Top light GNU/Linux Distros for old and low-resource computers
This article in the year 2023, that is, after the first complete generation of time has almost been completed (25 years) of the current century, it may seem a bit far-fetched or forced. But, precisely, something that characterizes GNU/Linux is that it seeks to fight against what we usually call programmed obsolescence, and in this case specifically on home computers, and even in certain offices or some educational institutions.
Furthermore, here in Desde Linux, we have been more than 5 years since we launched our last publication related to this topic, called 5 Linux distributions to give new life to your low-resource computer. Therefore, it never hurts to check what's new in each topic to offer you, our dear and faithful readers, the best and most up-to-date information on the matter. So, then, here is our current Top light GNU/Linux Distros for old and low-resource computers.
But, before starting to read this new publication about some current «Lightweight GNU/Linux distros for old and low-resource computers», we recommend the previous related post with the same topic:
Top 10 lightweight GNU/Linux Distros for older computers
Previous considerations about the types of computers
Surely, many of us have different opinions about which is or can be today an old computer with low hardware resources. And since this is a topic that has a lot to explain, I am going to leave a few small excerpts from a previous article where I extensively address this topic. More him link to it, so that those who decide can read it to strengthen their own points of view and enrich their knowledge on the matter a little more.
Old and low-resource computers
But, for this article, we will understand or assume that:
Old and low-resource computers are all 32/64-bit computers that were produced and sold from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2009. Furthermore, these computers can be considered, by default, low-resource, since, many were configured with 1 CPU Core and 2 GB of RAM. And the maximum average size of the hard drives used was 64 GB. This includes computers with Pentium 4 CPUs, released in 2000 and discontinued in 2008.
Recent and mid-range computers
Since, from then on, the rest of the computers can be considered as:
Recent computers with medium HW resources, because this type of computer includes all those 32/64 Bit computers that were produced and sold from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2019. In addition, these computers can be considered , by default, of medium resources, since many were configured with up to 4 CPU Cores and 8 GB of RAM. And the maximum average size of the hard drives used is 512 GB.
Modern, high-resource computers
Which leaves us with the following:
Modern, high-HW resource computers are currently those 64-Bit computers, which have been produced and sold since the beginning of 2020, and are mass produced and sold to this day. And, they are considered, by default, high resources, since many are configured on average, with 8 CPU Cores and 16 GB of RAM, onwards. And the average size of built-in hard drives is 1 TB. In addition, many come by default with good GPUs, internal or external, and SSD hard drives.
Light GNU/Linux distros recommended for old and low-resource computers
Being very clear that it is or could be an old, low-resource computer, we will now recommend a good Top of light GNU/Linux Distro for this type of equipment. However, and in my very personal opinion, if a person has a computer of this category and is a computer enthusiast and also a Linux user, The best thing you can do is transform said old computer into a CLI Server, that is, without a graphical interface, only terminal (console).
This way, you will not only be giving better use, but you can learn from new and better knowledge that in a professional future may be of better use than trying to use said equipment with an operating system with a graphical interface for daily use by a user of any age.
That said, below our current Top lightweight GNU/Linux Distros for old and low-resource computers, which still offer updated ISO files with 32 Bit versions and Desktop Environments or Window Managers (DE/WM) ready to install and optimized to achieve very low resource consumption, in addition to a large global community of users and developers , Eager to help:
- Debian
- MX
- antiX
- TinyCore
- Puppy Linux
- Linux Lite
- Slax
- Lubuntu/Xubuntu
- Q4OS
- Arch Linux
We know that there are many more, such as M4Linux, Bodhi and Trisquel, so if you have a favorite in this area, leave us your contribution in the comments for the knowledge and learning of all.
Summary
In short, to this day there are still available, interesting and useful «Lightweight GNU/Linux distros for old and low-resource computers». Therefore, if you have a piece of equipment in a state of abandonment and disuse, it is still possible to resurrect them. Although, It will always be better to put them to better use as a home and test CLI Server than as a daily use computer.
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