Which Linux distie on Celeron N2830 2.16GHz with 4GB RAM?

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danepak

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#288883 29-Jul-2021 19:35

I’ve got an old HP Intel Celeron N2830 2.16GHz with 4GB RAM.
Haven’t used it for years! Extremely slow running Windows 7 (64 bit).
I’m keen on giving Linux a go. First time, so total newbie.
What distie should I install, based on the above specs?
Will be used for surfing and will let the kids play Minecraft and Roblox on it.

I’ll completely wipe Windows off the machine, so it’s only running Linux.

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MikeB4
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#2751947 29-Jul-2021 19:54

Ubuntu is good for beginners.

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danepak

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#2751950 29-Jul-2021 20:04

Thanks.
Is Ubuntu and Kubuntu the same?

MikeB4

MikeB4
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#2751951 29-Jul-2021 20:06

Same source but Kubuntu has far greater overheads. Having only 4GB RAM Ubuntu would be a better choice as Gnome has lower system demands compared to KDE.

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danepak

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#2751952 29-Jul-2021 20:08

Awesome, thanks! Will give it a go

nzkc

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#2751953 29-Jul-2021 20:08

danepak: Thanks.
Is Ubuntu and Kubuntu the same?

Same base. The Window Manager is different and some different utilities. Ubuntu uses Gnome and Kubuntu uses KDE. Everyone has their favourite. Almost all the online documentation will be applicable. Only where there are screenshots etc that things might be different really.

In the first instance I'd suggest sticking with Ubuntu (Gnome) if you're new to Linux and Ubuntu - simply so all online documentation will be applicable.

xpd

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#2751954 29-Jul-2021 20:12

Mint is good too, has more of a XP feel to ease you into things

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danepak

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#2751955 29-Jul-2021 20:13

xpd:
Mint is good too, has more of a XP feel to ease you into things

Thanks. But will my specs be adequate for a fairly smooth experience?

sJBs

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#2752033 29-Jul-2021 21:30

danepak:
xpd:

Mint is good too, has more of a XP feel to ease you into things

Thanks. But will my specs be adequate for a fairly smooth experience?

Compared to Windows, it will be flying:)

No honestly, I've installed Mint Cinnamon on all the family's laptops, the oldest being an IBM/Lenovo X61 (still my favourite form factor laptop of all time), and they are doing fine. I just upgraded them with cheap sata SSD's.

You could try the Mate edition, as it is lighter on resources, or even Xfce editions (but those were never my liking)

Where I had some true resource constraints, ie $5pm Vultr VPS (1cpu/1GB/25GB) and still needed a GUI, I used Peppermint, but I see it hasn't seen an update in a while. (https://peppermintos.com/). This is intended as a Web based OS, ie you use GoogleSuite or Office365 or develop your Owncloud. office instance.

Fortunately, with Opensouce and live CD's, you can very quickly test and see whats your liking.

If you like Bling with ubuntu based flavours try Ubuntu Gnome, Kubuntu, Linux Mint Cinnimon, PoP OS.

If you prefer more old school/legacy go with their MATE/Xfce/LXQt

You can get a quick preview and test drive most distros using https://distrotest.net/

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danepak

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#2752049 29-Jul-2021 22:27

Thanks, will probably give Mint a go.

gzt

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#2752057 29-Jul-2021 22:51

ChromeOS is built for CPU like that if you get bored with linux Linux and all you need is net.

danepak

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#2752130 30-Jul-2021 07:13

gzt: ChromeOS is built for CPU like that if you get bored with linux Linux and all you need is net.

My daughter is next year starting at intermediate and they recommend Chromebooks.
Would ChromeOS be sufficient or is a real Chromebook still better?

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ripdog

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#2752238 30-Jul-2021 09:45

MikeB4:

Same source but Kubuntu has far greater overheads. Having only 4GB RAM Ubuntu would be a better choice as Gnome has lower system demands compared to KDE.

Not at all true these days. KDE is all native code and has put a lot of work into reducing system requirements. On the other hand, gnome uses javascript in their windowing system.

OP: If you're struggling with performance, I'd recommend XFCE. I think xubuntu has it pre-installed, but you can simply install it with apt if you have a system already running.

XFCE is much lighter on the RAM than either KDE or Gnome.

danepak

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#2752243 30-Jul-2021 09:54

Just read that all Chromebooks now run Linux as well.
Is this the case for ChromeOS as well?
In that case, would it make sense just to install ChromeOS?

Also, can you have both installed?
(Just like you can run both Windows and Linux on a machine)?

ripdog

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#2752245 30-Jul-2021 09:57

Chrome OS is not designed to be installed on a normal PC. While it's possible, I wouldn't recommend the process to a newbie. It takes a bit of tinkering and has hardware requirements.

Give Xubuntu a go, you'll find it much easier. And yes, dual booting is possible (having both windows and linux installed).

danepak

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#2752247 30-Jul-2021 10:00

ripdog:

Chrome OS is not designed to be installed on a normal PC. While it's possible, I wouldn't recommend the process to a newbie. It takes a bit of tinkering and has hardware requirements.

Give Xubuntu a go, you'll find it much easier. And yes, dual booting is possible (having both windows and linux installed).

Thanks. Reg Chrome OS: A previous poster in this thread recommended Chrome OS, based on the processor that my machine has.
I was hoping that a YouTube video would guide even a newbie like me through it.

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