What do you do with your old computers? The one which once had good a hardware configuration but now potentially outdated.
Why not revive your old computer with Linux? I am going to list the best lightweight Linux distributions that you can use on old computers.
Some of the distributions mentioned here are also a part of the best Linux distributions for beginners. So, you might want to check that if you’re new to the Linux universe.
While our focus is on older computers, you can also use most of these lightweight Linux distros on relatively new hardware. This will give you a better performance if you use your computer for resource-heavy usage such as video editing on Linux.
Let’s see which lightweight Linux distribution you can use.
Puppy Linux
Support for 32-bit systems: Yes (older versions)
Puppy Linux can be booted live with either a CD/DVD/USB.
Puppy Linux uses JWM and Openbox window managers by default which makes it very easy on system resources.
Because Puppy Linux is built to be fast, it does not come along with bundles of applications. It does have some basic apps, though. In other words, it can get your work done if you want to utilize a really old computer.
Minimum hardware requirements for Puppy Linux:
- RAM: 256 MB
- CPU: 600 Hz Processor
Tiny Core
Probably, technically, the most lightweight distro there is. However, it isn’t a complete Linux distribution for an average desktop user.
Tiny Core simply incorporates the fundamental core of an OS which includes the kernel and the root filesystem. In other words, it features the foundation of a desktop OS.
If you simply want a system to boot up coupled with a wired Internet connection, you can get started using it. But, you should not expect proper hardware support out of the box.
So, if you’re someone who knows how to set up or compile tools necessary with Tiny Core Linux to make it a complete desktop experience, you can give it a try.
Minimum hardware requirements for Tiny Core Linux:
- RAM: 64 MB (128 MB recommended)
- CPU: i486DX
Also, if you’re curious about similar tiny/smallest Linux distros for your old hardware, here are some suggestions to take a look at:
