The fastest and lightest Linux distributions. Linux distribution for weak computers - Runtu Lite Which system to install on an old computer

Now I want to talk to you about the topic: .

For what purposes may you need to read this article? First of all, of course, the information presented below will be useful to beginners who have an old computer at their disposal, but do not know what to do with it. This is what I will tell you now. Professionals are unlikely to learn anything interesting for themselves, but what if?

Are old and weak computers the same thing?

So you got an old one computer. Maybe they just bought it, or maybe they just gave it to you as a gift or gave it away for a symbolic amount - it doesn’t matter. Now let’s define what we mean by the word “old”.

It may not necessarily be a very ancient IBM-486 with four megabytes of RAM and a gigabyte hard drive on board. By old we can mean hardware from, say, the generation before last, say, which is based on a Pentium 4 processor and DDR1 RAM.

In our review we will go downward - from more or less modern computers to ancient models. And along the way, I’ll tell you what you can do with them, what you can install on it, or even where to put your old computer.

Computers and operating systems – what to choose and install?

So, a computer with a Pentium 4 processor and 512 megabytes-gigabytes of RAM. You can install quite a few operating systems on it– from Windows XP to Linux and the exotic BSD product line. Although you won’t be able to load particularly heavy applications onto such a computer, such a machine is quite suitable as a functional typewriter and a testing ground for office games. It would be even better suited as a small home server - although you will have to install larger hard drives on it. Linux and BSD products are just suitable for the server. I won’t say which specific product from the lines to choose and install, there are too many different nuances and other things.

If you have an even older computer, and it can’t handle Windows XP, then we can give some advice here too. Install Windows 98 on it for small office work and laying out the Klondike - playing Minesweeper, such a computer is quite suitable. It may also be suitable for a home server, but again, an infusion of cash is needed.

If the computer is very old, then install Windows 3.1 or Windows 3.11 on it. If you have any prejudice against this shell operating system, install DOS or Linux running from the command line and a file manager, and be happy.

The only question is: is such a computer needed at all? In my opinion - only for primitive games and for teaching basic and non-basic command line functions.

Operating systems for older computers

The most common operating system in the world is not just one OS, but a whole line of them - Windows from Microsoft Corporation and Bill Gates personally. This is a fact, and you can’t argue against it. Although rich Bill is often scolded and his mother is remembered, the vast majority of desktop (that is, desktop) computers still have one or another version of Windows installed.

Linux and BSD systems, although they have some advantages that soft ones do not have(in particular, this is the freeness of the product and its distribution along with the source codes), but they occupy, overwhelmingly, the server niche. This is also a fact.

P.S. Which operating system to install on your old computer is of course up to you, dear reader, but still be prudent and check the system and hardware requirements. For example, there is no need to install, say, Windows 7 on the Pentium 2. You will suffer yourself, and there will be no sense in all this.

Hello friends. Fewer and fewer users today remain on Windows XP. According to the statistical service Statcounter, this is only 1.4% of people on the entire planet. WinXP has not been supported by Microsoft for a long time; an increasing number of third-party software developers are bypassing it, which is to say that this version of the system is becoming obsolete. But what to do if you have a very old PC or a very weak laptop that can creakingly run Vista or Seven? If the issue of upgrading a device is not considered due to the unjustified investment, if some Linux distribution is not considered as an operating system, perhaps an industrial build of Windows 7 Embedded will help. In this article we will talk about it.

Windows Embedded 7 system requirements:

Processor with a frequency of at least 1 GHz

RAM: 512 MB

Disk space: 8 GB

Windows Embedded Family

Windows Embedded is a family of operating systems for ATMs, terminals, other self-service systems, medical equipment, and various production equipment. This is a separate family of industrial operating systems from desktop NT. They are based on desktop versions of Windows, but they have a redesigned system kernel and reduced functionality. The first version of the Windows Embedded family appeared in 1996 based on Win95. Later it became based on WinXP, Vista, 7, 8.1. There is even a build based on the server Windows Server 2008. In the Win10 version, Embedded was replaced by the name IoT, and the operating system itself began to come with expanded device support.

What is Windows Embedded 7

Like the NT desktop family, each version of the Embedded family has its own editions for a specific consumer segment. For Windows Embedded 7 this is:

• POSReady is a system optimized for operation at terminals and self-service points of the population;
• Compact is a system that supports ARM, MIPS, SuperH processors, and 32-bit microprocessors. Intended for weak multimedia devices, industrial automation, and other low-power equipment. Its redesigned core requires less than 1 MB of RAM to function. It was this edition that at one time formed the basis of Windows Phone;
• Standard – analogue of the NT edition “Professional”;
• Enterprise is an analogue of the NT “Corporate” edition.

The last two editions can be used on more or less productive devices such as: slot machines, powerful media equipment, commercial and medical equipment, video surveillance systems, etc. And, of course, the Standard and Enterprise editions are an option for secret installation on low-power user computers. Although the matter of secrecy is a controversial issue. Officially, Windows Embedded is a system for commercial structures, and it seems that it cannot be used on user devices. But at one time, Microsoft distributed official Embedded 7 activation keys on preferential terms (as part of the DreamSpark program) to university students. Those. not to commercial structures, but to ordinary individuals. It turns out that the company itself circumvented its ban.

Windows Embedded 7 looks like a regular "Seven". This system has almost the same functionality as its desktop editions - control panel, explorer, Internet Explorer browser, Windows Media Player, command line, disk management, local group policy editor, registry editor and other system utilities. Even externally, it is the familiar “Seven” with the Aero Glass effect and pre-installed design themes. Well, except that Windows Embedded 7 has a different logo and picture on the welcome screen.

What are its differences from regular Win7?

Some system components and drivers have been removed from Embedded, and some services that are not needed when the operating system is running on the stated devices have been disabled. As a result, immediately after installation, a 64-bit system weighs a little more than 6 GB, and a 32-bit system weighs just 4.3 GB.

Will the lack of remote functionality somehow affect the performance of the system when used on home computers? If we select the optimal build of Embedded 7, we will get a fully functional operating system with support for the network, printers, faxes, and other peripheral devices, with support for the .NET Framework, DirectX and other software environments. And most importantly - with the ability to install third-party software. This means that if the system itself does not detect some computer hardware or some of the connected peripherals, we can fix everything by manually installing drivers. Or automatic using special programs.

In "Seven" Embedded there is no ability to add system components through the control panel (Programs - Turn Windows components on and off). But if necessary and zealously desired, they can still be added using Dism.

Total: thanks to the reduction, Windows Embedded 7 consumes less system resources than the usual “Seven”, works more quickly and, accordingly, can give low-power computer devices a second chance at life. Of course, this is not a full-fledged Win7, and difficulties may arise when using some of its features. But this is a stable environment for office, media tasks, and web surfing. These are the main capabilities of the operating system, the use of which is rarely exceeded by owners of top-end PCs and laptops, using them for everyday or gaming purposes. In any case, Embedded is an official stripped-down build of Windows, the result of the work of Microsoft specialists, and not experimental builders, often supporters of crude “castration” of the system.

How to download Windows Embedded 7

Officially, Embedded, along with OEM activation keys, is sold through Microsoft-authorized distributors. And only commercial structures can purchase it. Where can ordinary people get Windows Embedded 7? You can download it in the same place as regular modified Windows builds - on torrent trackers. In the case of Embedded, the risk of becoming a victim of immature experiments by would-be system distribution builders is much lower than in the case of regular desktop versions. Firstly, not many people build Embedded builds. Secondly, usually something is added to industrial assemblies, rather than cut out, since everything is already cut out.

But there is also an official way to obtain the Windows Embedded 7 distribution in the Standard edition. This is a pure distribution, without third-party interference. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft website using this link:

If you need a 32-bit edition of the operating system, check the box for all parts of the archive with the name “Standard 7 SP1 32bit IBW” and click “Next”.

If you need a 64-bit edition, check the files with the name “Standard 7 SP1 64bit IBW” and an additional note as part of the archive. Click “Next”.

After downloading, launch the first part of the archive and wait until the ISO image is extracted. From this image, in fact, Embedded 7 is installed. Its process differs from the installation process of regular Win7, let’s look at it.

How to install Windows Embedded 7

If you guys are using a modified build of Embedded 7, the installation process will naturally be great. The official distribution of this system allows us to select the optimal build configuration and add our own drivers.

"Seven" Embedded from the official distribution comes with a trial monthly license. It can be extended for another three months by resetting the activation at the end of each monthly period. And this way we will be able to use the system for free for 120 days. And then you can also change the activation key and use a special 180-day trial period for the system. The total is 300 calendar days. But we will examine these nuances in other articles on the site. Well, now let's proceed directly to the installation.

We boot the computer from the installation media. And in the first window, click “Build an Image”. Click “Next”.

We accept the license agreement. Click “Next”.

Select the build configuration. For use on user devices, the best option is “Application Compatibility”, i.e. assembly compatible with third-party software. Click “Next”.

Next, we choose a Russian location for time and money. The Russian-language keyboard layout will work itself out. It is impossible to select Russian as the system language without first integrating it into the distribution; it is not provided by default. But it can be easily installed in an already working environment. So we will solve this issue later. Click “Next”.

At this stage, friends, Windows Embedded 7 may be subject to modification. In the window we see which components are supplied in the distribution. Below, using the “Modify Drivers” mode, if necessary, we can add drivers for some devices. If they are not critical for running Windows, there is absolutely no need for this; everything, again, can be done later, inside the already installed system. The “Modify Features” mode is an opportunity to adjust Windows components, remove something, add something. But there is no particular need to adjust anything; the assembly is already configured for optimal use of components. Click “Next”.

After copying the files and rebooting, we will see the usual window for setting the username.

We are warned that after a 30-day trial period, the operating system will behave shamelessly - it will reboot without permission every 20 minutes without saving our data. Click “Next”.

And then we will see the usual final installation steps - selecting the type of update delivery, regional settings, network type. We will be greeted with a standard desktop with branded Win7 wallpaper. But there are still some things that need to be configured.

Enabling the swap file

"Seven" Embedded in the official distribution comes with the swap file disabled. Before working with other system settings, friends, I suggest turning it on so that the system does not distract us with annoying notifications about a lack of RAM. Press the Win+Pause keys. Click “Advanced system setting”. In the “Performance” column, click “Setting”.

Switch to the “Advanced” tab. We see that the paging file has a size of 0 MB. Let's change this. Click “Change”.

Directly in the window for setting paging file parameters, check the “Custom size” box, and in the “Initial size” and “Maximum size” lines enter a value equal to the RAM on the device (but not less than 2048 MB). Click “Set” and click “OK”.

Reboot the computer.

Russification of Windows Embedded 7

To Russify the system, download its special language pack. For 32-bit systems it is downloaded from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26215

And for 64-bit from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26216

Click “Download”.

It is comfortable to work with Windows on regularly updated equipment, but on older computers it often begins to “slip.” Fortunately, there are alternative operating systems for this case - lightweight and safe.

A recent study by the well-known company Avast demonstrates well what equipment people actually use. About a third of users still work on computers released in 2009 or earlier. The average age of most personal computers is more than five years.

A quarter of computers have 2 GB of RAM or less, and the presence of an SSD is rather an exception. We think this is good. Don't worry and continue using your devices. The Windows operating system also has lighter alternatives that are suitable for older computers.

Lubuntu: A lightweight version of Ubuntu

Topping the list is Lubuntu, a compact version of Ubuntu with an LXDE desktop.

Linux is a lighter system than Windows, in part because it has many different GUI options. If you look at Ubuntu and its “daughter” Lubuntu with the LXDE desktop, the second seems like a worthy lightweight alternative. The big advantage is that it allows you to use the equipment sparingly without sacrificing your comfort. For a Windows user, working with the system should not be difficult, so it's worth a try.

Linux Mint XFCE: Another Ubuntu Alternative

Slim Mint is a lightweight version of Linux Mint with the XFCE desktop that saves resources.

Even the most popular version of Linux, Linux Mint, is available with a cost-effective interface. We recommend Linux Mint XFCE for slightly older hardware. Be sure to try the built-in tools, such as the Xplayer media player or the Xreader PDF viewer. They use resources very carefully.

Elementary OS: in the luxurious atmosphere of MacOS

Elementary OS stands out for its chic appearance.

Elementary OS benefits from its look by incorporating macOS design elements. At the same time, Linux is hidden under the shell. Thanks to the built-in AppStore, you can equip the system with additional software; basic programs are already installed.

Puppy Linux: It couldn't be easier

Puppy Linux is a very cost-effective alternative for those who want to save resources as much as possible.

If the above-mentioned operating systems are not suitable for you because you do not have enough resources, then Puppy Linux may be a good option for you. However, this distribution is significantly reduced in functionality, which makes working with it somewhat more complicated.

CloudReady: Chrome OS for self-installation

With CloudReady, you can install Chrome OS on any hardware.

An option that differs from all the Windows alternatives presented above: CloudReady. It allows users to install Chrome OS on any hardware. Please note: Chrome OS is online, meaning you need an Internet connection to use it. The operating system is quite economical, so CloudReady is recommended for use on devices intended for Internet surfing.

Should I use outdated equipment?

Does it still work or is it time to throw it away? There will undoubtedly come a time when you will have to part with your old equipment. But there's nothing wrong with keeping old devices for as long as possible. But the software must be fresh - it is better to replace outdated Windows XP or Vista. If older hardware refuses to work with the current version of Windows, there are always plenty of lightweight alternatives.

Linux distributions that are not demanding on computer resources. Distributions can run on weak computers and consume little RAM. Some distributions are already “tailored” for weak platforms, and some require manual compilation and configuration. The downside to performance usually lies in a simpler interface, no effects, and possibly more complex installation and configuration.

MX Linux

MX Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution based on the Debian stable.

ReactOS

ReactOS is a free and open source operating system compatible with Windows drivers and programs.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu is a distribution based on Ubuntu that uses the Xfce desktop environment. The distribution has a good set of pre-installed software, a high-quality interface and can run on relatively weak computers.

Manjaro

Manjaro is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, has a simple graphical installer and a “pre-installed” graphical environment (XFCE, Openbox and others). Manjaro is much easier to install compared to Arch Linux. The distribution uses its own repositories, but is compatible with AUR (Arch User Repositories).

SliTaz

SliTaz is a very small Linux distribution for computers with low amounts of random access memory (RAM) and for older computers. The distribution image takes only 35 megabytes and is completely loaded into RAM, ensuring high speed. SliTaz can be installed on your hard drive or run in LiveCD mode.

Damn Small Linux

Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a very small Linux distribution. Literally translating the name of the distribution kit - damn little Linux. The distribution size is only 50MB.

Damn Small Linux is designed for use on weak (old) computers, as it consumes very few resources.

Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Linux is a tiny Linux distribution that runs very fast. The iso image size is only about 12 megabytes. The distribution can run on very weak computers. The distribution does not contain built-in software. Tiny Core Linux is unlikely to be suitable for beginners, as it requires experience with Linux.

Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is a small, fast and functional Linux distribution. The distribution size is only about 85MB. Contains a large set of installed programs and has a full-fledged graphical interface. It can run from LiveCD and work entirely from RAM. Not demanding on computer resources.

Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a lightweight distribution based on Ubuntu, with an LXDE graphical environment. Designed mainly for use on weak computers.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a stable, fast Linux distribution that can be completely customized. Designed for experienced Linux users. Uses only stable versions of packages. The distribution is optimized for i686 and x86-64 architectures.

Gentoo

Gentoo is a fast Linux distribution that installs packages from source code. Gentoo aims to be as flexible as possible.

Distributions based on:

If you want to try Linux, then you have to decide on the choice of the most suitable distribution among several hundred. Some of them make it easier for users to adapt to an unfamiliar OS, while others can be quite difficult for beginners

If you want to try Linux, then you have to decide on the choice of the most suitable distribution. There are several hundred different Linux distributions. Some of them make it easier for users to adapt to an unfamiliar operating system, while others can be quite difficult for beginners.

"Linux" is only the kernel, the main part of the operating system. The graphical environment, command line utilities, and other parts of the operating system are separate projects.

Linux distributions combine open source components from various projects into a complete operating system that you can install and use.

Nowadays, switching to Linux is quite easy. You need to download the image and create a bootable USB drive or DVD. After restarting your computer, you can boot from the created media to use Linux in Live mode (without installing it on your computer).

In Live mode, the Linux distribution will run from the boot device without creating potential conflicts with the real system. If you decide that you want to install a Linux distribution on your computer, you can do so directly from the Live environment.

On newer computers, you may need to disable Secure Boot. However, some Linux distributions may boot normally on computers with the Secure Boot option enabled.

Ubuntu is a quality Linux distribution with excellent support

Download Ubuntu Desktop

Ubuntu is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions among home users. This is a great option to start with, but can be used full-time even after you become a fairly experienced Linux user.

Ubuntu is a user-friendly and intuitive operating system in many ways. The distribution offers a simple desktop and installer. During the installation process, Ubuntu offers to automatically install the Flash plug-in for the browser and various codecs for working with multimedia files. The Additional Drivers tool detects and helps you install closed-source drivers that will be necessary for your hardware to function correctly. This additional software is not always as easy to obtain on other Linux distributions.

Ubuntu's great popularity means that you can always find help from a large and active user community. If you encounter a problem or want to ask a question, you can turn to search engines - most likely, your problem has been solved before, and your question has already been answered clearly.

In addition, there are a huge number of applications available for Ubuntu, which are hosted not only in the standard Ubuntu repository, but also in third-party repositories (PPA). Many software developers provide support for Ubuntu. Valve's Steam gaming service page states: "Ubuntu is our favorite version of Linux." Applications such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Skype are officially supported on Ubuntu, but may not be supported on some other Linux distributions.

If you choose the LTS (Long Term Support) version, you will receive long-term support and will be able to accept security updates for 5 years from the release date. Ubuntu releases LTS versions of the distribution every two years. Naturally, not all Linux distributions offer such long support periods.

The abandonment of rather controversial projects such as the Unity 8 graphical shell, the Mir graphical server, the Ubuntu phone smartphone and the transition to standard Linux technologies, in particular the GNOME desktop and the Wayland graphical server, allow Ubuntu to strengthen its position in meeting the needs of users of the open platform.

There are a large number of derivative distributions of Ubuntu itself. They come with alternative desktop environments and application suites, but use the Ubuntu codebase. You can use derivative distributions experimentally - in this case, you retain the benefits of good technical support and application availability. For example, if you have an old computer that you want to revive, you can try Lubuntu. This distribution provides an LXDE desktop environment that is lighter than the full-featured original Ubuntu desktop.

Traditional desktop with Linux Mint

Download Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a very popular Linux distribution that is partly based on Ubuntu, but uses the Cinnamon or MATE desktop environments. Mint offers a familiar Windows desktop with a taskbar, program pop-up menu, and a list of open windows. Many conservative users who are not ready for drastic changes will be satisfied with the Cinnamon and MATE desktops.

If you prefer a traditional desktop, Linux Mint is a great choice.

Linux Mint used to differ from Ubuntu, offering various media codecs for a more convenient work out of the box. Now that Ubuntu now automates installation, Linux Mint installs them separately (but in a similar way). Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, which means you also get technical support and a ton of different applications.

Fedora - a modern system

Download Fedora Workstation

“Try Ubuntu or Mint” is a very common piece of advice. Indeed, these are excellent Linux distributions to start and learn from. If you're looking for something a little different, Fedora might be the way to go.

Fedora has several philosophical differences from Ubuntu, Mint and many other distributions.

Unlike others, Fedora is very sensitive to open source software only. For example, the system does not include closed source hardware drivers. You must find them yourself if necessary.

Fedora developers work directly with open source projects such as GNOME, making small changes and delivering the latest developments to their users. This distribution gives you the latest and greatest projects from the community.

The Fedora desktop is known as "Fedora Workstation" and is great for developers, providing quick access to the tools and features they need. On the other hand, anyone can use Fedora.

Fedora is the base for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat's long-term supported commercial Linux product. The Fedora Project releases new versions approximately every six months, and each release is supported by security updates for approximately 13 months.

If you want to get the free version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Red Hat, you can use CentOS. The differences lie in branding and commercial support.

What else can you try?

There are many other reliable Linux distributions that you can try. The DistroWatch website provides a ranking of popular distributions with a rating. Projects with good ratings are probably excellent products.

Some Linux distributions are developed and maintained by small teams of developers, such as Elementary OS. Elementary OS offers a simple and convenient desktop based on its own Pantheon environment. It looks good, but is seriously different from other Linux desktops.

Debian is an excellent Linux distribution and is actually the basis for Ubuntu, which in turn is the basis for many other Linux distributions. Debian is a good option if you want a stable environment, but Ubuntu is more modern and desktop-oriented.

Arch Linux is a good Linux distribution if you have some technical knowledge and want to become familiar with the workings and capabilities of Linux in detail. Arch is not recommended as your first Linux distribution. And be sure to get the manual before installing Arch.

Tails is a live boot environment that provides the highest level of privacy and security. Tails is used by Edward Snowden, as well as political dissidents and journalists who need maximum protection. The system automatically routes your web activity through the Tor network and provides other security utilities. Since Tails runs in a "live" environment, all traces of you will be erased upon reboot.

Based on How-To Geek

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Do you have an old computer? Did you keep your old computer in a closet somewhere? It's time to grab it and start using it. In this article, I will guide you through a list of several lightweight Linux distributions that you can install and use on older computers. All of these distributions require fewer resources, so they can run on older desktops or laptops. These Linux distributions are not just designed for older computers, you can use them on new computers too.

Now, why would you want to use lightweight distributions? Cause you don't want tons of packages or applications. Other major Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Fedora have a large number of packages already installed so you can use them to satisfy other applications' dependencies. While this is great, it is not necessary for users who just need a few applications on their computers. So let's get started:

5.Linux Lite

Linux for weak computers Linux Lite. It is based on Ubuntu LTS and is lightweight and easy to use.

If you are new to Linux and want to install Linux on your old hardware, then Linux Lite is a good choice for you.

Linux Lite uses XFCE desktop environment, which is lightweight and easy to use. I use Linux Lite to test applications, and installed it on my Intel PC (Core i3, 2GB RAM) and it works amazingly.

Min. requirements:CPU: 700MHz processor

RAM: 512mb ram

RESOLUTION: VGA screen 1024×768 resolution

MEDIA: DVD drive or USB port for ISO image

Latest updates and information for Linux Lite - Of. website.

Download page

4. Lubuntu

You've probably heard of Lubuntu. Lubuntu is small, fast and stable. The very first thing is desktop environment that comes with the box - LXDE.

LXDE is designed specifically for low hardware specs/old machines and is known for being extremely high performance.

Lubuntu also has fewer packages installed, making it lighter and faster than any other Ubuntu Linux-based distribution.

But Lubuntu can be used not only for old "hardware" but it can also be used on modern computers.

The latest version is Lubuntu 15.10, which is based on Ubuntu 15.10 "Wily Werewolf".

Min. characteristics:CPU:

Pentium II or Celeron CPU from PAE support

RAM: 128MB

HD: 2GB hard drive

Download page

3. Bodhi Linux

Bodhi Linux is another lightweight distribution based on Ubuntu.
It only comes with apps that are essential for almost everyone, such as, file manager, Internet browser, text editor And terminal etc.

Any required application can be installed on the go using the Application Center or Apt package manager.

Known for its extremely simple interface. Bodhi Linux produces LTS (Long Term Support) releases, so you can stay on the same version for up to 5 years.

Min. character:

Processor 500MHz
128 MB RAM
4 GB disk space

Download page

2. Puppy Linux

One of the lightest Linux distributions - Puppy Linux. It is small but powerful and can be used on newer computers. Puppy Linux latest ISO size from 200 to 300 MB. It comes with the OS core and some essential applications such as Firefox internet browser, Inkscape, VLC media player, etc. Puppy Linux loading into RAM, so applications launch very quickly from RAM. You can use a flash drive to boot in a live session and all applications will be loaded into RAM. So even if you remove the USB, the system should work fine. Puppy Linux uses J.W.M. or Openbox as a desktop environment.

It's a lightning fast environment and you can customize it to your liking.

Min. requirements 500 MHz processor

128 MB RAM

512 MB of free hard drive space to create an additional save file

Download page

1. Tiny Core

Even now, modern text editors are more than this fully customizable operating system. Her size 16MB with a graphical interface! You can install it ondying car! It comes with a very small call. packages and therefore requires fewer resources to run. But "going" with multiple apps doesn't mean you can't install any other apps. You can of course install your favorite applications if you need.

Latest version Tiny Core is Tiny Core 7.0. Tiny Core available in three versions, Core, TinyCore And CorePlus. The kernel weighs 11 MB and only has a CLI (command line interface). Recommended for advanced users who are familiar with the CLI. The second kernel, which is 16 MB in size and has kernel extensions plus X/GUI for a dynamic FLTK/FLWM graphical desktop environment. Finally, the third CorePlus its size is 116 MB and it is an installation image. It comes with a kernel and system configuration tools. Recommended for beginners.

Download page

Home -> MyLDP -> Thematic catalog -> Hardware

Original: The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
Author: Vivek Gite
Date: June 9, 2010
Free translation: Alexey Dmitriev
Translation date: July 9, 2010

Linux supports almost all hardware used in laptops. However, problems still occur. This article explains what to look for when buying a Linux laptop.

Why do you need a laptop?

You must give yourself the answer to this question in order to understand what kind of laptop you need. For example, if you are going to do regular office work, surf the Internet and use email, then a mid-range laptop will be fine for you.

Thus, it is worth thinking about the following questions:

1. How much are you willing to spend?
2. What size will your laptop screen be (13″, 15″ or 17″)?
3. What tasks will you solve using your laptop? (Internet, system administration, software development, games, and so on).
4. How many hours should your new laptop run on battery?
5. What optical media are you going to work with? Do you want to watch movies on DVD or Blu ray? Do you want to record to DVD?
6. Do you want to have a full-fledged mobile workstation with all the properties of a desktop computer?
7. Keep in mind that you need a high-end laptop for gaming. Since Linux has very limited support for many games, you will also have to install MS-Windows on your laptop.

In short, you need to think through everything carefully and weigh it.

CPU

The processor is the brain of your laptop. Linux supports all types of processors used for laptops. Here are the most common ones:

• Intel Atom
• Intel Core 2 Duo
• Intel Core i5 Duo
• Intel Core i7 Duo or Quad
• AMD Athlon 64 Mobile
• AMD Turion 64 X2

Speeds from 1.3GHz to 2.2GHz or more. The number of processor cores plays an important role. Obviously, a four-core (Quad) processor performs calculations faster than a dual-core one. This will allow you to run more applications at the same time and receive a response from them faster. Intel Core 2 Duo and AMD Turion 64 II (dual core) processors are very popular in laptops. My advice to you: get a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit Linux distribution for it.

Video card and X server

The question of choosing a video card is the central question when buying a laptop. You should buy a laptop whose video card is fully supported by Linux, otherwise, on an expensive 3D hardware you will only get a 2D and standard-sized display.

Nvidia has good support with a proprietary driver that can provide 3D acceleration at 24-bit color. On the other hand, ATI provides its products with free drivers. My advice: go to the driver developer's website and make sure that your video card model has full support for 3D acceleration. Here are some addresses:

Look on X.org and make sure your video card is supported.

Cheap video cards

The following video cards have low performance and full support for Linux:

• Intel GMA 4500MHD
• Intel 945GM
• Intel 950 GMA
• Intel X3100 GMA
• NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M (256MB)

Video cards are average and expensive

The following mid- and high-end graphics cards (used for 3D video games, Linux application development, or professional graphics work) are fully supported by Linux:

• NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M (1024 MB)
• NVIDIA Quadro FX 2800M (1024 MB)
• NVIDIA Quadro NVS 3100M (256 or 512 MB)
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300MGS
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300M
• Intel GMA X4500 HD
• ATI FirePro M7740 (1024 MB)
• ATI Radeon HD 3650 (512 MB)
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD4650 (1024 MB)

Also, make sure that the laptop has the ability to connect an additional monitor. This is convenient for watching movies, playing games, and making presentations.

Memory

Random access memory, or RAM, also improves the performance of your laptop. Virtual machines (VMWare or VirtualBox), image editors (Gimp) and video editors are especially demanding in terms of memory. For most applications, 2 to 4 GB of memory is sufficient. Some high-end laptops have up to 16GB of memory, and Linux is able to use this with 64-bit distributions and PAE.

HDD

The hard drive stores all your information, and it is also used, most often, to load the operating system.

A classic hard drive stores information on magnetic disks that spin at high speed. This drive is cheaper, but noisier. Solid State Drives (SSD) are more expensive. They have no moving parts, which ensures:

• Performance (twice faster than classic)
• Less weight
• Silence (nothing to make noise)
• Reduced energy consumption
• Faster loading

My advice: prefer an SSD drive.

Using the USB or Firewire ports, you can connect additional media, including other hard drives.

Optical discs

Linux supports DVD, Blu ray and other optical formats. This allows you to play and burn DVD/CD in most applications. But if you want to watch movies from HD DVD/Blu Ray discs, then you should look for a Blu Ray drive that can also read and write DVD discs. However, technical copyright protection measures (the AACS 'Digital Rights Management' system) are trying to prevent the use of free software for watching films on Blu-Ray and HD DVD. To play Blu ray you will need the latest version of the media player and DumpHD to decrypt the protection of these discs. Watch "How to play Blu-Ray and HD DVD videos" under Ubuntu Linux.

Power management: Sleep mode and hibernation.

Linux supports both APM (Advanced Power Management) and ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). The latter allows you to save the system to disk for its subsequent rapid deployment. To do this, use the swsusp (Software Suspend) program, which works with 2.6 series kernels. However, some laptops have problems with swsusp. You may have to recompile the kernel to support swsusp. When purchasing, make sure that the laptop has an ACPI-compatible BIOS, then the likelihood of problems will be reduced.

You may need to download patches and programs from manufacturers or third parties in order for sleep and hibernation modes to work properly.

Wireless networks 802.11

Most laptops come with an 802.11 (a/b/g/N) wireless card. Not all of these cards are supported by Linux. Therefore, you should choose Intel Pro series cards, such as Atheros cards. I advise you to search the Internet for information on drivers for your card, or go to the database (a more or less complete list of wireless devices with data on chipsets and support for Linux).

Biometric fingerprint scanner

A fingerprint scanner is a security system for your data. If you work for the government, police, secret industries, or other organizations where data security is a top priority, you'll need one. Use Linux PAM plugins for fingerprint authentication for KDM, GDM, sudo, su and other services. The following laptops have been tested to work with Linux PAM:

• IBM ThinkPad T and X series (some models). See list
• Dell Latitude (select models)
• HP Pavilion (select models)

Fn key

On many keyboards, especially compact ones, this key is used to quickly enable or disable audio, touchpad, display, and similar settings.

This key works on a number of laptops from well-known manufacturers (Dell, IBM).

Ports

Laptops usually have the following ports:

• USB ≈ has good support under Linux
• FireWire ≈ may not work out of the box. In most cases, you have to configure the kernel to access Zip drives, hard drives, and optical drives through this port. Support is limited. See FireWire drivers.
• eSATA is an external SATA port that allows you to connect drives directly to the SATA bus. This connection is faster than USB or Firewire.

Sound

Most sound cards work well under Linux. You can listen to all types of audio files, such as: .mp3, .wav, .ogg and many others. Linux distributions have many different playback and mp3 players. You can also listen to audio CDs.

Docking Station (Port Replicator)

This station allows you to connect regular computer peripherals (monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, Palm Pilot, etc.) to your laptop. Most stations work out of the box. But it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer about this.

Ethernet (NIC)

Most network cards (Intel and Broadcom) are supported by Linux. You can check the Linux PCI ids database for support for your specific card. In rare cases, you have to reconfigure the kernel to enable support.

How to check a Linux laptop before purchasing?

When going to the store, take a Linux Live CD with you: Knoppix, Ubuntu or Fedora. Ask the seller to boot your laptop from this disk and make sure it works. Check if the graphical desktop is working, if there is sound, connect to the Internet in various ways, and so on. If you are satisfied with the result, then buy a laptop.

Linux is all about selecting different options. Personally, I use Redhat v5.x 64 bit at work and Ubuntu Linux 64 bit at home. I also recommend:

• Ubuntu Linux (any) ≈ For the average user, emphasis on convenience and ease of installation and use.
• Fedora Linux ≈ Another distribution for the average user.

  Uses rpm packages. Popular among system administrators of both Windows and UNIX.

• OpenSuse Linux ≈ Easy to use and certified for HP/IBM laptops.
• Debian Linux ≈ for advanced users, system administrators and developers.
• Slackware Linux ≈ One of the oldest distributions. It is loved by system administrators, BSD people and developers.

Laptop manufacturers

Now you know how to choose a laptop and what to pay special attention to (wireless network, video card, Ethernet). Here are some laptop models that are fully compatible with Linux and their websites.

Do you have a good running Linux laptop? Share with us in the comments to this article.

Note ed.: In Russia, laptops with pre-installed GNU\Linux OS are sold by Linux Center.

In addition to this article, you can view excerpts from the book “Netbooks: The Missing Manual” (author J.D. Biersdorfer, translation: V. Kostromin), which discusses similar problems in relation to choosing a netbook.

Modern operating systems are well optimized. This thesis has been confirmed many times by Windows 10, which runs on the lowest-power PCs, and various Linux distributions aimed at speed lovers. The user today does not have that much choice - some a priori do not want to give up Windows. Others, in search of speed and reliability, look towards less popular operating systems.

Which operating system will be optimal for a laptop?

For a laptop, the speed of programs is especially important - machines of this class are not as powerful as their desktop counterparts. And that’s why well-optimized software comes out on top. Let's look at some alternative options.

Numerous builds of Linux-based operating systems definitely deserve attention. In addition to Ubuntu, which is beloved by home users, there are about 300 different distributions, a third of which are well optimized for mobile computers. Let's pay attention to Linux-based OS options for a weak laptop.

This small and beautiful operating system gravitates towards macOS. The appearance of the start screen, as well as a nice launcher bar, makes Elementary OS a clear choice for Apple fans. It uses its own shell called Pantheon. This means that the system cannot be confused with another popular distribution. Except with macOS.

Elementary performs well on a PC with 1 GB of RAM and a low-power processor (from 1 GHz). Therefore, it can be recommended to all owners of old computers who envy the beauty of new operating systems.

The Elementary distribution is easy to set up and use. It can be accused of considerable consumption of resources and increased consumption of battery capacity. There are a lot of reviews online from users that Elementary is not fully ready. But overall it's reliable enough for most everyday tasks.

This Linux release has not yet gained much attention from the community. It’s quite strange if you note its obvious “+”:

1. The system is quite fast and stable.
2. A good set of built-in applications (including cloud ones).
3. Low energy consumption.

The disadvantages of Peppermint include its not entirely modern and standard interface. This is unlikely to prevent you from choosing it if the laptop's resources are used only for work.

The system requirements for the build are low. She needs at least 512 MB of RAM (more is better), at least 4 GB of hard drive space and Internet access.

The most popular release of Linux has served well to popularize free software since 2004. They started talking a lot about this system a few years later, when Canonical sent out a free CD with Ubuntu to everyone.

Unfortunately, in 2011, Canonical stopped supporting Ubuntu Netbook, a release specifically for low-power laptops and netbooks. But Ubuntu to this day boasts good (in general) suitability for weak computers and laptops. It uses more battery power than the notorious Windows 7, but is slightly faster and supports more hardware.

The expandability and appearance of the system are also noteworthy. Ubuntu is easy to customize, although in earlier releases (prior to version 14) it was possible to configure many more settings than now.

With the hardware requirements, everything is not so smooth:

• The standard shell requires at least 2 GB of RAM. Third-party ones (Openbox, Mate) can get by with half a gigabyte.
• It is better to use a dual-core processor with a frequency of 1.3 GHz or more.

Linux can be used as the main system without any problems if you purchased a weak laptop without an OS and do not want to spend a considerable amount on a Windows license. Or you are disgusted by piracy. But keep in mind that compatibility issues and the relatively small number of applications for these operating systems do not allow us to recommend them to everyone.

Microsoft Windows

So much has been said about this system as about no other. De facto, the world's best compatibility with programs and games, a huge selection of drivers and fast operation. This is complemented by a beautiful interface, as well as comparative simplicity for a beginner.

Technical requirements are relatively low:

• Processor - single core, from 1 GHz.
• 1 GB RAM.
• The OS occupies 16 GB on the hard drive.
• Requires the video system to support at least DirectX 9.

ADVICE. "Seven" is well optimized for working on laptops and even tablets. If you got it licensed, bundled with an old mobile PC, it hardly makes sense to “transfer” to another OS. If only for...

If you managed to catch the free upgrade to Windows 10 in the summer of 2016, we sincerely envy you. “Ten” develops the basic ideas of Windows 7, and this can be seen literally in everything:

1. High loading and operating speed (especially with SSD).
2. An even more beautiful interface (although there is a lot of controversy about convenience).
3. Optimal support for almost all existing programs for Windows.
4. Improved (compared to 8.1) touch mode.
5. Regular security updates.

At the same time, Windows 10 works well on computers that can barely handle Windows 7. Today, the system has been tested enough and has gotten rid of the childhood diseases of early releases. A significant drawback is the excessive curiosity of developers - the OS collects a lot of your data and honestly warns about it. If this is not a problem for you, one of the best operating systems of our time is at your service.

conclusions

We looked at the most suitable, in our opinion, systems for weak laptops. Only macOS remained outside the scope of attention - but it can be classified more as a universal solution (for all types of PCs).

What OS did you choose for your laptop? Would you like to offer your own version of a “somewhat better” operating system? Then welcome to the discussions!