Question Linux Distros For Low-End Laptop?

[NeoGunHero]

I have a Gateway laptop with a Ryzen 3700U, 8GB non-removable RAM, Windows 11.
Lately, Windows has been running like crud on the laptop. I have done lots of tweaks and changes to make it more efficient, but it still lags and stutters like crazy. This laptop isn't even that low powered, the RAM and CPU should be just fine for normal tasks and light gaming, but it has been struggling to do both lately. It was fine when I bought it 3-4 years ago for very cheap, but since then it's gotten worse.

I want to switch it to Linux as a complete noob. Based on my research, XCFE environment seems to be the best for low-spec laptops, but which distro is the best to use with it?

I have heard of Mint XCFE and Peppermint XCFE should be good choices, but I wanted to ask here first. Again, I have never used Linux, but I want something to help bring some extra life back to this laptop. I don't expect a miracle, but if I can get it to work smoothly and stable, moreso than Win11, then I will absolutely go through the process of learning how to do it correctly.

 

[Lutfij]

Lately, Windows has been running like crud on the laptop. I have done lots of tweaks and changes to make it more efficient, but it still lags and stutters like crazy. This laptop isn't even that low powered, the RAM and CPU should be just fine for normal tasks and light gaming, but it has been struggling to do both lately. It was fine when I bought it 3-4 years ago for very cheap, but since then it's gotten worse.
I'm assuming you've debloated your OS...? Then again, what sort of resources is the OS consuming off of your laptop?

for normal tasks and light gaming
How much of gaming are we looking at? I have been looking Bazzite and perhaps that's something you could look into as well.

 

[TerryLaze]

First thing you should do is to check the condition of the drive.
If the drive is on its way out then no amount of minimum OS will do any difference, a failing drive often starts with low performance.
If the drive is ok think about a fresh windows install because most of the times it's just an update or something that went wrong causing performance issues.


If you want linux I would suggest bazzite, it comes with steam built in so you can still play any games you own, also has support for other launchers and windows games.
Also it's very difficult to bork it up.

 

[cruisetung]

Linux Mint Cinnamon should run fine on your laptop

https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=319