MATE is one of the best desktop environments alongside GNOME, KDE, and Cinnamon. If I had to choose a “heavyweight” among this list of lightest Linux distros that can work on older machines, I’d choose Ubuntu MATE. The latest release of Ubuntu MATE based on Ubuntu 20.04 turned out to be an essential release of the distro packing two years of continued improvement to MATE Desktop and Ubuntu MATE itself. Minimum hardware requirements for Linux Lite: If you’re looking for a Linux distro that’s equally lightweight, beginner-friendly, and good-looking, your search should end here. This operating system has been growing at a rapid pace in the recent past. Linux Lite was also recently featured on our list of the best Linux distros for new users. Minimum hardware requirements for Puppy Linux: It boots itself entirely into RAM on bootup, so it’s pretty fast and responsive. The developers of this lightweight Linux distro call it “grandpa-friendly certified,” which means it’s straightforward to use. Like many other Linux distros, you can also go for the live booting option using CD/DVD or USB. It comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and one can install them on UEFI and BIOS-enabled PCs. Puppy doesn’t come with any popular preinstalled applications to reduce its size, but it’s understandable.

So, dump all your worries about less storage space on your old PC in a corner and try the lightweight Puppy Linux. Puppy Linux’s size is around 300MB, making it one of the smallest Linux distros. In more straightforward language, if you’re comfortable with apt-get, go with the Ubuntu version. The choice of your binaries determines the availability of additional packages. Instead, it can be built from packages of distros like Ubuntu. One should note that Puppy Linux isn’t based on some other distro. In case you’re looking for a Linux distro with a cute name and special purpose, then check out Puppy Linux. Minimum hardware requirements for Bodhi Linux: You can also use the AppPack edition, a live system-based OS that you can directly plug into your computer and run the default applications. Or, if you’re not too concerned about the kernel, you should opt for a standard release.įurthermore, Bodhi Linux Legacy is a 32-bit version that you can use to give your old fifteen-year-old computer a new life.

If you want a 64-bit operating system with kernel update to enjoy any brand new hardware support, you should consider the HWE edition. The latest Bodhi Linux 5.1 is now available in four editions: Standard, Legacy, AppPack, and HWE.Įach edition has special use cases. Thanks to Ubuntu repositories, you get access to tons of free software. On the aesthetics front, Bodhi Linux looks excellent, and everything works just right.

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