What is this best distro to install on this old Toshiba Satellite laptop?
Linux - Laptop and NetbookHaving a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
What is this best distro to install on this old Toshiba Satellite laptop?
I have no real specs on this computer, but I can tell you that it was bought circa 2008 and is really slow. The main reason I want Linux on it is that Linux is simple and doesn't catch viruses, and pretty much the only thing the owner's will use it for is for internet browsing.
The last time I installed a Linux OS on a computer (hp netbook, it was a KDE Mint 12 or something) it was unable to connect to the internet because I was unaware of the incompatibility issues.
So what OS/kernel/distro would you recommend I install to this computer so that it is compatible with this level of software/hardware?
Also if you have any additional resources on putting two OS's on one computer, that would be greatly appreciated.
The following distributions match your criteria (sorted by popularity):
1. Linux Mint (1)
2. Linux Mint (1)
3. Ubuntu (2)
4. Ubuntu (2)
5. Debian GNU/Linux (3)
The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel. Linux is a completely free piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. Of course, the thing that people want is application software: programs to help them get what they want to do done, from editing documents to running a business to playing games to writing more software. Debian comes with over 20,000 packages (precompiled software that is bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine) - all of it free. It's a bit like a tower. At the base is the kernel. On top of that are all the basic tools. Next is all the software that you run on the computer. At the top of the tower is Debian -- carefully organizing and fitting everything so it all works together.
6. Mageia (4)
7. Mageia (4)
8. Fedora (5)
The Fedora Project is an openly-developed project designed by Red Hat, open for general participation, led by a meritocracy, following a set of project objectives. The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system exclusively from open source software. Development will be done in a public forum. The project will produce time-based releases of Fedora about 2-3 times a year, with a public release schedule. The Red Hat engineering team will continue to participate in building Fedora and will invite and encourage more outside participation than in past releases. By using this more open process, we hope to provide an operating system more in line with the ideals of free software and more appealing to the open source community.
9. Fedora (5)
The Fedora Project is an openly-developed project designed by Red Hat, open for general participation, led by a meritocracy, following a set of project objectives. The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system exclusively from open source software. Development will be done in a public forum. The project will produce time-based releases of Fedora about 2-3 times a year, with a public release schedule. The Red Hat engineering team will continue to participate in building Fedora and will invite and encourage more outside participation than in past releases. By using this more open process, we hope to provide an operating system more in line with the ideals of free software and more appealing to the open source community.
(Debian gets it right like usual ) running live you can check the specs http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-specs-622763/ and post back.++
I'm guessing 1GB-RAM which will run most distros\WMs|DEs/etc.. but not all that well especially if multitasking? Second link in my signature will help you as well. Best wishes and have fun.
Last edited by jamison20000e; 06-02-2014 at 08:04 PM.
True. My laptop, 4GB-RAM can do 8 some day has KDE for home use (mostly) but I put lighter environments even distros on for battery plus more power (yes pun,) i.e: lightweight on more powerful systems is awesome in more ways than two.
Last edited by jamison20000e; 06-04-2014 at 08:24 AM.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.