Best Linux for computers with 2 GB of RAM
Two gigabytes is tight for a modern desktop, so lightweight systems make a big difference. A USB 3.0 drive also helps.
What to look for
- A light desktop such as Xfce or LXQt
- Few background services
- A browser that is not too heavy
Good choices
- MX Linux: suits people who want a stable, lightweight system with many handy built-in tools, even on older hardware. See the USB drive.
- antiX: suits people with very old or low-memory computers, since it runs without systemd. See the USB drive.
- Linux Lite: suits people moving from Windows who want a simple, light system for modest hardware. See the USB drive.
- Lubuntu: suits people who want an official Ubuntu flavour that runs well on older computers. See the USB drive.
- Xubuntu: suits people who want Ubuntu's base with a light, traditional desktop. See the USB drive.
- Void Linux: suits experienced users who like a fast, independent, runit-based system. See the USB drive.
- Alpine Linux: suits people who want a tiny, security-focused system, often for servers and containers. See the USB drive.
- Tiny Core Linux: suits people who want an extremely small system that runs from memory. See the USB drive.
How to decide
Start two or three of these from a live USB drive and use each for twenty minutes. See how to try Linux without installing, then read how to choose a Linux distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try these before installing?
Yes. Write one to a USB drive and start it in live mode. See how to try Linux without installing.
How many should I test for computers with 2 GB of RAM?
Two or three is plenty. Use each for about twenty minutes and check Wi-Fi, sound, battery and the programs you rely on.
Will my files be touched while I test?
No. A live session leaves your internal disk alone unless you choose to install.