Linux on netbook

mr_vampy

Hi,
I have an old Samsung NC10 netbook, with Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz cpu, 1GB memory and running Windows XP Home SP3.
I would still like to use it for Facebook and typing up Word documents, etc.  Am not too familiar with Linux but would like to install that over Windows.  What is the current recommended distro that I cut put on it?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks  

Bonhomie

Throw a cheap SSD within: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicon-Power-256GB-Performance-Internal/dp/B07KR2CX1F/ref=sr_1_14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB9D5aTgOgw

and then

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-lightweight-linux-distros-ideal-intel-atom-processor-pc/

Whilst the processor isn't up to much, it's really the old hard drives that slow the things down.

unforeseen

Also swap the 1Gb stick for 2Gb. That's the max it will take. 

Bonhomie

unforeseen said:

Also swap the 1Gb stick for 2Gb. That's the max it will take. 

I didn't mention it as it would add to the cost and so be potentially off putting. But if available inexpensively, then definitely worthy of consideration. Especially if opening the thing up anyway. But SSD more important.

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail/?id=smemje9gh

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302047164637

mr_vampy

Thank you Bonhomie and unforeseen for the advice and links.  I'm going to have a read through the different distros available and then order the ram and SSD .  Will most likely be back asking more questions.  

Bonhomie

128GB is a little cheaper if you prefer to spend as little as possible on the upgrade: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicon-Power-256GB-Performance-Internal/dp/B07KR25Q72/ref=sr_1_14

Newcad

I have an old former XP laptop that only had 1GB of RAM and an old Intel Core 2 DUO T7250 CPU.
I installed Linux Mint on it easily and with no problems,  it ran well.

Another option to consider though for a bit more work and cost:

I've since upgraded that laptop; it now has 4GB RAM, the most it will take, and a 250GB SSD.
It's now happily running Windows 10 22H2, 64-Bit.
The RAM and SSD cost me £55 in total, I fitted them myself.
Th SSD was from Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patriot-Memory-P210-256GB-P210S256G25/dp/B087K9L3R5
The RAM was from here, you don't say just what model your netbook is so refine it from here but it looks like they all use the same RAM and 2GB will cost you £9: https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/search#!dcatnetbook=1&pcatlaptopram=1&query=NC10

If you want to consider doing similar then be aware that your N270 processor is 32 Bit so you would need to download/install 32bit Windows 10. (I also did that with mine when it only had 1GB RAM in it so wouldn't run 64bit Windows, it was slow with the old HDD but OK once the SSD was fitted).

For such older machines it is not worth purchasing a new Windows 10 licence, that isn't a problem because you can legally run Windows unactivated.
You just lose the ability to customise it through settings (there are other ways to do that though) and get a watermark in the bottom right of the desktop saying that it's not activated..

Cisco001

Try lubuntu

mksysb

Cisco001 said:

Try lubuntu

I would avoid any Ubuntu distribution as the are using snaps to install packages.  Mint should be ok.

Troytempest

Another vote for Linux Mint....

Bonhomie

Troytempest said:

Another vote for Linux Mint....

What hasn't been mentioned is that the ATOM N270 utilises a 32-bit instruction set.

So they'll be limited to what they can install.
If Xfce or MATE, which would be best for that ATOM CPU, the 32-bit editions reached end of long term support in April.
So that leaves just LMDE 5 Cinnamon Edition based on Debian Bullseye that has a 32-bit option: https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php

If it is still too much for the Netbook, they can consider using an earlier, though the latest Xfce 32-bit release: https://linuxmint.com/torrents/linuxmint-19.3-xfce-32bit.iso.torrent

https://linuxmint.com/torrents/