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

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

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#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.

1 | 2 | 3

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2751947 29-Jul-2021 19:54

Ubuntu is good for beginners.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2751950 29-Jul-2021 20:04

Thanks.
Is Ubuntu and Kubuntu the same?

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#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.

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2751952 29-Jul-2021 20:08

Awesome, thanks! Will give it a go

nzkc

1573 posts

Uber Geek

#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

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13769 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2751954 29-Jul-2021 20:12

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

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#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?

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

sJBs

69 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#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/

danepak

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#2752049 29-Jul-2021 22:27

Thanks, will probably give Mint a go.

gzt

17160 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#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

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#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?

ripdog

548 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#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

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#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

548 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#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

1112 posts

Uber Geek

#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.

1 | 2 | 3