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As someone who’s been around the block a few hundred times with technology, planned obsolescence has long bothered me.
When Microsoft released Windows 11, it became clear that a lot of hardware wouldn’t support the new version of Windows. Many people ended up having to purchase new systems if they wanted to stick with Windows. For some, that wasn’t an option, so they had to continue using a Windows operating system that would eventually fall out of support. That meant no more security updates, which can leave users — and their data — vulnerable.
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If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, there’s hope in the form of a handful of Linux distributions designed specifically for older or less-powerful hardware. With these operating systems, you can revive an old machine and make it run as though it were new.
Here are 9 Linux distributions that are perfectly at home on older (and even newer) hardware.
1. Bodhi Linux
Great for those willing to learn new things
The Bodhi Linux desktop offers a unique way of interacting with your computer.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
For about five years, Bodhi Linux was my go-to operating system. It’s not just perfectly suited for older hardware, but it also offers a unique take on the user interface. The Moksha Desktop is similar to that of Enlightenment (another old-school favorite of mine) and includes plenty of features to make it a full-fledged desktop operating system.
The one caveat to using Bodhi Linux is that you will have to rethink the way you interact with the desktop, as it’s quite different. That doesn’t make it challenging (it’s not), but know that Moksha will take a bit of getting used to. One of my favorite features of Moksha (which also appears in Enlightenment) is that you can access the desktop menu by clicking anywhere on the desktop. That makes for an efficient workflow.
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The recommended system requirements for Bodhi Linux are:
- 64-bit, 1.0GHz processor
- 768MB of RAM
- 10GB of drive space
With just a minimal system, you’ll have a desktop computer that not only runs like a champ but also looks really cool as it does.
2. Linux Lite
Very user-friendly, highly customizable, and blazingly fast
The Linux Lite desktop includes all the features to which you’re accustomed.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
If you’re looking for a more standard desktop interface, Linux Lite might be your best bet. Linux Lite uses a custom Xfce desktop environment to create an interface that should be immediately familiar to all user types.
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Even better, Linux Lite was designed to be very user-friendly. So, even if you aren’t familiar with Linux, you should be able to get up to speed with the operating system quickly. Linux Lite comes with the Chrome web browser, Thunderbird email client, GIMP image editor, VLC media player, the LibreOffice office suite, and more pre-installed. Linux Lite is fairly customizable, so if you don’t like the default desktop layout, you can change it.
The minimum system requirements for Linux Lite are:
- 1GHz CPU
- 768MB of RAM (1GB is recommended)
- 8GB of drive space (minimum)
3. Puppy Linux
Best for use as a live distribution
The Puppy Linux default desktop.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Puppy Linux is a bit of an outlier here, as it’s not nearly as easy to install as the other distributions. In fact, Puppy Linux is rather challenging on this front, so it’s often best to simply use it as a live distribution. You can “install” it to a USB flash drive (and even do so with persistent file storage) and boot as needed. This way, you can carry Puppy Linux around with you and boot it on any machine you like, without making a single change to what’s installed on the local drive.
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You’ll find more than enough installed software, such as the Palemoon web browser, Claws Mail email client, AbiWord word processor, Gnumeric spreadsheet tool, and plenty more. The Puppy Linux desktop is a bit cluttered, but it’s still very straightforward to use.
The minimum system requirements for Puppy Linux are:
- CPU: Pentium 900 MHz
- RAM: 300MB
- Hard Drive: Optional
- DVD-ROM: 20x and up or USB
Just remember, even though Puppy Linux can do wonders to revive your old hardware, you’ll need a bit more Linux experience to get the most out of this distribution.
4. Tiny Core Linux
Better for experienced users
The Tiny Core Linux default desktop offers side title bars similar to those you can configure with AfterStep.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Tiny Core Linux couldn’t have a more apropos name. It’s very small. Tiny Core is another distribution that you don’t really need to install on your hard drive. You boot it, add only the applications you need (using a GUI installer), and interact with the bare minimum desktop (based on BusyBox and FLTK).
Like Puppy Linux, I don’t recommend Tiny Core Linux to those who are new to Linux, as it’s not nearly as straightforward as you might think.
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Tiny Core supports virtual desktops and sticky windows and includes a Control Panel for configuring backup/restore, services, date/time, mouse, network, and more.
The minimum system requirements for Tiny Core Linux are:
However, the recommended minimum configuration for Tiny Core Linux is a Pentium II CPU and 128MB of RAM. The download page also offers three different versions: Core (the base system), Tiny Core (the recommended option), and CorePlus (an installation image that includes the choice of seven different window managers).
Of all the lightweight Linux distributions, Tiny Core can run on the oldest hardware.
5. LXLE Linux
Works on ancient hardware
The LXLE Linux desktop interface makes using Linux a breeze.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
LXLE Linux is built on the most recent version of Ubuntu Linux and uses the LXLE desktop environment to create an operating system that’s lightweight, simple to install, and easy to use. LXLE offers a nice desktop (especially for a lightweight distribution) that includes all the software you need to be productive or entertain yourself.
The latest release of LXLE Linux (Focal) can be completely installed (from start to finish) in less than five minutes. The default desktop should be quite familiar to anyone who’s used any kind of desktop interface. If you configure it to upgrade during the installation, you’ll probably run into a moment during the process where it seems like things have stopped (when it says “Retrieving file 100 of 101”). Have patience because it will finish and continue.
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The system requirements for LXLE are about as minimal as you can get:
- 512MB of RAM
- P3 CPU or better
Yes, you read that correctly: a Pentium 3 CPU. This distribution can revive ancient hardware.
LXLE ships with apps like LibreOffice, Bookworm, HomeBank, LibreWolf, and ClawsMail installed by default, so even though it’s a tiny distribution, you’ll find it has everything you need to get up and running.
6. BunsenLabs Linux
A more modern flair
Bunson Labs Linux is as beautiful as it is easy to use.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
BunsenLabs Linux uses the Xfce desktop to create a lightweight Linux distribution. However, this isn’t your grandmother’s Xfce, as the developers have given it a modern twist. And because BunsenLabs Linux is based on Debian, you can be sure that it’s as rock-solid and reliable as any operating system on the market. This Linux distribution’s desktop takes a nod from Ubuntu, with a vertical panel and loads of personality. And with a right-click desktop menu, you can bet this distribution is incredibly efficient to use.
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As far as system requirements, here’s what they look like:
- CPU: 32- or 64-bit
- RAM: 1 GB minimum and 2 GB+ recommended
- Storage: 20 GB recommended
7. AntiX
AntiX will be familiar to a wide swath of users.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
AntiX is another lightweight distribution, but I wouldn’t recommend it to those new to Linux. AntiX opts for the zzzFM-IceWM window manager, which makes it more suitable for those with at least a bit of Linux experience. Even though the developers have configured the window manager to look fairly familiar, if you go to make any changes to the look and feel, you’ll find it’s not quite as simple as KDE Plasma or GNOME.
Also: Why this lightweight Linux distro won’t win any popularity contests but is perfect for power users
AntiX ships with many preinstalled apps, such as Firefox, LibreOffice, Firejail, media players, and more. More than anything, though, AntiX is crazy fast, which means an aging computer will feel like you just purchased it off the shelf.
The system requirements for AntiX are:
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2
- 1GB or more RAM
- 10GB or more drive space
- Graphics: Any graphics card with 3D acceleration
8. Lubuntu
The Lubuntu desktop looks and feels like an early 2000 UI.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Lubuntu is another distribution based on Ubuntu LTS. This take, however, uses the LXQt desktop, which is one of the most full-featured of all the lightweight desktop environments. LXQt is very fast and easy to use. Anyone who’s worked with Windows of any iteration will find LXQt familiar. Lubuntu is an official spin of Ubuntu and retains things like Snap package support, a stable kernel, a similar set of preinstalled software, and access to the standard Ubuntu repositories.
And although the Lubuntu desktop may give you early-2000s vibes, that doesn’t mean it’s too old-school. Lubuntu even includes KDE Plasma’s Discover app store, so you won’t have any problem installing all of the apps you need. The best thing about Lubuntu, however, is the speed. This lightweight Linux distribution will blow you away with how fast it runs, even on older hardware.
Also: Lubuntu is Linux for those looking to simplify and speed up their desktop experience
Speaking of which, the system requirements for Lubuntu are:
- CPU: 1GHz or faster
- 1GB of RAM
- 5GB of drive space
With these eight lightweight Linux distributions that can help give old computers new life, you can save some money and the environment by keeping hardware around that cannot run the most modern operating systems, and feel good about doing a good deed for the planet and yourself.
9. Ubuntu MATE
In less than a minute, you can have a much more modern-looking UI for Ubuntu Mate.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Ubuntu MATE uses the MATE desktop (which is lightweight yet full-featured), which makes it easy for new users to hop onto the Linux bandwagon. MATE is as easy as it gets, with a bottom panel, a top bar, a desktop menu, a system tray, clickable icons, drag-and-drop, and more.
MATE also allows for a bit of customization, so you can make the desktop look a wee bit more modern without having to bend over backwards to do it.
Ubuntu MATE is suitable for old computers, modern computers, and single-board computers. No matter what you install Ubuntu MATE on, it’ll feel like a brand new, supercharged machine.
