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How do I find out which version and derivate of Ubuntu is right for my hardware in terms of minmal system requirements?

I have a 2nd generation core i3 processor (2.30 GHz). It was preloaded with 64-bit Windows 7. It ran smoothly with 2 GB RAM. Will Ubuntu 64-bit be the same or does it require 4 GB or more?

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Check this for general guideleines on how to upgrade and release notes :askubuntu.com/q/110477/56338 – bebojoor Apr 26 '12 at 8:17
I'm running Ubuntu 12.04 on an HP with Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHZ and 2 Gigs of Ram and it runs great! – user79901 Aug 19 '12 at 7:19
My experience: 10.04 32bit running great on a 256MB P4 1.5GHz. On the other hand, a somewhat old Toshiba notebook failed to load many drivers with 12.04. So I switched to 10.04 and all is great again. – Vorac Oct 11 '12 at 10:24

marked as duplicate by con-f-use, Uri Herrera, Mik, Ringtail, Amith KK Oct 26 '12 at 6:26

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5 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

It should run well, although a 32-bit version would run even better! ;)

Instead of relying on our opinions, you can test Ubuntu using a LiveCD. Nevertheless, here's the official word:

[For installing]

The minimum memory requirement for Ubuntu 12.04 is 384 MB of memory for Ubuntu Desktop. Note that some of your system's memory may be unavailable due to being used by the graphics card. If your computer has only the minimum amount of memory, the installation process will take longer than normal; however, it will complete successfully, and the system will perform adequately once installed.

[For upgrading]

While the minimum memory requirement for 32bit is 384 MB, a minimum of 512 MB is needed for the 64bit installation. On systems with only the bare minimum amount of memory, it is also strongly recommended to use the "Install Ubuntu" option as it uses less memory than the full live session.

Ubuntu Desktop System Requirements for 12.04 LTS

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There was a bug in the 32 bit version of the Ubuntu installer, which was solved by uninstall a package which showed a presentation during installation. Either use of the 64-bit or the Alternative installer solved the problem. The 64-bit version is faster, as it doesn't need to be backward compliant to old slow instructions. It can't use more than 4 GB RAM either, without a small time penalty. The 64-bit version takes slightly more memory to run, but is faster and takes full advantage of more memory. So the memory "issue" is usually not a problem. – Anders Jun 12 '12 at 16:16

All I can say is do your research, and await other replies, as I'm a Ubuntu rookie.

Ubuntu does not perform well (speed-wise) with the very low minimum specifications they say will work (i.e., less than 1 GB RAM). I tried 11.10 and 12.04 with 1.5 GB and 2.0 GB RAM.

I last attempted 12.04 with a Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB RAM, and was very disappointed by very slow multitasking and file moving. 32-bit was better than 64-bit. The experience was like the initial disappointment with a new Vista system.

I would suggest yes, go for 4GB RAM, as I'm upgrading to 4 GB or maybe 6 GB. Advice I have had from other Linux forums, would support this.

Ubuntu 12.04 is resource hungry, and I am trying out Lubuntu as an option, they say much faster, but less of an overall multimedia sytem than Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

If you are like me the performance Issues are important. (My PC rage issue.)

I like fast file moving/copying, and I like to multitask ( Vista performs better at this in my experience in my Ubuntu trials).

So good luck.

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In what way is Lubuntu less suited to multimedia? – Eliah Kagan Aug 3 '12 at 18:03

It should be fine My computer is a 3gb ram and 2.0GHz amd Athlon and my Ubuntu 12.04 runs better that windows 7, and also I use many visual effects on Ubuntu and windows effects are all off. And I have never used more than 1.8gb of ram and that time I was testing and my computer froze because the CPU was fully used. PS: my laptop is 4 years old

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12.04 running beautifully here on a [September 2011 built] Dell Vostro 1015 with a single core, 2.3GHz Celeron CPU and 4GB RAM. The machine was supplied with Windows 7 Home Premium and that was slower to boot, less effective at rendering Beeb iplayer material in HD and generally less fluent in its operation.

Using the alternative (upgrade) ISO, I'm now installing 12.04 as an upgrade to 10.04LTS on an older [2005] Latitude with 1GB RAM and a 1.2GHz Pentium, it ran surprisingly well when trialled from a live CD so I'm expecting it too will be perfectly adequate, though the Latitude's 64MB graphics chip might struggle with the iPlayer, we'll see....

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I'm running a Dell laptop with dual core Intel Pentium processor with 2GB of RAM using onboard Intel HD graphics and 12.04 runs fast. Perhaps not as smooth as Windows 7, but not far behind.

I think that a lot has to do with drivers when it comes to speed in Linux. I found Ubuntu 12.04 to be incredibly slow on an older dual core Athlon with 3GB of RAM and ATI GPU.

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