@nostupidquestions is it true that linux cannot run on a laptop without any SSD ?

I had gone inquiring at a couple of local stores regarding restoring my 2gb Ram laptop with 500gb HDD. At both of the places l was told that l need to put in at least 4gb of fresh ram + insert a bare minimum SSD, otherwise windows wouldn’t run on it.

When l said that l’d be working on linux, this technician guy told me that even linux has become heavy these days. Not sure what he meant by this, but extra ram burns a lot of holes, not mention about the price of SSD.

So, l just want to make sure. Is it true that modern machines won’t work without any SSD or machines with 2gb rams are simply fit for the museum ?

  • Reygle@lemmy.world
    1·
    3 hours ago

    The general understanding is that if you can interface a keyboard and display with a russet potato, you can boot and run Linux on it, and run stable.

  • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
    1·
    4 hours ago

    You do need some form of storage drive, like a modern m.2 or an old platter HDD, for example, because you do need to read and write somewhere.

    Having said that, Linux runs on super computers and ancient potatoes, Linux prettyuch could run on anything

  • Clearwater@lemmy.world
    5·
    7 hours ago

    An SSD will improve responsiveness, but it’s not strictly necessary. Linux is less HDD/SSD sensitive than Windows, but the difference is still there.

    However 2GB is really pushing your limits. You’ll get to desktop, but you’ll struggle to get a web browser happy with that. If you want to make a headless server out of it, however, that’s a perfectly fine amount.

  • Baggie@lemmy.zip
    9·
    17 hours ago

    Linux barely needs a CPU.

    I’m joking, but if you loaded up a lightweight distro on that it’d probably be fine

      • mrvictory1@lemmy.world
        0·
        4 hours ago

        I had a VM with that specs, win10 dialed down its ram usage to 1.4g. It took 3 mins to boot and another min to load chrome but was operable after that. Heck even 256m was enough to boot, but certainly not to install.

  • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.socialEnglish
    3·
    22 hours ago

    It’ll work, but modern apps might be slow as fuck with how they call for data to be loaded from storage if you’re using a hard drive. Though I kinda doubt this is a huge problem in programs other than video games.

    But also: You ca run Linux from a thumb drive or CD and not even have a storage device at all in the PC.

  • hexagonwin@lemmy.today
    6·
    1 day ago

    you can actually run it on ram and not disk (see tinycore linux) and have the system faster than even an ssd

    • ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.orgEnglish
      1·
      22 hours ago

      It’s a laptop so the battery will keep the RAM powered. Very clever and practical, especially for files so confidential you only have one copy − data burglars will be looking for disks. /s

  • Pommes_für_dein_Balg@feddit.org
    12·
    1 day ago

    2GB is cutting it short. Not for Linux, that runs fine. But the modern internet doesn’t, regardless of what browser you use.
    2x2GB RAM shouldn’t cost much, that’s useless for AI.

  • HuudaHarkiten@piefed.socialEnglish
    10·
    1 day ago

    Explaining Computers did a video about running various Linuxes on various low performance machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJGf8zVt3MI

    As someone who is running a ancient compaq laptop, with 4gb of ram, Debian 13, I can say that it works just fine. Cant do gaming etc with it, but all I do with this is use the browser, IRC and watch a racing stream every weekend. Works perfectly fine with those.

      • HuudaHarkiten@piefed.socialEnglish
        7·
        1 day ago

        If it has a video-out port, like a HDMI, plug that in and use a external monitor or TV. Other than that, open it up and check that the monitor connection is plugged in and not broken.

        For future inquiries about problems with your machinery, please include the make and model in your question. It is impossible to give tech support if people have to guess which machine you are using.

  • dihutenosa@piefed.socialEnglish
    63·
    2 days ago

    The 2GB of RAM are going to hit you harder than the HDD, if you intend to run a modern browser on it…

    • ag10n@lemmy.world
      9·
      2 days ago

      This, the computer will work great for basic tasks but anything JavaScript heavy will slow things down.

  • DigDoug@lemmy.worldEnglish
    49·
    2 days ago

    Linux can run off an HDD.

    Hell, there are versions of Linux that are designed to be run off a USB stick.