Linux, on MY old lappy of almost identical spec, I used to run medium weight distros LMDE, Peppermint Parrot and MX, or you could go lighter, Linux-Lite, Bunsen Labs, Xubuntu, Kbuntu or similar,
if funds are available, the only cost-effective improvement would be to swap out the plate spinner HDD for a SATA SSD
Although I said it is capable of running any Linux, on MY old lappy of almost identical spec, I used to run medium weight distros LMDE, Peppermint Parrot and MX, or you could go lighter, Linux-Lite, Bunsen Labs, Xubuntu, Kbuntu or similar,
if funds are available, the only cost-effective improvement would be to swap out the plate spinner HDD for a SATA SSD
909mjolnir
Member
Hoping I'm not delivering bad advice, I cast a vote for Manjaro XFCE. If you're willing to avoid the AUR, it's actually stable lately, as far as I can tell this year. And the ArchWiki comes in handy for compatible configuration info's. My computer is a year 1/2 to 2 years old and it's running pretty smoothly. I've tried Manjaro in the past and it's been ok. I'd say it's not as involved as Arch.
An other option might be MX Linux. It can be converted back into Debian if you like after you get it configured. But it is rather bloated in my opinion. But it's user friendly. It might be friendly than plain Debian, but I'm not 100% sure.
I used to distro hop a bit. But I stopped at Manjaro.
Another Good one could be Linux Mint or Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) if you just want to get busy.
That one seems to get good reviews lately, althought I see a lot of Ubuntu systems need tech support on some of the other forum sites.
At least you are here, somebody will help ya out either way.
I wouldn't choose Puppy Linux as the main one, but it is nice to have a copy of that handy.
I remember using Trusty Tahr a lot in my Puppy Linux days.
Hopefully whichever you pick will work out for ya.
An other option might be MX Linux. It can be converted back into Debian if you like after you get it configured. But it is rather bloated in my opinion. But it's user friendly. It might be friendly than plain Debian, but I'm not 100% sure.
I used to distro hop a bit. But I stopped at Manjaro.
Another Good one could be Linux Mint or Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) if you just want to get busy.
That one seems to get good reviews lately, althought I see a lot of Ubuntu systems need tech support on some of the other forum sites.
At least you are here, somebody will help ya out either way.
I wouldn't choose Puppy Linux as the main one, but it is nice to have a copy of that handy.
I remember using Trusty Tahr a lot in my Puppy Linux days.
Hopefully whichever you pick will work out for ya.
Ubuntu 22.04 installed but wouldn't seem to run - locked up screen . Tried install with safe graphics - same result.
Xubuntu 24.04 installed and ran
But it doesn't see the wifi adapter. Driver update doesn't register any drivers for machine.
It does seem like it could use an SSD.
Thanks for the replies.
walt
Brickwizard
Well-Known Member
from the terminal run inxi -nN
look at the output, I expect the wi fi to be BM43*** to install drivers [you will need alternative method of connecting to the net, teatherd mobile or Ethernet]
open terminal and run
sudo apt update
sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer && apt install linux-firmware
then
sudo reboot
look at the output, I expect the wi fi to be BM43*** to install drivers [you will need alternative method of connecting to the net, teatherd mobile or Ethernet]
open terminal and run
sudo apt update
sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer && apt install linux-firmware
then
sudo reboot
@909mjolnir :-
I run an entire kennels of Pups; around a dozen or so, currently. I'm actually posting from Tahr64 ATM.....though ya wouldn't recognise it, 'cos it's been hugely upgraded & customized.
Trusty was the first-ever Puppy that ran 100%, OOTB, on the ancient hardware I had at the time. It's STILL fun to play around with......and still perfectly usable as a "daily driver". PhilB knew what he was doing with the 'buntu-based LTS Pups, believe me...
Mike.
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