This page provides hardware specification tables for the operating systems and configurations discussed across this site. It belongs in our support section and addresses a concrete reference need: before you download an installer or buy an SSD, you need to know whether your hardware meets the requirements for the environment you plan to run.
I have tested every configuration listed below on physical hardware during refurbishment projects spanning more than a decade. The minimum figures represent the actual lower bound where the system boots and is usable for basic tasks - not the theoretical minimum from the project's documentation, which is often optimistic. The recommended figures reflect the point where the experience feels genuinely comfortable rather than merely functional. Below we cover lightweight Linux distributions, ChromeOS Flex, dual-boot configurations, and the Presto boot environment. For help with installation and setup, visit the Support hub.
Lightweight Linux Distributions
These figures apply to the distros compared in our lightweight Linux guide. All measurements assume a graphical desktop with a single browser tab open.
| Component | Minimum (antiX, Puppy) | Minimum (Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Mint XFCE) | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz single-core x86 | 1 GHz dual-core x86 | 1.5 GHz dual-core or faster |
| RAM | 256-512 MB | 1 GB | 2 GB or more |
| Storage | 4 GB (antiX), 512 MB (Puppy in RAM) | 10 GB | 20 GB SSD |
| Display | 800x600 | 1024x600 | 1366x768 |
| Firmware | Legacy BIOS or UEFI | Legacy BIOS or UEFI | UEFI preferred |
ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex is a good option for machines that will primarily be used for web browsing. Its requirements are higher than lightweight Linux but lower than modern Windows. See our ChromeOS Flex vs Linux guide for a detailed comparison.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel or AMD x86-64 | Dual-core, 2 GHz or faster |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 16 GB | 32 GB SSD |
| Display | 1280x800 | 1366x768 or higher |
| Firmware | UEFI or Legacy BIOS | UEFI with Secure Boot |
| Network | Wi-Fi or ethernet for activation | Stable internet connection required |
32-bit machines are not supported. If your laptop has a 32-bit-only processor (common in pre-2008 machines and some Atom netbooks), ChromeOS Flex will not install. Use a lightweight Linux distro with 32-bit support instead.
Dual-Boot Configurations
Running two operating systems on the same machine requires enough storage for both and enough RAM to run whichever one is currently active.
| Configuration | Minimum Storage | Recommended Storage | RAM Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 + Lightweight Linux | 60 GB (40 GB Windows + 20 GB Linux) | 120 GB SSD | 4 GB minimum, shared between both at boot |
| Windows 10 + ChromeOS Flex | 80 GB (40 GB each) | 120 GB SSD | 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended |
| Two Linux distros | 30 GB (15 GB each) | 60 GB SSD | 2 GB minimum |
Presto Boot Environment
The Presto environment is designed for the widest possible hardware compatibility. For detailed installer notes and preparation steps, see the Presto installer notes page.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | x86 or x86_64, 1 GHz | Dual-core, 1.5 GHz or faster |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB or more |
| Storage | 8 GB | 20 GB SSD |
| Firmware | Legacy BIOS or UEFI | UEFI with configurable Secure Boot |
| USB for installation | 2 GB USB 2.0 | 4 GB USB 3.0 |
How to Check Your Current Specs
If you are not sure whether your machine meets the requirements above, these steps will tell you exactly what you have.
Processor and RAM on Windows
Right-click the Start menu, select System. The processor model and installed RAM are listed under Device Specifications. For more detail, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Performance tab.
Storage type and capacity
Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, and select your disk. It will show whether you have an HDD or SSD, the capacity, and current utilisation. For interface details (SATA, M.2, NVMe), use a tool like HWiNFO or Speccy.
Firmware type
Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. The BIOS Mode field shows Legacy or UEFI. This determines your USB preparation method and whether Secure Boot is a factor.
On Linux
Run lscpu for processor details, free -h for RAM, and lsblk for storage devices. Check for UEFI by looking for the /sys/firmware/efi directory.