… Related New to Linux? Here are 7 of the best beginner-friendly distros for you to try Get up and running with Linux in no time. Proton makes gaming a reality Play all your favorite games Linux used to suck at gaming. …
… That matters if you want the least complicated route to a Linux desktop. The M1 Mac mini also carries Apple’s hardware decisions with it. RAM is soldered, storage is not casually replaceable, and repairs are not as friendly as they should be. …
… LXCs are a godsend for underpowered machines Even a RAM-deficient PC can run a handful of containers When I talk about virtual guests that can perform well on old hardware, I’m usually referencing Linux Containers and the occasional CLI virtual machine. …
… Void Linux Void Linux is a lightweight, independent distro built for speed, simplicity, and control. Its lean design makes it a great fit for older hardware and minimal setups. It’s not the most beginner-friendly option, but it can make aging PCs feel surprisingly useful again.
… However, Linux wasn’t very approachable in the early 2010s, as most flavors didn’t have the same hardware compatibility or QoL services as their modern counterparts. Well, the current FreeBSD situation is a lot similar to how Linux was perceived back in the day. …
… Windows is a bit more dev-friendly than it was Still not the most popular choice, but it's finally a viable choice The most visible direction of convergence of Windows reaching toward Linux is the inclusion of Windows Subsystem for Linux. …
Ayush Pande May 22, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT Ayush Pande is a PC hardware and gaming writer. …
… So, you can use it for a bunch of beginner-friendly SBC projects. …
… Steam Machine can place Linux PCs in living rooms without forcing users to abandon Windows. Hardware costs, timing, and VRAM limits could undercut its mainstream appeal despite software gains. …
… Once they zero in on polishing up the HTPC experience for all hardware, it will be legitimately hard to beat. …