View Full Version : [ubuntu] Which version for older machines?
redkcir
August 16th, 2011, 07:14 AM
I do some volunteer work repairing and re-purposing older computers for the Salvation Army Thrift store where I live. Of course most of the computers we get are older. My reason is to get some of the poorer kids a fighting chance at school. We sell these things for next to nothing to accomplish this. I include free tech/training support for 30 days to get them started as. My problem is that finding a version of ubuntu and openoffice that will run on them is becoming difficult. Any suggestions as to a version that works for those not real familiar with computers?
bigcreturns
August 16th, 2011, 07:21 AM
Try this site. https://help.ubuntu.com/10.10/installation-guide/i386/index.html
garvinrick4
August 16th, 2011, 08:35 AM
I do some volunteer work repairing and re-purposing older computers for the Salvation Army Thrift store where I live. Of course most of the computers we get are older. My reason is to get some of the poorer kids a fighting chance at school. We sell these things for next to nothing to accomplish this. I include free tech/training support for 30 days to get them started as. My problem is that finding a version of ubuntu and openoffice that will run on them is becoming difficult. Any suggestions as to a version that works for those not real familiar with computers? I got to say lubuntu for low Ram and older processors.
Flash is only problem, goobles up the cpu so must teach kids to not to run in hd but sd
I believe it is. Takes half as much processor. Does not take long to get used to openbox, pcmanfm, LXDE.
Is easy to set up once you get used to it. Price is right like most Linux,
free and open source. Download .iso burn a disk and run it to test her out. 11.04 is nice.
#By the way helping kids is just about the coolest thing one can do. (coolest, I am Fonzi's age)
http://people.ubuntu.com/~gilir/ (http://people.ubuntu.com/%7Egilir/)
Luke M
August 16th, 2011, 08:46 AM
Realistically, you need at least a Pentium 4 with 1GB to run Ubuntu. I've tried running it on older hardware and it's just hopeless. You are better off with Windows (XP or 2000), which is much faster and requires less memory.
garvinrick4
August 16th, 2011, 08:53 AM
Realistically, you need at least a Pentium 4 with 1GB to run Ubuntu. I've tried running it on older hardware and it's just hopeless. You are better off with Windows (XP or 2000), which is much faster and requires less memory.
Take the time to try Lubuntu I just installed on an older dell with 500 meg of Ram and at
a full gallop can use only 300 meg of RAM. Is a apt-get and going to be in Ubuntu's arsenal
as I have read in 11.10 is actually real nice to use just scoots around the internet and simple
to navigate.
steve11911
August 17th, 2011, 05:56 PM
Fortunately,some developers have focused on distros for less robust hardware.
This page details a bevy of them:
http://www.tuxradar.com/content/whats-best-lightweight-linux-distro
How low can you go?
http://www.connochaetos.org/wiki/
Minimum hardware requirements are:
A i586 compatible processor (i. e. Pentium I)
At least 64 MB RAM
At least a 2 GB hard disk
WasMeHere
September 2nd, 2011, 05:03 AM
I have used various linux operating systems on various old computers. I agree that you should try Lubuntu. But you should also try Xubuntu and don't forget 'vanilla' Ubuntu 10.04 LTS because of its stability. Another choice is Linux Mint XFCE (version 9 is based on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS). Linux Mint Debian is new. I have not tested it yet, but it is worth considering.
You can also try linux versions with extremely small footprint, but I'm afraid it would be difficult for an average child to enjoy using it. But there are many bright kids that can do magic with a very old computer and a suitable operating system.
Anyway, try a few operating systems and select one that feels good for you! Soon you will find the limits for cpu and ram, that will work.
... and please let us know your choice!
have fun :-)
mörgæs
September 2nd, 2011, 09:19 AM
Yes, Lubuntu and Xubuntu are good choices. Best is to install Libre Office on both of them.
If you want to experiment, here are some more light distros:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1582027
Good luck with the project!
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