Operating system 3
Linux XFCE
The safe, updated family internet machine.
Role
The everyday, internet-facing OS — shared by the family, kept current, light enough for the Athlon II. Admin is handled by you, so all candidates run the same friendly XFCE desktop and the choice is about what's easiest to maintain.
Distro choice
All XFCE, all 64-bit.
- Linux Mint XFCE — biggest community, easiest troubleshooting, most "just works". Current lean.
- openSUSE Leap XFCE — zero learning curve for you as admin (zypper/YaST already familiar).
- MX Linux XFCE — lightest on this old hardware.
Setup notes
- Install target: SATA2 SSD with the other drives unplugged; point GRUB at the SSD's own drive.
- Graphics: open-source nouveau driver — the old NVIDIA 340.xx branch won't build on modern kernels. Fine for desktop + browsing.
- SSD health: Linux issues TRIM (periodic
fstrim), so it benefits most from the SSD. - Display: 1280×1024 @ 60 Hz (native).
- Accounts: separate accounts for the family; keep day-to-day logins non-admin.
- Network: Atheros ath9k PCIe card, or reuse the Zyxel router as a bridge. Pending.
Optional theming
For a personal 80s look on your own login (without affecting family accounts): cool-retro-term, a synthwave GTK theme, neon icons, an Outrun wallpaper. Each account themes independently.