Simple Linux OS with a browser, email and Youtube for an old person?

warren_1979 · 4 Apr 2014 at 18:31

Hi.

With XP being discontinued soon my uncle needs a new laptop for the basics. That got me thinking, is there an Linus OS that could meet his needs on his current laptop? I was thinking something along the lines of the Linpus Linux Lite?

Cheers.

Grimley · 4 Apr 2014 at 18:42

I've read good things about this distro: (not used it for while)

http://www.zorin-os.com/

I've used linpus myself (bought a netbook with it on a few years back) didn't like it though.

I'm currently using mint cinnamon 16, its OK but it randomly reboots a few times a day. I've not lost any work because of that, thank goodness.

warren_1979 · 4 Apr 2014 at 18:51

Hey thanks for that.

Looks good. How easy are these to install? I have never dabbled with Linux except when I had my Aspire One netbook?

What about compatibility with the hardware in my uncles laptop, such as wifi cards, display divers etc? Is it like windows were you need specific drivers?

My dad is in the same boat with his netbook and windows XP. He is looking to buy a Chromebook this weekend. If I could get this working maybe I could save him some money too?

Woden · 4 Apr 2014 at 18:54

You can't really beat Mint for easealility.

Hades · 4 Apr 2014 at 19:51

Mint.

CEUOTC · 4 Apr 2014 at 20:19

Linux Lite, Manjaro or Ubuntu.

Linux Lite pretty straight forward to use and update, great community. Developer is working on next release.

Manjaro rolling release, active community and great support.

Ubuntu for support and active community but you get unity.

trackrat · 4 Apr 2014 at 21:14

Mint, get the MATE version as it looks more like XP than Cinnamon

warren_1979 · 4 Apr 2014 at 21:42

Cool thanks guys.

It looks like its between Zorin OS and Mint MATE. I think I will look for some videos on youtube before I decide or just give both a go. No harm in trying both!

Cheers all.

emu · 4 Apr 2014 at 22:37

dont forget to try out elementary os

http://elementaryos.org

runs nice and quick on old hardware and looks the business

jas72 · 5 Apr 2014 at 07:27

I tried a few last night and quite liked unbuntu and lubuntu.

Will try mint today good way of seeing the distros before full install.

If you want to try them look at this post from Korgtronix
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26105285&postcount=4

KIA · 5 Apr 2014 at 10:42

ChromeOS?

No need for a full OS if he only does the things in the OP.

stopper · 5 Apr 2014 at 14:14

warren_1979 said:
Cool thanks guys.

It looks like its between Zorin OS and Mint MATE. I think I will look for some videos on youtube before I decide or just give both a go. No harm in trying both!

Cheers all.

I would recommend Mint personally.
But if it is just for web browsing, you will be happy with either.

emu · 5 Apr 2014 at 15:13

reinstalled my system on my netbook today

as i purchased a new hardrive

warren_1979 · 5 Apr 2014 at 23:50

Is that elementary OS? Looks nice!

emu · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:34

warren_1979 said:
Is that elementary OS? Looks nice!

hi

yes it is with a few tweaks

warren_1979 · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:36

Can you get dropbox on elementary?

Caged · 6 Apr 2014 at 21:48

Just buy them a Chromebook, the C720 is £200 and the OS updates itself and backs up the files stored on it.

warren_1979 · 9 Apr 2014 at 11:25

Hi everyone.

OK so I tried elementary on my uncles ancient Toshiba laptop and the CD boot option just produced a blank screen with a blinking cursor. Reburned the iso image to another CD using imgburn instead of the inbuilt win7 burning features and I got the same thing.

Someone has recommended Lubuntu for older laptops so I am going to try that tonight.

Woden · 9 Apr 2014 at 11:32

Xubuntu is worth a shot too. XFCE is pretty light.

Getting Linux really, really light can be done if you dont mind spending a night or two on it. Look at Arch and Gentoo.

jellybeard999 · 9 Apr 2014 at 12:41

I found http://www.linuxliveusb.com/download worked well for trying different distros. Saves on blank CDs too.