Ideal Linux distribution for a failing laptop is Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Ideal Linux distribution for a failing laptop is Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Think about switching to a lightweight Linux distribution that’s easy on older hardware. Lubuntu works, but you might want something simpler like Xubuntu or even a minimal version of Ubuntu. These options are more compatible with older systems and require less resources.
There are several distros that work well with LXDE/LXQt, and since you already have Lubuntu, you’re in a good position. You might consider using the Xfce desktop (such as Xubuntu) if you’re comfortable making changes, or go for MATE (like Ubuntu MATE) for an even more customized setup. These desktop environments can be installed on your Lubuntu version and run without a login prompt. I’ve personally used Lubuntu Next 18.04 beta with LXQt on my Thinkpad T42, which performed well despite the slower boot time.
I suggest Mint. My 9-year-old Lenovo T500 works perfectly with it. The older version stopped supporting Windows 7 around 2015, which sparked my interest in Linux. It’s simple to set up, runs smoothly, and launches without much adjustment—truly revitalizing the machine. I was never expecting to love an operating system this way.
You can install Sierra on a Unibody Mac with some tweaking. A 2008 MacBook Pro handles it well. Windows 10 should also work. I’ve set up a dual boot between OS X and Windows 10. It might be more popular with Lubuntu users.