Best Linux distro for old Dell Inspiron 6000?

[VirtualLarry]

I guess it has either Intel 915M chipset graphics (which only had an XP 32-bit driver for Windows, no official Win7 driver), and some models optionally had an ATI X300 GPU.

It currently runs XP, and has 1280MB RAM and a 60GB HDD.

I've quoted the client prices for an SSD upgrade, basically I'm doing this job at cost.

Was trying to get them something more modern than XP on there.

Usage is apparently internet and facebook (vidos and games).

I know that Mint supports Flash Player, but I don't know if it supports video drivers for an Intel IGP that old.

Edit: Here, someone says upgrading to Ubuntu 9.10 fixed his 915M video support:
http://www.overclock.net/t/600018/ubuntu-intel-915m-drivers

Would newer Ubuntu versions still have that support?

I'm hopefully going to be able to test various Linux distros on the actual laptop soon.

 

[lxskllr]

Lubuntu would probably be best for something light that still resembles a modern desktop. Video should work.

 

[danzigrules]

I've been messing around with Linux Lite and it is starting to become one of my main choices. I normally run Mint 17.1 MATE.

http://www.linuxliteos.com/index.html

 

[schmuckley]

Lubuntu

 

[HOSED]

I would give bodhi linux a try http://www.bodhilinux.com/download/ the 32 bit uses ~200 MB at idle. This is a minimalist distro but the appcenter has all the standard stuff. Their forum is very helpful also! it is based on Ubuntu 14.04

 

[dbcooper1]

Larry, I think that's old enough that it's an IDE/PATA interface; SSDs are pricey last time I checked and decided against upgrading. I think it's single core as well; there would have to be something very special about it to make it worthwhile.

 

[bbhaag]

I'm a fan of Peppermint when it comes to a lightweight desktop for older hardware. It's built on Ununtu 14.04 LTS code which is nice.

It was their mission statement that won me over though.
"The notion that in order to use, enjoy and be proficient with Linux is that you will need uber-geek hacking skills is completely False. And, this is just the stigma surrounding Linux that needs to be erased once and for all with Peppermint. There hasn't been one person we have shown Peppermint OS to who hasn't understood how to operate it as a desktop environment by just putting it in front of them and turning it on."

 

[VirtualLarry]

Larry, I think that's old enough that it's an IDE/PATA interface; SSDs are pricey last time I checked and decided against upgrading. I think it's single core as well; there would have to be something very special about it to make it worthwhile.

PATA? Ugh. So much for the SSD idea.

My client has yet to actually get me the laptop to test out. Maybe I could just install Linux to a USB drive and boot off of it that way? Would a 16GB USB3.0 drive be fast and large enough?

Edit: It appears that you are correct. Thanks for the heads-up that it is a PATA drive.
http://www.notebookreview.com/notebookreview/dell-inspiron-6000-review-pics-specs-2/
"Ultra ATA"

Edit: I called the client and told them that it wasn't worth fixing up, because you couldn't put an SSD in it easily. (Yes, I know that there are a couple of fairly expensive and small PATA SSDs.)

 

[dbcooper1]

The problem with a USB3 drive of any size would be the USB port in the laptop; if it's old enough to be PATA drive, you can imagine the speed of the onboard USB.

 

[FrankRamiro]

I would try Xubuntu 14.04 but i would keep XP,some video streams works best in Win.
I have Dell dem 4500 p4 and i have win xp and Xubuntu,14.04 working on separated HDD, i can boot on either XP or Xubuntu.And both run great,i tried Mint 17 and it did not run good,had some bugs,so i re-install Xubuntu and now i'm find.About Lubuntu i never liked LXDE desktop.

 

[sweenish]

I use LXLE in a VM on an older laptop and it runs like a champ.

It looks like any distro mentioned here will fit the bill.

 

[nyker96]

I think lubuntu will fit ur spec nicely. LXLE is also excellent choice, both very light weight but heavy on functionality. if you want more standard distro go for lubuntu got canonical back you up, can't go wrong w/ that.

 

[sbpromania]

+1 vote for Lubuntu, it's created for low hardware specs, you should give it a try.

 

[VinDSL]

I'm a fan of Peppermint when it comes to a lightweight desktop for older hardware. It's built on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS code which is nice.

Agreed!

I think lubuntu will fit ur spec nicely.

+1 vote for Lubuntu

BTW, Peppermint Linux OS is a cloud-centric OS based on Lubuntu, a derivative of the Ubuntu Linux operating system.

Peppermint users can install applications natively from Ubuntu compatible repositories.

Peppermint is an Ubuntu spin and supports whatever is possible in Ubuntu.

 

[bodge]

I am a great fan of pclinuxos i have it running on a dell inspiron 6000
makes xp look what it is old and outdated.