Linux Distributions
Linux Distributions

Best Free Version of Linux for Older Laptop (Pentium M, 1.25 GB RAM) ?

What are the best or recommended free versions of Linux for an older Pentium M laptop with 1.25 GB of RAM ? The version should install to the HDD, have updates including security updates available regularly, and then just be able to run some basic free apps and DVD codecs, be able to work with MP3 files (rip from DVDs, change bit rates, etc...), and be able to encrypt the entire drive (full disk encryption) ...

TIA ...

LGroup1Asked: 2015-09-14

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LVL 37

Seth SimmonsSr. Systems AdministratorCommented: 2015-09-14

fedora should work fine for that
performance won't be the best with an older processor and that much memory but it will work
only caveat is that fedora has a fast build cycle which means updates are only available a short time after 2 following releases (which amounts to about 14 months or so)

here is the 32bit iso

https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/22/Workstation/i386/iso/Fedora-Live-Workstation-i686-22-3.iso

you can also try ubuntu 14 which has longer support

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

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LVL 12

zalazarCommented: 2015-09-14

If you would go for Ubuntu then you could choose for a light-weight Window Manager like LXDE.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
You could also look at Lubuntu or Xubuntu.
http://lubuntu.net/
http://xubuntu.org/

LGroup1Author Commented: 2015-09-14

Great, thanks all,

LVL 88

rindiCommented: 2015-09-14

I can really recommend the 32 bit XFCE version of Makulu Linux. It is lightning-fast, runs well on older hardware, and has very good looks. It is probably the "nicest" Linux distro available, and very easy to use. It is based on Ubuntu, so you have all the Ubuntu packages available, but it works much better than Ubuntu. If you want the full featured version download the "Normal Edition", not the "Lite Edition":

http://makululinux.com/downloads/