Lightweight operating systems for older PCs. Linux operating system for weak computers: installation and configuration details. Android-x86: mobile operating system for desktop PCs

This is probably the best selection operating systems, the existence of which you might not even know, but all of them are worth taking note of, and maybe even using them. We hope that each of you will like this selection, as they can be used whether you are an office worker, a manager, a student, or just a home hobbyist. The axles are actually worth taking note of, as they are quite functional. We present to your attention a list of 7 operating systems, which you might not even have heard of. You can download operating systems by following the links. Check them out and share your opinion in the comments.

If you are familiar with any other “handicraft” distributions, please do not hide them, share them with other visitors!

Slax is a modern, small, portable operating system based on Linux, consisting of modules and very attractively designed. Despite its small size, the system offers you a wide selection of pre-installed programs for everyday use. In addition, it comes with a very beautiful interface and useful recovery tools for administrators.

Over the past months, quite old budget laptops and netbooks from various manufacturers have fallen into my hands several times.Inexpensive devices manufactured in 2008–2012have not yet turned into museum exhibits, so they are unlikely to please fans of old hardware. On the other hand, the latest OS and the most modern versions of browsers on such equipment are virtually unusable. So the question arises: what operating systems should I use to give my old laptop a second life? There may be many answers, in this case I will talk about my experience with inexpensive devices of previous generations.

What are we working with?

Of course, it is impossible to test all existing equipment models. I will briefly mention which models of netbooks and laptops I have encountered recently (photos taken from the Internet, since the devices were given to the owners):

Acer Aspire One AOA 150

Screen – 8.9 inches, Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz processor, RAM capacity – 1.5 GB (originally 1 GB, the owner replaced the memory stick), HDD capacity – 160 GB.

Acer Aspire One D270

Screen – 10 inches, Intel Atom N2600 1.6 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, HDD – 320 GB.

Lenovo ThinkPad SL500

Screen – 15.4 inches, Intel Celeron T3100 1.9 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, HDD – 320 GB (originally 160, the owner replaced the hard drive).

Dell Inspiron 1545

Screen – 15.6 inches, Intel Pentium 4300 2.1 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, HDD – 250 GB.

HP ProBook 4525 s

Screen – 15.6 inches, AMD Athlon II P360 2.3 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, HDD – 320 GB.

As you can see, everything here is modest: not a single MacBook, budget equipment. The more pressing is the issue of choosing an acceptable OS.

Let's consider the options

When I began to consider possible operating system options, I initially decided to discard unacceptable solutions. There were two such solutions:

1. Installing new versions of Windows. The reason is simple: laptop owners lack a license. I have a negative attitude towards piracy, and device owners did not want to buy a new license.
2. Installation of “exotic” and server OS. It is possible to install and configure DragonFlyBSD or ReactOS, but then users will have to somehow interact with these systems themselves, which can be difficult.

So, based on the available equipment, I have identified the following possible options:

1. “Tuning” of pre-installed outdated versions of Windows (XP, Vista, 7);
2. Installation of outdated versions of Linux distributions;
3. Installation of new versions of Linux distributions (with lightweight GUI versions).

Let us briefly list the advantages and disadvantages of these options.

“Tuning” outdated versions of Windows

The Acer Aspire AOA 150 netbook comes pre-installed with Windows XP, the D270 and ProBook 4525s come with Windows 7, and the Thinkpad SL500 comes with Windows Vista initially (the owner changed the system to Windows XP). These operating systems are fully functional on this hardware, but the subjective “responsiveness” of the OS left much to be desired. At the request of the owners, I reinstalled the OS on the AOA150, ThinkPad SL500 and ProBook 4525s while maintaining the license. The owners of these laptops used specific software that only worked in Windows, so I only made a small “tuning” of the operating systems. On all three laptops, only the most necessary programs were left in startup, the disks were defragmented, and some previously installed programs were replaced with lighter and free analogues. Also, in two out of three cases, the size of the paging file was increased. In the Acer Aspire AOA 150, I first replaced the hard drive with a more spacious one (I found a Seagate ST500LT012 with a capacity of 500 GB, in perfect condition, it worked for only 300 hours). The cooler in the ProBook 4525s laptop has been replaced. The ThinkPad SL500 was disassembled and cleaned of dust, and I also replaced the thermal paste. After these software and hardware improvements, the devices began to work a little faster and more stable.

The disadvantage of this solution is obvious: Windows XP no longer receives security updates, and Windows 7 only receives some important fixes. In addition, some new versions of software cannot work on older operating systems (this is especially noticeable in Windows XP, where the latest versions of browsers no longer work).

Installing legacy versionsLinux

The Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop that came to me was purchased without an operating system, and the owner independently installed Windows XP SP3 on the device. The laptop was used infrequently; judging by the operating time of the HDD, the computer only worked for five months (the hard drive was not replaced). The laptop owner wanted a more modern operating system. There were no special wishes: just to be able to read e-books (fb2, pdf, djvu), check email and listen to music. The owner of the device is not interested in messengers and video communications (by the way, this Dell model does not have a webcam), and does not use specific Windows programs. So I suggested that the laptop owner try Linux.

A slightly outdated, but quite functional Debian 8 distribution was installed, the desktop environment was XFCE. You may ask: why is the old version installed? Everything is simple here: the software versions in this distribution are well tested, so the likelihood of “catching” unknown bugs is extremely low. The only significant problem that arose after installation was Wi-Fi not working (resolved by installing a more recent firmware-b43-installer package from the Ubuntu repositories). There were also minor problems with adjusting the brightness (the system did not respond to pressing the function keys). This issue was fixed by adding the blacklist video line to the module blacklist (/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist).

In general, the system turned out to be quite responsive, the only “heavy” component is Mozilla Firefox (the binary ESR version is installed). Knowing that the browser can “get into” swap if many tabs are open, I created a 4 GB swap partition during the system installation. To solve possible problems, TeamViewer was installed, which has never been needed yet.

The chosen solution is also not without its drawbacks: in order to take advantage of the latest versions of the kernel and programs, the user will sooner or later have to update the entire system. However, the owner of the laptop is still satisfied with the installed versions of the main programs; the user visits trusted sites on the Internet and does not experiment with the system on his own, so this drawback cannot be called critical.

Installing new versionsLinux

The owner of an Acer Aspire One D270 wanted to get acquainted with UNIX-like operating systems. I offered him a compromise: leave Windows 7 Starter on one partition of the hard drive, and install a modern Linux distribution on the other. As it turned out, such a precaution was not superfluous.

The Lubuntu distribution with the “light” LXDE desktop environment was chosen. The installation went smoothly, the wireless connection worked immediately, and overall the system’s performance did not raise any questions. But, unfortunately, she did not cause them only in me. The owner of the netbook is a movie buff, so he wanted to watch movies on this device. Unfortunately, support for the Intel GMA3600 video card in Linux cannot be called acceptable. If in Windows 7 this netbook at least supports acceleration of 2D and 3D graphics and can play movies with a resolution of 720p, then in Lubuntu watching a movie resembled a slide show. At the same time, the load on the processor during viewing reached 100%, and the netbook became noticeably warm.

I was also not pleased with the battery life: in Windows the netbook worked for about 3 hours without connecting to the network, in Lubuntu - on average a little more than one and a half hours. After installing and configuring the TLP utility, this figure increased to 1 hour 50 minutes, but it was not possible to “squeeze” more out of the system (the owner did not want to replace the worn-out battery with a new one).

Of course, there were also pleasant moments - the Lubuntu interface quickly responded to user actions, LibreOffice, installed instead of a set of Abiword and Gnumeric, worked more stable than in Windows. In general, the owner of the device has not lost interest in Linux, but to watch movies and run small games he left Windows7 in dual boot.

Drawing conclusions

Working with outdated laptop computers led me to certain conclusions.

In 2018, inexpensive laptops and netbooks from 6-10 years ago can be used for home and office needs. Problems may arise with browser performance (hello to the developers of modern websites) and video. A competent choice of OS can smooth out these problems a little, but still, computer obsolescence is inevitable, so you shouldn’t expect miracles.

The choice of OS is always subjective, but in general, some recommendations can be formulated for outdated devices:

1. Installing the latest versions of Windows (8, 10) is usually pointless. Even if the system works, the performance will be unsatisfactory.
2. If your computer runs Windows XP, Vista or 7, pay attention to the selection of software. Look for lightweight and free analogues of paid programs, try antiviruses that are not too resource-demanding. And don't forget: after all, older systems are not very well protected from some modern malware.
3. If you want to install Linux, the first thing to consider is how well the system supports your hardware. Take the time to search the Internet for reviews from users who have previously installed Linux on similar laptops (especially English-language reviews - there are always more of them). Also take a look at lightweight desktop environments: XFCE, LXDE, LXQt. Heavier environments (eg KDE5) may not be suitable for you. As for specific distributions, I won’t risk giving any unambiguous advice. Choose what is more convenient for you or a Linux friend who agrees to help you with the setup.

So, if you have a capable old economy laptop, it may still be quite useful in 2018. However, unfortunately, you shouldn’t expect outstanding performance, since modern programs have become “heavier” and websites are consuming more and more memory.

These groups have been waging an almost equal struggle for market monopolization for a long time, and this struggle is expected for a long time - it is difficult to single out a favorite in it. Let's try to figure out which product is of the highest quality.

Windows

At the moment, there are three current versions of the OS of this corporation - 7, 8, 10. Windows XP has already gone out of fashion - now it is installed mainly on old computers. The newest version is Windows 10, but not the most popular version from the company. Windows 7 is firmly in the ranking of the most used systems: 52% of personal computers in the world are serviced by it.

Windows operating systems are optimized and work stable on most computers, with XP and 7 being the most preferred on older versions. Windows is not the most secure product, so if you use Windows OS, you need to take care of installing licensed security software.

Many users compare operating systems based on their interface. Windows is not inferior to its competitors - a large selection of themes for data visualization, window animation and translucency create a pleasant contrast. Newer versions of Windows have retained elements of the very first systems from this manufacturer, which attracts the user.

One of the key advantages is the ability to install programs to perform a wide variety of tasks. This applies to office programs and gaming applications, as well as other applied areas.

Linux

Here, manufacturers decided to release many versions that have a special purpose. Ubuntu is the most widely recognized Linux product. It has become popular with Linux because it is the most optimal for home use.

The Linux product is unique in that you can change everything in the system settings in such a way that the system will be completely rebuilt taking into account the PC parameters. This fact ensures the highest performance, and in this component Linux is the undisputed leader among OS manufacturers. Linux also has the advantage of high reliability and security, since distribution kits provide many mechanisms for restricting access to user information.

As for the appearance, it can be customized in any way. Linux has many variations for choosing an interface - from simple and strict to complex and colorful, with a large number of effects. One of the most important details for Linux is that in order to manage it effectively, the user must learn to work on the command line.

Many professional programming applications are written on the Linux kernel. But as for the choice of applications for performing applied tasks, everything here is not as rich as that of competitors.

MacOS

The “OS” itself appeared along with the appearance of the first products from Apple, and accordingly, it is used on these devices. Currently, the latest version of MacOS is version 10.

MacOS are oriented to a certain hardware standard, so their performance is the highest among all available operating systems. It is worth noting that the high performance of MacOS systems is a distinctive feature - all products from this manufacturer are characterized by very stable and productive operation. MacOS systems are very reliable, the total number of virus programs on this platform is not very large, and there is no need to worry about installing additional security software.

Most users believe that MacOS is the most convenient and attractive operating system, judging by the user interface. The manufacturer pays a lot of attention to this component, and it is not surprising that they are superior to their competitors in this component. Developers use a huge range of technologies that are aimed at harmonizing and improving the appearance of controls. Interestingly, the company regularly requires developers of third-party software to use a design style that is as similar as possible to the standard Mac application style, so that users work in the new program in the same way as in the familiar one.

DOS

There are few users left who remember these operating system developers. It must be remembered that they became innovators in the field of OS development, inventing the entire operation of the operating system. Yes, competitors have moved on, improving all the developments of DOS, but the developers of the first OS have now begun to come up with innovations for previous developments. Since the beginning of the 2000s, DOS has released a couple of OS emulators for PCs, but they were not recognized by users due to low performance and the lack of most of the necessary characteristics for modern OSs.

However, DOS remains necessary for many users. DOS software is the best option for those users who want to use old computers with new applications. To do this, the developers launched FreeDOS and DJGPP, which included several programs that are popular today - a file manager, text editor, web browser, email client, etc. In other words, DOS products are still suitable for running on older PCs.

Safety and reliability

In general, Windows, Linux and MacOS compete for the title of the best OS group - DOS has already stopped competing with more modern developments. In terms of reliability and safety, the most optimal are Linux and Apple products. The best Linux distribution for this component is Ubuntu. Experts believe that systems with a Linux kernel are preferably used as a keeper of particularly important information, since the protection against unauthorized access to information stored in the system is very strong. By the way, users themselves need to be very careful when assigning passwords and long paths to their necessary files - otherwise they may lose them.

Unlike Linux and MacOS distributions, Windows is clearly inferior in reliability and security. The Windows product still remains with the title of the most unreliable operating system. Third-party security software is released regularly, but system protection is at the lowest level, and if you value the security of your information, Windows should not be chosen as the OS for your PC. As for MacOS, security here is also at the highest level.

The most gaming system

As mentioned above, in terms of the number of programs in different directions, Windows leads, and in the gaming component this developer is the undoubted leader. Quite a lot of gaming applications are also produced for Linux, since these “operating systems” are also quite popular in the world, for example, everyone’s favorite Steam can be found here. But in the end, in the total volume of gaming applications, Windows will outperform both Linux and MacOS combined. The system itself has good enough characteristics for the smooth and error-free operation of gaming applications on any computer, but, however, this rarely happens.

If you look at Windows distributions, then users are very cautious about calling Windows 7 the most preferable for games, despite the fact that three new versions of the system have already been released! Of course, the “seven” is a proven system, and therefore it is given greater preference by users. But this won’t last long - within a year and a half the whole world will be talking about the fact that the eighth and tenth versions of Windows are much better than the seventh in terms of gaming.

The simplest OS

If we take into account all the operating systems available in the world and choose the simplest one, the absolute champion here will be DOS systems. But if we talk specifically about the three giants of OS release at the present time, then Windows will again be ahead of everyone in simplicity. Simplicity can be different - banality of development, ease of use, etc. We are more interested in which systems are more convenient for users to work with. And most of them believe that Windows is the simplest operating system, starting from its very first versions.

Indeed, Windows is the simplest system to use, but very complex to develop. MacOS ranks second in ease of use, as noted by experts. Linux is the most complex system, but once you get used to it, you will never go back to, for example, the Windows family.

For weak PCs

Of course, here you should give preference to DOS! However, DOS is quite difficult to find now, therefore, Linux distributions with a lightweight desktop environment (LXDE, OpenBox, MATE, Xfce) are most suitable for weak PCs.

The most optimal distribution for use on weak PCs from the Microsoft family will be Windows XP. In fact, this OS is quite good in that it has good performance and an attractive interface. It is quite simple and quite suitable so that even on a weak PC you can play your favorite classic games.

The downside is that XP is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and by installing this system, you risk picking up a lot of viruses and Trojans.

This means that if you actively use the Internet, without additional security software, your PC will not be able to work for a long time. So, think carefully about choosing an operating system before installing it on your weak PC.

Availability of software installation

Once again, Windows is the undisputed leader here! After all, the products from this developer were the very first to appear on the market, and therefore they are sold instantly. Nowadays, only the lazy do not develop programs and applications for Windows, which means that the software will always be available for these operating systems. But it is important to remember: due to the low degree of security of the Windows OS, you must be extremely careful when installing software on your computer. Of course, you need to use licensed software, and if you don’t have one, then know: you are taking a risk by installing unwanted programs on your PC with a low level of protection.

Which system to choose in the end?

Recently, system developers have done a great job of improving OS versions. Of course, MacOS will have a minimal market share and popularity, since it is a relatively new product. In terms of characteristics, it is not inferior to Windows and Linux. If this product continues to be in great demand, MacOS could soon become a sales leader.

Linux is an excellent system for office PCs and for computers that are used for programming and administration. They have high performance, are extremely safe and reliable to use, but they are too narrow-profile, so these “OSes” are not widely used.

Windows is the clear winner in almost all respects among its competitors, and the popularity of the product is understandable. For modern computers, Windows will be the optimal OS; everyone chooses the version themselves. It depends on the user which OS to install - if the computer is needed for work, it is better to install Linux, if for games - Windows. It is necessary to determine all the parameters that you want to get more from the OS - and in this case you will be able to make the right and informed choice!

According to Roskomstat, Windows has 84% ​​popularity among Russian personal computer users. Linux is ahead of MacOS by 3% - 9% versus 6%. The situation will change if there are serious reasons for attractiveness among users, and system developers are continuously working in this area.

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 provides a good indication of what kind of 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

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

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 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

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

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.

Today, many users have old computers or laptops. Sometimes they are a secondary device in the home for typical tasks such as watching videos or typing. Microsoft requires you to use Windows 10, which does not always work comfortably on old hardware. This article discusses which GNU/Linux system to choose for a weak laptop or computer.

Selection criteria

Before choosing a GNU/Linux distribution, you need to answer two main questions:

1. Are you ready to use GNU/Linux?
2. What tasks will be solved on the selected device?

The answer to the first question is usually no, because most people are used to Windows, although they may not know what they're up against. The fact is that any GNU/Linux distribution, no matter how similar it is to a Microsoft product, has many differences. For the average user, this will not be a big problem - he will still be able to use the browser, listen to music and print documents. You'll just have to get used to the new interface. With more study of the system, the difference with Windows will be felt more and more.

In fact, there are very few distributions that are only suitable for powerful computers. And it’s not even about the OS itself, but about the graphical shell that will be installed with it. Any GNU/Linux system will run faster than Windows on older hardware. Therefore, it is worth deciding on the tasks that, to a greater extent, depend on the computer itself, and then move on to choosing a system.

The main criteria when choosing a GNU/Linux distribution include:

• processor architecture. It is important that the OS matches the architecture, otherwise it will not even install;
• RAM consumption. For weak hardware, this is a particularly important point, since it is necessary to have the maximum possible amount of free memory to run programs;
• accompaniment. There are many good distributions that are already outdated and the developers do not release updates for them. In such cases, there is a risk of having an unclosed “hole” in the system, which will result in an insufficient level of security. For active operating systems, new “patches” are always released in the form of patches, and for them you can find support on the Internet on the issue of interest.

Specifying the remaining components of the computer by type of video card is not so important, since they only limit the execution of specific user tasks, and not the entire OS.

Pay attention! Having an active Internet connection makes it easy to install the necessary program or ask for help from the community.

TOP 7 GNU/Linux distributions

This list includes those systems that have proven their stability in practice with the slightest user intervention in their operation.

Brief overview

It is worth saying a few words about each of the presented operating systems.

Lubuntu

Ubuntu operating system with a pre-installed LXDE graphical shell (a transition to LXQt is expected). By default, it lacks visual effects when working with windows, and also reduces functionality, which significantly reduces the requirements for computer resources.

After installation, the system occupies 3 GB of hard disk space. It is recommended to allocate at least 10 GB for the root partition for installing programs and system logging.

Puppy Linux

A very lightweight distribution that requires only 64 MB of RAM. The minimum computer requirements are a simple window manager. In fact, this is not an ordinary system, but a set of distributions based on Ubuntu and Slackware of different versions.

A special feature of Puppy Linux is that it works from a flash drive without installation with the ability to save a session. In this case, the operating speed will be much faster than from a disk, due to the use of RAM.

antiX

The system is also classified as too low-demanding because it needs 256 MB of RAM, any processor and up to 3 GB of root partition size to operate. Based on Debian and has several window managers to choose from.

Like Puppy Linux, antiX can run from a flash drive and save changes.

Damn Small Linux

Record holder for minimum computer requirements. It needs 16 MB of RAM and ~50 MB of space for the root. Based on Debian.

Despite such a small size, the kit includes a music player, browser, text and graphics editors and other frequently used programs. The only distribution kit presented that is no longer supported by the developer.

An Ubuntu-based distribution that has long held the top spot on Distrowatch for popularity among GNU/Linux. It is easy to use for beginners, which is why it also has some disadvantages such as the optional (and not mandatory, as in most OS) security update capability.

The most common edition is with the Cinnamon graphical shell. Despite its nice appearance compared to the systems reviewed, it does not require many resources.

Fedora

The distribution is an "experimental platform" for Red Hat and CentOS, as it installs the latest versions of the software. The system supports several desktop environments, but the most lightweight is LXQt.

Like Debian systems, global updates are released on Fedora a couple of times a year, which means you don't have to worry about your hard drive being full.

The clear leader of Distrowatch based on Arch Linux, supporting many graphical shells (including custom builds). It's easier to say that GNOME consumes the most resources relative to others. Even KDE now doesn't require as much RAM as GNOME.

Manjaro is the only distribution in this top that officially runs exclusively on the x86_64 architecture. In general, i386 processors are already rare, so it is difficult to find hardware on which the system will not run. The only obvious drawback is the presence of at least 1 GB of RAM.

Conclusions

To choose GNU/Linux for a weak laptop or computer, you must first decide on the typical tasks that will be performed on the device. Next, you need to select the distribution that will be suitable for the hardware, at least in terms of RAM and supported processor architecture.