this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2025
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I have an Asus laptop from 2007 (lemmy.world)
submitted 23 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) by Bristlecone@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Like the title says I want to install a Linux distro on my old laptop. I am currently looking into installing a SSD, but I want to learn a distro for fun! I haven't been able to find a good current resource aside from the Linux Masters here, so I am actually asking for help on the Internet! What distro is the best!?

https://imgur.com/8zldESD

EDIT: thanks so much everyone for your recommendations and advice! I installed a couple of different systems before deciding that I think the laptop may be able to support Fedora with KDE plasma (my favorite flavor of the installs so far) and I'm finding it really attractive and easy to use. You will see once I get some more disk space used how the performance holds up! If it runs into trouble I might switch the machine back over to mint with, that one seemed to run really well and was pretty familiar seeming from my Windows days, also seem more low end and booted a little faster. I think I might even end up switching to Linux on my desktop I had so much fun with it last night!! I really appreciate all the information and will probably be experimenting with a more lightweight build on this computer in the future! I'm a Linux user and it was easier than I ever thought! ❤️

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[–] EarlGrey@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

I want to learn a Distro for fun.

Are you just using this laptop to dip your toes into Linux and see if you like it? I would recommend Debian + XFCE. It's lightweight, it prioritizes stability over new features, and it's a fairly easy UI for a newbie to understand. Alternatively Linux Mint MATE Edition might be worth a try. It's also lightweight but is a bit more "up to date" than Debian feature wise.

[–] Bristlecone@lemmy.world 1 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) (2 children)

My wife is leaning toward Ubuntu "MATE", how would you feel about that versus the Debian and you mentioned. Personally I was thinking about mint

[–] EarlGrey@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

Debian gets feature updates significantly slower than other distros, instead it focuses on insuring stability and security. It's rock solid.

Linux Mint is actually based on Ubuntu (which itself is derived from Debian), so for the most part the two are fairly similar. There are a few key differences but for someone learning Linux you don't need to worry about them. Pick one of them, get your feet wet, and then google the differences to see if you want to switch.

After all, endless Distro hopping is a right of passage for all fledgling Linux users! :)

[–] Beryl@lemmy.ml 2 points 17 hours ago

Ubuntu Mate was my first distro and it helped me learn a lot, but I don't really see a point in using Ubuntu over Debian. I never found it easier and you learn apt either way.