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Do you have an old laptop that is running slow? Are you searching for a lightweight operating system for your netbook? Here is a free list of lightweight OS system that can operate without using much of PC hardware resources. You can bring an old laptop back to life with these lightweight OS. Once you replace Windows or Mac from an old slow laptop with a lightweight Linux distro, you can revive these laptops to a new life, and those can fly. You can enjoy a bunch of open-source Linux games on these revived PCs as a bonus. Since these Linux OSs are community-based open source, sometimes these OS Dev teams will drop support and leave users in the dark.
We updated the list of Best Lightweight OS in 2018 for Netbooks, Laptops, and Desktops based on the new Linux distro in the community.
Editor’s Note: We recommend you to download and set up a bootable USB (check here for OS to run from USB) with the operating system you choose to test with your hardware. That will help you to make sure that all the hardware drivers are available for the operating system before you try this OS on your local hard disk. If you don’t want to spend money and looking for a free OS, please see Top 7 Free Operating Systems for your Laptop/Netbook that can try on your PC. Alternatively, you can try the best Linux Desktop Environment for Amazing UI experience with Linux Distros.
1. Lubuntu
Those who want a super lightweight OS here is the first one on the list Lubuntu. Lubuntu is a fast, lightweight Operating System, based on Linux and Ubuntu. Those who have low RAM and old generation CPU, this OS for you. Lubuntu core is based on the most popular user-friendly Linux distribution Ubuntu. For best performance, Lubuntu uses minimal desktop LXDE, and the apps are lightweight in nature.
Lubuntu is coming in three different installation package, where desktop package for regular users those have more than 700MB RAM and 64-bit or 32-bit choices. The Minimal installation can use for very low resource system, and you require only 64 MB of RAM to run, however, 128 MB of RAM is considered the minimum requirement.
Key Features: RAM: 512MB (128MB min) | CPU: Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: LXDE, Openbox | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Lubuntu
Related: 7 Best Lightweight Linux Browsers for Ubuntu Users.
2. Linux Lite
Another lightweight distro from the Linux family, Linux Lite. Those who are looking for a lightweight OS that takes low resources to run and the rest of the resource can dedicate to gaming; this Linux Lite is the ideal source for your needs. Linux Lite can run fast with less resource and CPU power which can free up for your heavy load games. Linux Lite also based on Ubuntu LTS releases, which offer longtime support, five years for each release.
The Linux Lite Distro is coming as plug and play and ready to run from the box. The Linux Lite Distro is coming as plug and play and ready to work out from the box. Linux Lite pack is coming with LibreOffice for your Office document needs, firebox to browse internet and Thunderbird email client as built-in install with the package. Linux Lite bundle, one of the best media player, VLC Media Player, has broad support for most of the video codecs.
Related: Top 7 Free Operating Systems For Your Laptop/Netbook
Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | CPU: 1.5GHz (700MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: XFCE | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Linux Lite
3. Puppy Linux
As the name suggests this is an ultra-portable Linux distribution that you can carry with a 2GB USD drive or DVD. This ultra lightweight OS can boot from CD or USB and live on your computer RAM. There is no system hard disk required to run this light OS. This Linux is the first aid for your data and laptop. When your system gets corrupted or hard drive lost, you can directly boot the PC from Puppy Linux USB. You can access the PC hard disk and retrieve the data from the hard drive, once you were done, shut off and take back the USB to carry with you.
Related: How to Run Windows Programs on Linux?
This portable Linux distro is coming with a size under 100 MB (core OS size) and boots less than a minute on an older system. Puppy Linux is a newbie-friendly UI based OS, that includes a broad range of applications like Office apps web browser, games, etc. that can detect most of the hardware without any additional drivers.
Key Features: RAM: 256MB (64MB min) | CPU: 333MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: JWM-2.3.2 | Download Puppy Linux
4. Damn Small Linux
Damn Small Linux is a very versatile 50MB mini desktop oriented Lightweight Linux distribution. DSL has a nearly complete desktop and a small core of command line tools. All applications have been chosen for the best balance of functionality, size, and speed.
Damn Small can act as an SSH/FTP/HTTPS server right off of a live CD. DSL can boot from a business card CD as a live Linux distribution or a USB pen drive. It can run entire OS in RAM with as little as 128MB and light enough to power a 486DX with 16MB of Ram.
Key Features: RAM: 256MB (64MB min) | CPU: i486/AMD Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Fluxbox, JWM | Download Damn Small Linux (WiKi)
Related: 10 Popular Windows Apps for Linux Users
5. Xubuntu
Those who want a plug and play operating system for your old laptop that can run with a minimum resource, then try Xubuntu. Xubuntu is built with Xfce desktop environment and on Ubuntu hardware drivers and support that let you run most of your gadgets as plug and play with this lightweight OS. For a basic user with a low-end computer, Xubuntu coming with a pre-built package to run everything that you required. You have a web browser to go online, email client, office application and the media app to handle your videos and photos. For advanced users who want to enjoy more flavor of open source Linux apps, they can visit get the package repositories from Ubuntu Software Center.
Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Xfce | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Xubuntu
6. Debian + PIXEL
The new lightweight OS from Raspberry Pi Foundation that to give new life to your old PC. This lightweight OS can run on x86-based MAC and Windows machines. PIXEL is a clean, modern user interface, packed with a bunch of programming tools and productivity software.
This lightweight OS is pre-installed Chromium web-browser with useful plugins, including Adobe Flash and instant access to thousands of free applications. The new software enables you to install a Raspberry Pi like OS on your computer. It boots from a DVD, USB Thumb drive or inside a virtual environment.
Key Features: RAM: 512MB min | CPU: i386 Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Download Debian + PIXEL
7. Bhodi Linux
Bhodi is an another Linux release built on Ubuntu, that updated well and maintained. At the time we update this article, April 10, 2017, Bhodi Linux released 4.1 version on Jan 2017. This Linux distro has three different ISO images to make sure that can install on latest desktop configuration and also your old desktop and laptops that a decade older. Bhodi is coming with a dedicated desktop called Moksha. The concept of this Linux Distro, you have the freedom to choose the apps you need.
No pre-installed apps are coming with this Linux flavor. However, this package is coming with ePad text editor, File Manager, Image Viewer terminal emulator, web browser and system updater. The Legacy-Non-PAE Kernel utilizes the older 3.2 Linux kernel. This 3.2 Linux kernel is optimized for up to 15+ years old hardware, to make sure this distribution can run with very low resources, that can revive your computer even if it is a decade old. Those who have an issue with a latest Linux distribution to work on their old laptop or desktop that does not support the PAE kernel extension, then this Bhodi Legacy ISO is the best bet for your laptop.
Key Features: RAM: 512MB (128MB min) | CPU: 1GHz (500MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Moksha | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Bhodi Linux
Related: 10 Best Linux Server Distributions for your Business & Home
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8. Peppermint Linux
Peppermint, like Bhodi Linux, is a lightweight OS coming as a core Linux OS without much junk or pre-packed apps. This lightweight Linux Distro version 7 built on Ubuntu 16.04 and Long-Term Support (LTS) code base. The peppermint desktop environment is Lightweight X Desktop Environment (LXDE). Peppermints have built-in web application management tool called Ice that let you make sure to get the same experience while you deal with the web application. Literally, you feel the web application and menus are just like your local app menus.
Key Features: RAM: 1024MB (512MB min) | CPU: Intel x86 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: LXDE | Fork: Ubuntu | Download Peppermint Linux
9. Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686/x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution versatile enough to suit any role. Development focuses on simplicity, minimalism, and code elegance.
This lightweight Linux OS is installed as a minimal base system, configured by the user upon which their ideal environment is assembled by installing only what is required or desired for their unique purposes. GUI configuration utilities are not officially provided, and most system configurations are performed from the shell and a text editor. Based on a rolling-release model, Arch strives to stay bleeding edge, and typically offers the latest stable versions of most software.
Key Features: RAM: 128MB min (256 MB RAM) | CPU: i686-based or x86-64 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Fork: Linux | Download Arch Linux
10. Slax
Slax is a Live operating system based on Linux runs from an external media without any need for permanent installation. The entire Slax operating system resides in a single directory/Slax/
on your device, making it easier to organize with your other data. Slax is available for 32bit and 64bit processor architectures. The 32bit version is designed to run on old computers (as old as Intel 486; that dates back to 1989). This lightweight operating system will run properly on brand new computers too. However, this OS is limited of RAM it can see 3GB of RAM.
The 64bit Slax version has no such limits, but will not run on computers older than a few years. If you plan to use Slax on a very old computer, or you seek for a system with maximum possible compatibility, then choose 32bit. If you intend to use Slax on a brand new machine, you’ll better go for 64bit.
Key Features: RAM: 256MB (48MB Min) | CPU: i486/AMD | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: KDE | Fork: Slackware | Download Slax
11. NimbleX
NimbleX is a small but versatile lightweight OS which can boot from CD, flash memory (USB pens or Mp3 players) and even from the network. Because it runs entirely from a CD, USB or network, this portable OS doesn’t require installation.
With NimbleX you can browse the web with Firefox, chat with your friends using the Kopete multi-protocol IM application, download torrents with Transmission, use DC++, connect remotely to other computers and much more.
Key Features: RAM: 256MB (128MB Min) | CPU: Pentium II | 32-bit & 64-bit | Download NimbleX
12. ZorinOS
Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for newcomers to Linux. It’s based on Ubuntu Linux so that you can rely on it for rock-solid performance, dependability, and support. Zorin OS features our unique look changer program that we have created exclusively for Zorin OS.
Zorin allows users to change the user interface at the touch of a button. Other unique programs include Background Plus, Web Browser Manager and more. It allows you to use Zorin OS along with your current operating system and run Microsoft Windows programs in Zorin OS with the help of WINE and PlayOnLinux.
Key Features: RAM: 1.5GB (512MB Min) | CPU: 1.5GHz (700MHz Min) | 32-bit & 64-bit | Fork: Ubuntu | Download ZorinOS
13. GeeXboX
GeeXboX is a free lightweight, and Open Source Media-Center purposed Linux distribution for embedded devices and desktop computers. As you know, GeeXboX is not an application; it’s a full-featured OS. Geexbox can boot from a LiveCD, a USB key or from an SD/MMC card or even you can install on a regular HDD. This Media Center based OS provides you a ready-to-be-used, plug-and-play Media Center application that can play any multimedia content.
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Geexbox has been designed to be fully controllable through either keyboard, mouse or a remote controller and does not require any particular computer-related skills. This Linux laptop OS features the state of the art technologies to provide you with the best multimedia experience to take the most out of your hardware.
Key Features: RAM: 64MB Min | CPU: 400MHz Min | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: NA | Fork: NA | Download GeeXBoX
Related: 10 Best Android Emulators for PC and Mac
For those who want to enjoy Android OS flavor apart from Linux or Windows OS, there are Android-based builds for your laptops. This will be an ideal choice for Android owners, and they want to keep the same experience on their desktops and laptops. There is two main Android-based OS builds the desktop in the open source community, Remix OS, and Phoenix OS.
14. Remix OS
Update:Remix OS has been discontinued. The perfect solution for those who want to make an Android PC. Whether it is a desktop or laptop, you can run this Android-based OS from USB or direct from PC hard disk. Remix OS is a collaborative version of Android xX86 and launched in 2012, and Android Marshmallow powers the latest version. Instead of installing Remix OS direct on PC, you can boot from USB, and there is an “exe” file available to convert USB that can load Remix OS later.
We are talking about the lightweight OS here, and I can’t say this is a super lightweight OS compared to other Linux Distro we listed here. But Remix OS is to make break the wall between your Android Smartphone and Personal Desktop. Remix OS is not limiting you from doing the PC activities, you can still browse the web, office applications, prepare presentations, Taskbar, File manager, etc. With Remix OS, you can enjoy all the Android Apps and wonderful games on your Desktop or Laptop PC.
Key Features: RAM: 2GB | CPU: 2GHz Dual Core | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Android-as-Desktop | Fork: Android | Download Remix OS
15. Phoenix OS
For Android Lovers, PhoenixOS is another Android Build OS for Desktop Computers. The x86 version can be download for PC and run just like Linux or Windows OS. Just like your Android Phone OS, the PhoenixOS provides the desktop menu where you can get the settings, system information, power settings, etc.
Once you install Phoenix OS on your desktop, your desktop mouse will work as a regular Windows mouse, you can drag and drop files, do file compression, and you have a chromium core based browser to use the internet. PhoenixOS will bring you the Android experience and features on the desktop, like notification center, App messages, etc. Since Phoenix belongs to the Android ecosystem, you can enjoy thousand so f Android games and apps on your PC with this Android Built OS.
Key Features: RAM: NA | CPU: Intel x86 | 32-bit & 64-bit | Window Manager: Android-as-Desktop | Fork: Android | Download Phoenix OS
16. EasyPeasy
Update: EasyPeasy was discontinued. The Ubuntu Netbook Edition is great, but a lot of things doesn’t work out of the box. MP3s, for example, can’t be played until you install the codecs. EasyPeasy aims to be simple by offering proprietary applications and codecs out of the box. This lightweight Linux OS is designed for the cloud, configured with WiFi and wireless drivers. These built-in Wireless drives let you easily connect your netbook to the Internet and enjoy web applications straight from the desktop. EasyPeasy OS is optimized for low power consumption and was from the early start developed with better battery performance and mobility in mind.
Key Features: Window Manager: Ubuntu | Fork: Linux | Download EasyPeasy
17. Jolicloud
Update: Jolicloud has been discontinued from April 1, 2016. Jolicloud is a Linux-based lightweight operating system became the best replacement OS for old PC sitting in homes, schools, and universities. Designed around the Jolidrive HTML5 interface which designed for the cloud, but works great offline. Jolicloud automatically updates your software, relies heavily on Chromium-based packages for running web-based applications with a curated list of 1,500 free apps.
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Download: Jolicloud
If you want to get the list of a free operating system that you want to try for your laptop, please try Top 7 Free Operating Systems For Your Laptop / Netbook.
Once you have a list of Operating Systems, then you can add extra protection for your computer and please select the best one from the list of free Light Weight Antivirus that can Save Computer Memory and CPU Power. There are many reasons to leave your buggy Windows and Join the lightweight OS community. As far as you know, the most Lightweight Operating Systems are Linux distros. The benefit of this Linux distro, those are open-source, community supported, and OSs are super lightweight.
All these operating systems mentioned here are capable of running under 1GB RAM and low CPU speed. Instead of installing on a hard disk, most of these Operating System can be loaded to a USB stick and run from it as a standalone OS. These lightweight oS are the best in from the available Linux distribution, and those are light, fast and stable, that can give life back to your old, low resource laptops.
It’s no exaggeration to say that open source operating systems rule the world of mobile devices. Android is still an open source project, after all. But, due to the bundle of proprietary software that comes along with Android on consumer devices, many people don’t consider it an open source operating system.
So what are the alternatives to Android? iOS? Maybe, but I am primarily interested in open source alternatives to Android. I am going to list not one, not two, but seven alternative, Linux-based mobile OSes.
Top Open Source alternatives to Android
Let’s see what open source mobile operating systems are available. Just to mention, the list is not in any hierarchical or chronological order.
1. Tizen
Tizen is an open source, Linux based mobile operating system. It is often dubbed an official Linux mobile OS, as the project is supported by the Linux Foundation.
Apart from the Linux Foundation, the Tizen project is supported by tech giants Samsung and Intel. Initially slotted for late 2013 release, it was only in January 2015 that the first Tizen phone, the Samsung Z, was released in the South Asian market. Unfortunately, the Samsung Z failed to get much attention in a competitive Indian market.
Despite being based on Linux, Tizen OS has been marred by security issues. Quite frankly, I don’t see a bright future for Tizen OS. It is just a matter of time before the plug is pulled from this project.
2. Plasma Mobile
A few years back, KDE announced its own open source mobile OS, Plasma Mobile. Plasma Mobile is the mobile version of the desktop Plasma user interface, and aims to provide convergence for KDE users.
The OS is in the development phase and can be tested on a few devices, like LG Nexus 5.
3. postmarketOS
PostmarketOS (pmOS for short) is a touch-optimized, pre-configured Alpine Linux with its own packages, which can be installed on smartphones.
The idea is to enable a 10-year life cycle for smartphones. You probably already know that, after a few years, Android and iOS stop providing updates for older smartphones. At the same time, you can run Linux on older computers easily. PostmarketOS wants to achieve the same on the mobile platform, by tweaking Linux into a touch-optimized platform.
Don’t get too excited. PostmarketOS is in very early phases of development, and it is most likely that you won’t be able to use it like a regular smartphone yet.
4. PureOS/Librem
Ubuntu’s convergence efforts did not materialize, but this has not deterred others from their convergence dreams.
Convergence, in simple terms, is having the same operating system running on desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Ubuntu tried it and abandoned the project. Windows also failed at it.
The security and privacy focused company Purism has its own PureOS Linux distribution. They are also working on a Linux-based, secure smartphone called Librem5. Purism claims that PureOS is convergent, and Librem smartphones will run it. Apart from PureOS, it can run GNOME and KDE, with Debian, Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora. and even Arch Linux.
The motto of the Librem is to be a “phone that focuses on security by design and privacy protection by default. Running Free/Libre and Open Source software and a GNU+Linux Operating System designed to create an open development utopia, rather than the walled gardens from all other phone providers”.
It’s more of a Linux-based smartphone rather than a Linux-based smartphone OS, but I believe that the convergent PureOS should be able to run on other devices with some tweaks.
Interested in it? Check out Librem 5 specifications and availability.
5. Ubuntu Touch by UBports
The king of desktop Linux world, Ubuntu decided to expand its territory with its open source mobile operating system, Ubuntu Touch. Keeping convergence in mind, Canonical (the parent company of Ubuntu) ambitiously launched a $32 million crowdfunding campaign to build the first Ubuntu Phone, Edge. Though it failed to get the desired amount, it still set a new record, with over $12 million pledged to the campaign.
After the failed crowdfunding campaign, Canonical teamed up with some device manufacturers to launch Ubuntu Phone. Spanish manufacturer BQ became the makers of the first device running Ubuntu Touch in February, 2015. It was soon followed by Chinese manufacturer Meizu. Those first few devices were aimed at developers, which is the reason I advised people not to buy the BQ Ubuntu Phone at the time.
Two years and a few Ubuntu-based phones later, Canonical finally decided to call it quits on their mobile OS. However, UBports is still trying to keep Ubuntu Touch alive.
With UBports’ efforts, Ubuntu Touch recently saw OTA 9 update. There are a handful of devices that are supported by Ubuntu Touch. You can see the list here.
Open Source projects based on Android (free from Google)
Most of the above open source mobile operating systems you saw so far are under development and not available for a wide range of mobile hardware.
Don’t despair. There are a few projects that are based on Android but customized to remove Google services from it. These Android distributions are open source and you can customize them to your liking.
If you are looking for an open source alternative to mainstream Android, these projects could be a good choice.
6. LineageOS and Replicant (open source Android distributions)
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Both LineageOS and Replicant are open source Android distributions. In other words, you can call them custom ROMs.
LineageOS was created after the much more successful Android distribution CyanogenMod was discontinued. LineageOS is a fork of CyanogenMod.
Though Replicant was founded back in 2010 by a couple of Free Software groups, it now uses the source code of LineageOS as the base. You can see the list of devices supported by Replicant here.
7. /e/ (previously known as eelo)
Previously known as eelo, /e/ is a non-profit project started by the developer of Mandrake Linux. It is an Android distribution, and the idea is to have an open source mobile operating system free from Google.
/e/ replaces Google services with its own services, with the promise to not track you or sell your data to advertisers like Google. /e/ will also utilize open source alternatives as much as possible.
/e/ is in active development and you can try to install it on a range of devices already. You can even buy refurbished devices preinstalled with /e/. That is one of the several ways of supporting the /e/ project.
Partial open source mobile OS
I think it’s worth mentioning a few projects that are not fully open source but they are challenging the duopoly of Android and iOS.
8. Kai OS (partially open source)
Kai OS is going to be the world’s third most popular mobile operating system. Chances are, you haven’t heard of it.
Not your fault really. KaiOS was only released in 2017, and yet it is powering a huge number of mobile phones in just under two years.
So, what’s the secret here? Unlike other mobile operating system, Kai OS doesn’t target the high-end, touch phones. Instead, it provides smartphone-like functionality to feature phones.
Feature phones, or basic phones, are inexpensive, and having smartphone-like functionality makes them an attractive and affordable device.
Kai OS is based on Linux, as it is a fork of a fork of now defunct Firefox OS (mentioned later). Kai OS is not completely open source. Only the Linux Kernel modifications are open sourced, rest is closed source.
You can gauge the potential of Kai OS from the fact that it runs on over 100 million devices and Google has invested $22 million in it.
9. Sailfish OS (partially open source)
When Nokia decided to ditch the MeeGo mobile OS project, few unsatisfied Nokia employees decided to keep MeeGo alive in the form of Sailfish OS. Their flagship product Jolla has met with moderate success, and has a dedicated fan following. MeeGo was supposed to be continued by Linux Foundation in the form of Tizen, but over the time Tizen evolved on its own and cannot be termed a MeeGo derivative anymore. The same is true for Sailfish OS, the core OS of which is based on the Mer project, which itself is based on the work from MeeGo.
While Sailfish OS created some buzz among early adopters thanks to the Jolla devices, the company seems to be struggling.
Sailfish OS is not entirely open source. However, you could consider it as an option when you are looking for a mobile OS other than Android and iOS.
Honorable Mention: Firefox OS [Discontinued]
Firefox OS was an open source project from Mozilla Firefox, the parent company of the famous open source web browser. It created quite some ripples with the announcement of Firefox O- based smartphones that cost only $25. The aim was to target emerging markets such as Brasil and India.
Unfortunately, the low price tag alone could not make Firefox OS the Raspberry Pi of mobile devices, and, like Tizen, Firefox OS did not have any success with its ZTE devices. Firefox now plans to shift its focus from low cost devices to user experience with Firefox OS.
What do you think?
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When I first wrote this article a few years ago, I was hopeful for some of these alternative mobile OSes. However, the present situation is gloomy, and I don’t think any OS listed here is going to make a mark. It’s not like I don’t want them to be a success, I am just being honest here.
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What do you think of these Android alternatives? Do you think these Linux based mobile OS will leave their mark or will they struggle for a decent market share like desktop Linux? Do share your views.
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