How to choose the best Linux distro depending on your hardware

I have a centrino 1.7 GHz with 512 RAM. It is an old computer.

I tried to google for something that could ease my chose for a good linux distro that would run smooth on that computer and still being pretty and easy to work.

I thought on Lubuntu, but I found so many others (gOS, EeeXubuntu, Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Puppy...).

Not to mention the biggest mainstream distros that could, or couldn't, run smooth in it...

Is there a place where I can have this kind of advise based on hardware and personal preferences?

What would you suggest to my case?

Thank you!

cinico

Posted 2013-05-11T23:35:30.807

Reputation: 215

We don't consider asking for recommendations on topic, sorry. See the list of answers which all recommend a specific distribution rather than the process of finding ong – this is not encouraged. There have been similar questions on this site already. The best would probably be to try for yourself. – slhck – 2013-05-12T09:14:09.830

Answers

For your old computer (or any old computer), you should try Damn Small Linux. It is altogether 50 MB (which is crazy small) and requires only 16 MB of RAM.

I do not know of any smaller distro that gives you all of the features that this one does.

Hope this helps (if it does, please confirm my answer).

HelpingHand

Posted 2013-05-11T23:35:30.807

Reputation: 351

Puppy is another good choice, its weird that the user states it would not run smoothly. – Austin T French – 2013-05-11T23:48:09.613

@AthomSfere - OP did not say that Puppy *did not* run smoothly *'...distros that could, or couldn't, run smooth in it...'*. OP asking for help to narrow the big list down to those that will run smoothly with limited resources. I'm sure they'll appreciate your recommendation of Puppy. – Kevin Fegan – 2013-05-12T00:32:13.603

@KevinFegan Never mind then, I mis-read. DSL and Puppy should both make great chocies then – Austin T French – 2013-05-12T00:37:56.603

I think Ubuntu with Xfce will fit.

You can download it from:

http://xubuntu.org/

Mebus

Posted 2013-05-11T23:35:30.807

Reputation: 11

you do not need to sign your post (In fact its done automatically). – Austin T French – 2013-05-11T23:48:41.070

If you are feeling froggy and brave, installing a base Arch Linux system with basic networking and a minimalist window manager has worked great for my low spec systems.

This doesn't fall under the "easy" category you are looking for but you will learn a lot as an added bonus and your low specs will thank you once all is configured.

Scandalist

Posted 2013-05-11T23:35:30.807

Reputation: 2 767