I have an Acer Chromebook R11 which has reached End of Life and won’t receive updates (which is insane, I bought it new four years ago). I have checked, and my model is now fully supported by most Linux distros.

I need suggestions for a lightweight distro to use. I will use the machine for surfing, playing Pixel Dungeon, streaming some indie games over Moonlight/Steam Headless and manage my home server over ssh. So nothing major. I want something lightweight and really low maintenance.

Specs:

  • Processor: 1.6GHz quad-core Intel Celeron N3150 (quad-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.08GHz with Turbo Boost)

  • Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics

  • Memory: 4GB DDR3L

  • Storage: 32GB (with SD card reader for more storage)

I have a lot of experience with Arch-based (EndeavourOS, Manjaro), Ubuntu-based (Mint, PopOS) and Debian-based (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Raspbian) distros, but I am open for other suggestions

  • @spacemanspiffyEnglish
    3•3 months ago

    I had a good experience with GalliumOS on an x86 Chromebook years ago: https://galliumos.org/

    I eventually switched it to run Arch but I will admit that it had WAY better support/stability with the touchscreen/touchpad on Gallium than with Arch.

    Edit: I just looked at the news page and realized it does not look to be actively maintained now.

    • @jrgnOP
      2•3 months ago

      Gallium is not maintained anymore though :(

      • @spacemanspiffyEnglish
        2•3 months ago

        Yes, sorry, just realized.

        Hopefully most of the patches and tweaks that were put in to Gallium are all mainlined now so all regular distros can benefit.

        • @jrgnOP
          2•3 months ago

          No problem! Yeah, I think they mostly are, which is great