Seeking a lightweight operating system suitable for a detachable laptop.
Seeking a lightweight operating system suitable for a detachable laptop.
Hello everyone, I'm searching for a lightweight and fast operating system suitable for my detachable Lenovo Yoga duet 7 with a pen. Most of the time I use the touchscreen for browsing the web, taking notes, and running Android apps. Since I've moved away from Windows 11, it's consuming all my RAM and CPU due to Windows Defender. My laptop specs are: i5 10210u, 8 GB RAM, 1600 MHz clock speed, 1 TB SSD, and a 2K display.
windows is prioritizing memory usage by leveraging "all your RAM with that Windows Defender," since other programs aren’t utilizing it. Leaving unused RAM idle is inefficient, so the system might enhance performance by allocating more space for your app. Try loading a memory-heavy application to see how it handles paging. Additionally, touchscreen support in Linux has historically been poor, so you may need to adapt by using Android on Windows devices or accept a subpar interface.
If you're aiming to leave Windows behind, you'll likely be moving toward a Linux distribution. As long as you avoid heavy options like Garuda, you'll enjoy reduced RAM and CPU consumption compared to Windows 11—it's simply the performance level you desire. When choosing a distro for such a setup, focus on two key aspects: the base system and the desktop environment (DE). For beginners, Debian/Ubuntu-based systems are ideal because they offer extensive documentation, tutorials, and a wide range of software. Popular choices include vanilla Debian, MX Linux, Ubuntu (with more packages), Linux Mint, Pop_OS!, KDE Plasma, and several others. The main differences lie in default installations, update frequency, and maintenance support. Pick the DE that aligns with your preferences; Manjaro is a solid pick for its regular updates and helpful Arch Wiki, though it's less stable than Debian-based options. If you're comfortable customizing, Manjaro works well. The DE isn't crucial since Linux is modular—swap components easily if needed. KDE Plasma and Gnome are the top choices for touch support. KDE offers more customization and a lighter footprint with impressive features, while Gnome excels in touch interface quality and virtual desktop performance, though it can be heavier. There are also lightweight alternatives like XFCE, LXQt, and Cinnamin that suit touch-heavy use. If you prefer a traditional feel, Unity (Ubuntu's native DE) provides decent multi-touch support but may not be ideal for frequent touch interaction. Don't hesitate to test a distro with your desired DE in a live environment before committing—this can help you decide whether XFCE or Mate suits you better, even if the touch experience isn't perfect. For those who want flexibility, Chrome OS is available, though its Android app support is inconsistent. If you're looking for simplicity, Unity might be worth considering, but it's not a recent release. Ultimately, Fedora 35 with Gnome 41 on an 8GB touchscreen laptop performs exceptionally well and remains a dependable first choice. It's stable, well-documented, and comes with a polished GNOME experience—though it may require some familiarity with the documentation if you're new to Linux.
I dislike it since the laptop becomes too warm often. I’m searching for an operating system like Android—lightweight and quick.
It will become even warmer under another operating system. This isn't an issue with the OS itself, but rather with the laptop.
However, whenever I open Task Manager a lot, Windows Defender and some CPU usage increase too. I believe I'm moving toward Chrome OS.
I’d install Linux Mint Cinnamon on everything I touch—dozens of machines. I run it on an ASUS TP200 with modest specs, no issues, and it serves as both a troubleshooter and my portable workstation. No need for virus scanning; it’s straightforward and dependable, staying independent from Microsoft. It’s practical and works well.