How to choose a Linux distro for your old PC

Looking to resurrect or transform a laptop or desktop? There are lots of versions of Linux to choose from, all of them free (and awesome). Here’s how to decide which one is right for you. Ready to give your old computer a new lease on life? Even if it’s several years old and slow as molasses, you don’t have to consign it to the junk heap. Instead, install a new operating system and put it back into the rotation. Forget Windows, though: Linux is an open-source (and free) OS that’s just as capable, but with lower system requirements and fewer security issues. Deploy it and your old desktop or laptop will feel very much like new. For most users venturing down this road for the first time, the biggest challenge lies in deciding which version (aka distribution, or “distro”) of Linux to choose. There are literally hundreds of them, all with similar underpinnings but often vastly different user interfaces, application bundles, update frequency, support options and so on. So how do you pick? Make a plan for the PC What’s your end goal for the system? Are you planning to give it to someone else, perhaps a young or older user who has limited computing experience? In that case, you might want to look for a distro that’s beginner-friendly. Do you want to closely replicate the Windows experience? Some distros borrow heavily from Microsoft’s user interface, the idea being to smooth your transition. Or maybe you plan to put the PC to work as a file server or network-attached storage (NAS) box, in which case a more advanced distro might be the better pick. That said, whatever goal you have in mind, there’s one logical place to start…´ The obvious choice: Mint´ Although Ubuntu is arguably the Linux poster-child, Mint is the most widely used distro, and definitely an all-around great option. However, right from the jump you’re faced with a potentially confusing decision: Which desktop to choose? Mint is available with four interface options: Cinnamon, KDE, Mate and Xfce. Although each one gives you the same core Linux — the same kernel — the UIs are a bit different. Most users should opt for Cinnamon. Mate has a more old-fashioned interface, while KDE will appeal to users who want more menu-configuration options. Xfce is a good choice for older computers, as it’s a more “lightweight” version that can run smoothly on slower hardware. The user-friendly choice: Elementary OS True to its name, Elementary OS puts simplicity above all else. Instead of trying to duplicate Windows (or serving up one of the many common Linux desktops), it relies on a streamlined, icon-centric interface and “carefully curated” selection of apps. Indeed, Elementary makes your PC feel a bit more like a tablet, with large icons directing you to things like email, photos and music, and an app store for adding all manner of extra programs. Even with its seemingly lightweight UI, however, Elementary recommends at least a Core i3 (or comparable) processor, so it might not work well on older machines. What’s more, the OS is donationware: The developers request a minimum of $5 for your download, though it is possible to choose a custom amount and make it $0. The privacy-obsessed choice: Tails´ Want to operate a PC that’s effectively invisible to the outside world? Tails was designed to live on removable media — a flash drive, memory card or even DVD — so you can operate with total privacy. (How total? Tails is the OS Edward Snowden used to sidestep the NSA.) Based on the popular Debian version of Linux, Tails comes preloaded with basic tools: browser, email client, instant messenger and so on. But it routes all online traffic through Tor, which renders the user anonymous and invisible. So, yeah, a great option for spies, but also for folks who don’t like the idea of being watched online — even if it’s just by Google. The audio-production option: KXStudio´ Fuente