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Asked: 2016-07-01 19:42:21 +0800 CST

Is Ubuntu 16.04 on 2GB RAM practical?

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The neighbor's 2005 tech (desktop and laptop) both have 512MB with XP. The plan is to replace XP with either lubuntu or Ubuntu (preferable).

lubuntu with 512M is tolerable on the desktop (Dell XPS400): not so with Ubuntu. Before I buy any RAM (2GB Max) for either computer, I would like to know if I can expect users to have a responsive experience on Ubuntu with 2GB. The latop is a EEE-PC 1000HE.

If you have experience running Ubuntu 16.04 on 2GB of RAM please state this in your response, hardware (SSD?), and comment if it is responsive. If it is not, then I am inclined to just leave them with 512MB and install lubuntu. Thank you

Update: Received temporary custody and here are the updated specs

16.04

4 Answers

  1. Ubuntu 32 bit version should work fine. There may be few glitches, but overall it will run good enough. Remember to keep a swap partition.

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  2. Ubuntu with Unity is not the best option for a <2 GB of RAM computer. Try to install Lubuntu or Xubuntu, LXDE and XCFE are lighter than Unity DE.

    Add a swap partition, at least 1 GB.

    EDIT

    Add a swap partition, at least 3 GB

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  3. I ended up installing all 3 (Ubuntu,lubuntu & xubuntu) the 2GB laptop. Ubuntu was a little slow and the other two were snappy. xubuntu seem to be just as snappy as lubuntu and its GUI is more similar to XP.

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  4. Sounds like since they are old, I would avoid Unity due to their processor. Lubuntu is still a great OS. I use it on my Pentium Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.5GHz and 4GB Ram.

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