Linux Mint 18.3 LTS

original article

2017-Nov-27

LTS = Long Term Support - until 2021

• being released with Cinnamon and MATE user interfaces

• still 64-bit and 32-bit versions for both

• ISO files about 1.8gb

• hybrid ISO images that can be burned to dvd or usb stick for booting and installation

• can be booted to Live desktop for testing and running without installation to make sure it works with your hardware before installation

• need to run update after installation

• has Firefox Quantum browser

summary from: How to choose a Linux distro for your old PC

1. Mint
   

   • Cinnamon - most users
   • Mate - more old-fashioned user interface
   • KDE - being eliminated
   • Xfce - older computers - lightweight version that runs smoothly on slower hardware

2. Elementary OS
   

   • user-friendly choice
   • recommends at least Core i3
   • donationware

3. Tails
   

   • privacy-obsessed - routes all traffic through Tor
   • anonymous and invisible

4. KXStudio
   

   • audio-production
   • custom audio apps and utilities
   • access to both Debian and Ubuntu software repositories
   • can still do everything a traditional distrution can

5. Zorin OS
   

   • a Windows and Mac lookalike
   • in Windows view - got Start button and Notification area in right lower corner
   • comes with Wine - for installing and running many Windows programs
   • Ubuntu is underneath

or 4 Best Linux Distros for Older Hardware

2017-Oct-6 article

original article

1. Linux Lite
   

   • site
   • built on latest Ubuntu LTS release
   • LibreOffice
   • Xfce desktop environment
   • Firefox
   • GIMP
   • min system requirements:
     • 700mhz cpu
     • 512mb RAM
     • VGA screen 1024x768 resolution
     • DVD drive or USB port to install ISO image
     • at least 5gb free disk space

2. Bodhi Linux
   

   • site
   • Moksha desktop environment
   • built on latest Ubuntu LTS release
   • limited number of apps included - Midori browser - more can be retreived from their Appcenter
   • min system requirements:
     • 500mhz cpu
     • 256mb RAM
     • 4gb free disk space
   • recommended system requirements:
     • 1.0ghz cpu
     • 512mb RAM
     • 10gb free disk space

3. Puppy Linux
   

   • site
   • 3 categories of Puppy Linux
     • official - general purpose
     • for specific needs and appearances (also general purpose)
     • unofficial derivatives - target specific purposes
   • has releases based on Ubuntu and Slackware
   • ISO 224mb
   • has AbiWord, Gnumeric, mtPaint plus other apps
   • can run on:
     • 333mz cpu
     • 256mb RAM

4. Lubuntu
   

   • site
   • part of Ubuntu family
   • LXDE desktop
   • has Firefox, AbiWord, Gnumeric, mtPaint plus other apps
   • can work on computers up about 10 years old
   • min system requirements:
     • Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 cpus
     • 512mb RAM for local apps
     • 1gb RAM for online usage: Youtube, Google+, Facebook
   • has Synaptic package manager for installing more apps

or

distrowatch.com Linux distributions

or choose Chromium

Turn an old laptop into a Chromebook