this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2024
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The distro itself doesn't matter that much for performance. Pick whatever you want, and use XFCE or IceWM for the desktop (or even go CLI only).
I recommend Debian or OpenSUSE for an easy install, and Arch, Artix, or Void if you're more experienced.
PS: Windows 7 is one of the best versions of Windows and it's not distributed anymore, that's a piece of history! Don't overwrite it, even if it does suck.
i want to have an usable computer, not something that freezes in every minute and fries itself. Because of this, windows 7, Debian, openSUSE is not taken into consideration. Just like Arch and Artix, since it is a 32bit computer, artix, arch doesn't have 32bit builds. Void can work, though
Another recommendation: Peppermint Linux, a lightweight Debian-based distro with XFCE as the desktop. Designed for older computers, and has a 32-bit version. Not to be confused with Linux Mint.
Safety info: Do not use Damn Small Linux, it is unmaintained and will not receive any security fixes.
About Debian, OpenSUSE not taken into consideration: Linux under-the-hood (not the desktop components) are fast even on old hardware. If you use a light DE/WM like XFCE or IceWM it will run quite smoothly. I have installed Debian on an old computer (2GB RAM, single core Celeron CPU, spinning HDD) and I have not noticed any significant slowdowns.
About Windows 7: I know it's absolutely unusable, I just don't want to see it destroyed. Like a rusted-out undriveable classic car that I don't want to see in a junkyard. Maybe copy the HDD image or something?