One of the best things about Linux is that there is a distro for everyone, no matter what type of hardware you're using. You can take a janky old laptop out of your attic, dust it off, install Linux, and you're good to go.

But with so many Linux distros available, figuring out the best option for your laptop can feel overwhelming. So, read on to find out the best Linux distro for your laptop type, be that old, Ultrabook, or anything in between.

Best Linux Distro for Old Laptops: Lubuntu

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Let's start with those aging, venerable machines: your old laptop. Linux carries a strong reputation for breathing life into old hardware, and Lubuntu is one of the best options.

Lubuntu, as you might guess from the name, is an Ubuntu derivative. It uses a different desktop environment from Ubuntu, opting for the more lightweight and less resource-intensive LXDE desktop instead of GNOME. The result is a lightweight Linux distro that will run nicely on an older laptop.

Lubuntu requires a minimum of 1GB RAM for "advanced internet services" such as YouTube and Facebook, while just 512MB RAM will suffice for basic operations such as LibreOffice and basic web browsing. In terms of CPU, you'll need at least an Intel Pentium 4 or Pentium M, or an AMD K8.

Related: Lightweight Linux Distributions to Give Your Old PC New Life

Best Linux Distro for Mid-Range Laptops: Linux Mint

Linux Mint is one of the go-to options for Linux newcomers. It includes a heap of applications, plus it is user-friendly, stable, and doesn't require a huge amount of system resources.

The beauty of a distro like Mint is that you can scale it up to match your hardware specifications. The minimum system requirements are relatively low, requiring just 1GB RAM (2GB for the best experience), a 2.0GHz dual-core processor, and 20GB storage. That's the minimum specs, mind. If you have a more powerful machine, you'll get more from the distro.

Once installed, you have various desktop environments to choose from and an app repository with tens of thousands of options, among other things.

Best Linux Distro for High-Performance Laptops: Solus

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Solus is a versatile Linux distro that will suit those with more powerful laptops. While Solus can run on a laptop with less powerful hardware, it shines brightest when it has some extra oomph to play with.

In that, Solus comes with multiple editions, including Solus Budgie, "A feature-rich, luxurious desktop using the most modern technologies," and Solus Plasma, "A sophisticated desktop experience for the tinkerers." Solus also includes a wide range of popular apps in its repository. While the base number of installed apps is fairly small, you can rapidly expand without much trouble. It comes with rolling updates, and a decent enough package manager, too.

If you want to give Solus a try, its minimum requirements are at least 2GB RAM, a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor, plus a minimum 10GB storage drive.

Best Linux Distro for Ultrabook's: Elementary OS

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Ultrabooks are sleek, beautifully crafted machines that require a sumptuous operating system to boot. Enter Elementary OS, one of the most beautiful Linux distros around. It is an eye-catching alternative to Windows or macOS, delivering a stylish aesthetic that will suit any Ultrabook.

But, enough about looks, what about substance? Well, Elementary OS has that, too. It won't suit everyone, that's for sure. But it comes with a decent range of drivers, aimed to support a wide range of laptops, old and new. In that, you can rest assured your Ultrabook will work well with Elementary OS (of course, double-check compatibility before downloading and installing any Linux distro).

Like many Linux distros, Elementary OS doesn't come with heaps of pre-installed apps to keep the installation package small. You'll find a browser, email client, and a few standard tools. But it supports all popular Linux applications, and there are multiple installation options, including a package manager and App Centre.

Elementary OS recommends using a "recent Intel i3" or comparable dual-core 64-bit processor, 4GB RAM, and a solid-state drive with 15GB storage. There is no minimum specification, but machines with older hardware might struggle with some of the visual styles and elements in Elementary OS. But those with a powerful Ultrabook can head to the App Center and begin installing and upgrading the operating system, creating a beautiful Linux experience.

Best Linux Distro for Gaming Laptops: SteamOS

SteamOS

If it's gaming you're after, you should consider the official SteamOS Linux distro.

SteamOS is a Debian-based distro with extensive support for the Steam gaming platform. Out-of-the-box, you'll find drivers for controllers, display configurations, and much more. Once it's up and running, the ease of use and access with your Steam library is excellent.

However, the downside is that SteamOS is designed for Steam games only, so you won't be able to fire up Wine and play something else. As you can dual-boot your laptop, you're not restricted to a single distro, meaning you can work around the issue. But if you are thinking about gaming on Linux, check out some of the other common questions and issues you might face.

To run SteamOS, you'll need a laptop with a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor, at least 4GB RAM, and a minimum 200GB storage drive (though you'll want something larger for your games).

How to Choose a New Linux Distro?

With so many Linux distros out there, figuring out which one will suit you and your hardware does feel overwhelming at times. There are few things you can do to narrow your options down:

  • Hardware specifications: Check the hardware specifications for your laptop and the minimum or recommended hardware specs for the distro.
  • Usage: Consider what you're doing with the distro and the laptop. If you're just word processing, checking your emails, and browsing the web, you don't need a specialized distro like OpenSUSE.
  • Check different versions: Many Linux distros are built with lightweight installations in mind, and therefore come with multiple download options. If the main distro is too heavy for your laptop, check if there is a more lightweight option. A prime example of this is Ubuntu, with its many derivative options, such as Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Kubuntu.

The best thing about Linux is that it's free and open-source, so you can experiment to your heart's desire.