Suitable Linux operating systems for newbie and system specification

[naimafrin]

Hi, I've been running Windows 7 for a few months, haven't ever used Linux. No coding background but have patience. I would like advices from the specialists in this forum about the most suitable Linux operating systems for my specific hardware system and personal needs. I want the following:

• Good functionality, no need for a very strong graphics card or gaming, I don't play PC games.
• Good browsing speed. Some browsers tend to create lots of extra threads that are visible from the Task Manager. I basically need the browsers for e-mails, doing online courses, and to visit 4/5 different university websites and keep 5/6 tabs open at once.
• freelancing , so Libre Office or MS Word and sometimes making content on You Tube or writing
• might learn coding with R and Python
• fast shut down and loading
• My system specifications:

Operating system: Windows 7 Service Pack 1

Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Duo
CPU: E4500 @ 2.20 GHz 2.19 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Motherboard: manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
Display adapter:
Intel(R) G41 Express Chipset | RDPDD Chained DD | RDP Encoder Mirror Driver | RDP Reflector Display Driver

HDD:
C: 198.2GB | E: 293.0GB | F: 415.3GB | Y: 25.0GB
CPU speed: 2192.9 Mega hertz

Note: some help'sbeen taken from systemspec software (http://www.alexnolan.net/software/sysspec.htm) to get system details

A sincere thanks to open-source.

 

[Jarret B]

Try LUbuntu. It doesn't require much system hardware to run. You may want to repartition the hard drives as one drive, which I suspect it is. Unless they hold data that you want to keep. LUbuntu will get you started on Linux and you should have no problem with Libre Office and Python and the like.

 

[KGIII]

First, I'll share this:

Finally, an Answer to What is The Best Linux Distro? • Linux Tips

Finally, an attempt to answer to the age old question: Which Linux distro is the best? Read on to find out which distro is the best Linux distro.

linux-tips.us

Technically, your computer could run any Linux distro, which is why I included the above link - it'll be good reading for you, most likely.

But, with that little RAM, you probably want something lighter. Lubuntu would run on that fairly well, but I'm biased. There's also stuff like Linux Lite.

If possible, you could add more RAM and just doubling it to 4 GB would make an appreciable difference, along with adding an SSD if you'd like faster disk speeds. Both of those should be fairly inexpensive.

 

[Brickwizard]

Welcome,
OK you have a 2007/8 machine with a 64 bit twin core processor, this is capable of running any distribution of Linux you fancy
you only have 2gb of ram, most distributions will run on this but upgrading to the max 4gb for your machine will make it viable for all distributions, as it stands your best bet would be one of the med/lightweight distributions a few suggestions would be Lubuntu, MX-21, Linux lite, Debian with driver pack, and Peppermint my only recommendation is you download a few and try running them live to see what suits your fancy.

Would I be correct in assuming its a Dell laptop/desktop as the spec is typical for one of theirs,

Most distributions include a full office suite, applications for making vids and u-tube are available in the distribution repositories, start up and shut down speed is very much down to your kit, by increasing the ram to 4 gb you will get a slight increase in speed,

As its a 2007/8 machine it may not be USB bootable so you may need a stack of DVD-R to make your installation medium [I do not recommend DVD+r/DVD-RW on a machine of that age] oh and if you do have to use the optical drive make sure it is cleaned before use.

 

[bob466]

I also would say...Linux Lite but with only 2GB of RAM you will have limits.

 

[Deleted member 137406]

Have a look.

Q4OS - desktop operating system

q4os.org

Q4OS - desktop operating system

q4os.org

"The minimal hardware requirements:
Plasma desktop - 1GHz CPU / 1GB RAM / 5GB disk
Trinity desktop - 300MHz CPU / 256MB RAM / 3GB disk"

 

[ML_113]

EasyOS on USB, antiX installed on hdd or ...
EasyOS and antiX dual boot.
EasyOS (a variety of Puppy) is an acquired taste, some people cannot stomach it but security wise it's very strong. The Limine bootloader of Easy is also peculiar.

 

[wizardfromoz]

I would be concerned about running Windows 7 - support for it ended January 14, 2020.

Wizard

 

[darry1966]

Welcome. Upgrading ram is always a good option for better performance. Linux Lite is one of many good distros like ZorinOS, MX21, Mint, Puppy, etc.

 

[naimafrin]

Thanks everyone for your valued suggestions. My Windows 7 System got infected with a .mmvb ransomware even when with a good Anti-Virus installed on my PC. Once I install a Linux Distro I hope to start making reviews!

KGIII: yeah it seems boosting up RAM power could give me some space to breath!

Brickwizard: it's USB bootable and can take a DVD-ROM drive external + internal.

WizardfromOz: haha I don't remember relying on Microsoft Support ever for problems - usually the troubleshooting's too simplistic.

Thanks once again. Best wishes.

 

[wizardfromoz]

WizardfromOz: haha I don't remember relying on Microsoft Support ever for problems - usually the troubleshooting's too simplistic.

Not talking about troubleshooting, I was referring to security, in allowing it to access the internet.

My Windows 7 System got infected with a .mmvb ransomware even when with a good Anti-Virus installed on my PC.

Cheers

Wizard

 

[Leonardo_B]

look like your running a older nvidia gpu. upgrade the ram and gpu then you be able to run most linux distros. I would look at different desktop environment, Then look at which package manger / distro family you like best. As for desktop environments you should look at lxqt ,xfce, and cinnamon. they are more lightweight and easy to use then other options .Debin and its forks use apt-get as it package manger in the terminal. Fedora and its forks use dnf as it package manger in the terminal.Suse linux and its forks use zypper as it package manger in the terminal . Arch use pacman as it package manger in the terminal. Their many other linux distros out their with different packages mangers and thoes distros provide a manual that tells you what commands to use in terminal.. Also in general most linux distros also have a graphical way to remove and install programs


For the last 2 years i been running Fedora. here my computer hardware