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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Can anyone recommend a lightweight, stable distro for a thinkpad? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm looking to mainly use it for school and was wondering if there's any recommended distros out there for thinkpads.

Its a Lenovo Thinkpad T480.

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 5 months ago (6 children)

With 8 GB of RAM and 5500 CPU passmark points, that's a good laptop for Linux Mint. Download their "edge" version of Mint, so you get the latest kernel (so it has more chances of supporting 100% that laptop).

[–] swooosh 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

DE is more important than distro in regards to RAM. Ubuntu runs on a pi, it should be good on any computer

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

This @[email protected]! I run Linux Mint on a T410 with 4 GB of Ram and a 250 GB SSD and the user experience is quite ok for normal day to day usage like playing light games, browsing and HD video streaming.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

T410? Woah! I still mourn the death of my 420 with it's Dome Light and rugged looks

I hope yours stay on, and on, and on!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

so it has more chances of supporting 100% that laptop

its a thinkpad so i can be very sure it is very well supported whatever you decide to use, as long as it isnt ancient.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Dude, it's upgradeable, just put 32Gb in.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

There's nothing that makes it good for mint specifically.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

My wife has a T480s on standard 2022 LTS Ubuntu, it is a machine old enough to not need the latest edgy mint ; a friend of mine has had to install it on his 2023 X1 tho.

Standard Mint will do fine. Default DE is boring as hell, be sure to look at others like Gnome. I love Gnome.

Also, using "live" USB keys OP can try several distros and check what they find more attractive in the default state of a distro.

PopOS, Elementary, Fedora, Tumbleweed... So many of them.

I say Tumbleweed is best because of the perfect, seamless integration of BTRFS / Snapshotting / Rollback system. It is truly the best way to dip your feet into Linux and get it back working in a single click when you (inevitably) fuck up.