Which Ubuntu for a very basic machine?

[Garnett]

My in-law's Mac has just given up the ghost and they are computer-less so I was hoping I could use an old unused Dell Dimension 5100 Intel P4 3.2ghz, install some variant of Ubuntu and buy them a big new monitor so it doesn't feel too ancient.

Can the Old Dell live up to a new 27" screen like the Benq GL2750HM LED LCD 27" HDMI Monitor I'm looking at?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Garnett]

My in-law's Mac has just given up the ghost and they are computer-less so I was hoping I could use an old unused Dell Dimension 5100 Intel P4 3.2ghz, install some variant of Ubuntu and buy them a big new monitor so it doesn't feel too ancient.

I'd like to ask what variant of Ubuntu I should stick on the machine?

Either that, or whether people think some other flavour of Linux might be a better option.

It will be used 99% for just browsing, but will also be used for some accounting.

I'd like to use the opportunity to try out new options and set it up like a kiosk possibly, as it needs to be a simple to use as possible...

Thanks for any help

[codemaniac]

How much memory it is having ?
3.2 ghz is way too much to run Ubuntu .Try out 12.04 .
Lubuntu or Xubuntu are other light versions fork of Ubuntu .

[lukeiamyourfather]

I'm a fan a Xubuntu for lower end machines. It feels less kludgy to me compared to the LXDE interface (used on Lubuntu). That's a matter of opinion though. Try both if you're curious.

[mörgæs]

Please don't double-post.
Threads merged.

[squilookle]

You can find the system requirements for Ubuntu here.

I'm running Ubuntu 12.04 (using Unity 2D) on a machine with a P4 3ghz, 3GB RAM and an NVidia graphics card and it is reasonably quick, certainly usable. (And faster than my W7 work laptop which has a much faster processor)

Unity 3D works but dash and HUD lag a little.

Xubuntu/XFCE is snappier and should do the job, but coming from a Mac they may get on better with Ubuntu - if the machine has enough RAM.

Best thing to do would be to grab the live CD and give it a try.

[lukeiamyourfather]

...but coming from a Mac they may get on better with Ubuntu - if the machine has enough RAM.

I would disagree with that. XFCE has many similar features including a dock like interface for launching applications (see left on screenshot). Not that Ubuntu would be difficult to learn with Unity, just saying XFCE is very similar.

http://cdn.xfce.org/about/screenshots/4.8-1.png

[squilookle]

I would disagree with that. XFCE has many similar features including a dock like interface for launching applications (see left on screenshot). Not that Ubuntu would be difficult to learn with Unity, just saying XFCE is very similar.

http://cdn.xfce.org/about/screenshots/4.8-1.png

Sorry, mate, I only see a vague resemblance to OSX in the theme in that screenshot and stand by my original statement, Global menus and window buttons on the left and all... (Possibly a matter of opinion and thankfully neither DE is a carbon copy of OSX, they just share some features/characteristics. )

Anyway, I again encourage the OP to grab some Live CDs and see what works on their hardware and what they think will be useful to the in-laws.

[3rdalbum]

Anyway, I again encourage the OP to grab some Live CDs and see what works on their hardware and what they think will be useful to the in-laws.

Sounds like good advice. Assuming the computer has a gig of RAM or more, then regular Ubuntu will be a fine choice.

[gordintoronto]

How much memory? What video adapter?

If it has a GB of memory, Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 seems like an easy choice.