I just found an obscure Linux distro that is excellent on older hardware

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ZDNET Highlights

• Winari OS is based on Debian 13.
• GNOME DE offers a modern and attractive UI.
• This Linux distribution can run on old and new hardware.

Until last week, I had never heard of Winari OS. But now that I have it, I’ve found it to be a gem of an obscure Linux distribution that caters to new users who don’t want to bother with post-install tweaks or install necessary software to use their PC. This distribution may be especially attractive to users who eventually want to leave the confines of Windows for greener pastures.

The Winari website says, “With a thoughtfully designed suite of pre-installed tools, Winari OS 5.0.0 Krypton lets you get started right away. Create with ease using the versatile LibreOffice suite, stay connected with the elegant Geary email client, and browse the web with ease through Firefox.”

WinARi OS won’t overwhelm you with software (as some Linux distributions do). It includes only what you need to get started. You’ll find BleachBit, Geary, Firefox, LibreOffice, Secrets 9 for creating/importing KeePass Safe, Lollipop (music player), Video, Contacts, JNote and a few other apps.

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Winari OS uses the GNOME desktop, but it modifies it a bit with some thoughtful extensions, like App Header, Caffeine, Coverflow Alt-Tab, Dash to Dock, GConnect, Launch New Instance, Overview Background, Removable Drive Menu, and many others. You can view/configure/enable/disable any installed extensions using the Extensions tool.

Based on Debian 13 Trixie, WinAR OS 5.0.0 Krypton offers a seamless experience for first-time Linux users and all the familiarity and power needed for an experienced user. Out of the box, you also get Flatpak and AppImage support, so you’ll have plenty of software to install with the help of the GNOME Software GUI.

But is there anything special to differentiate Winari OS from other Ubuntu-based distributions?

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change in winarios

As with most GNOME-based distributions, there is a Tweaks tool that simplifies customization of the desktop environment. With VinariOS, you get VinariOS tweaks. The different thing about this tool is that it gives everything in tabs like Style & Colors, Dock & Desktop, Fonts & Windows, and Miscellaneous. Settings. Within each tab, you get a user-friendly selection of tweaks, none of which will confuse you.

In miscellaneous. The Settings tab gives you options to reset parts of the desktop. With the click of a button, you can reset the Winari OS desktop back to out-of-the-box settings. This can come in handy if you configured something in a way that doesn’t work, or you’ve made too many configurations and need to start over.

unique software

Winari OS has some additional tools that you may not find on other distributions. Those tools include:

• Lanciatore: Allows you to create launchers for applications that adhere to the FreeDesktop standard.
• Integrity Check: Allows you to run checksums on downloaded files (such as ISO images).
• Firefox Updater: Allows you to quickly upgrade the Firefox browser.
• Tapiz Winari Software: Allows you to set the default wallpaper to be used from different Windows OS releases.

At the top of that short list, you’ll find:

• Synaptic as a secondary app store GUI.
• GNOME default apps (like weather, maps, and sound recorder).
• GDebi package installer (so you can easily install apps from downloaded files).
• Impression is a USB ISO burner.

Why would you choose Winari OS?

It is often difficult to match Linux distributions to a user because they are so diverse and target different user experience levels. As with Winari OS, I would say the best audience for this distribution would be new users. But why would you choose a Debian-based distribution when you can go with a distribution like Ubuntu or Linux Mint?

From my vantage point, if you want a Debian-based distribution then you would choose Winari OS which offers a more modern UI than Linux Mint, but a more traditional layout than Ubuntu. I wouldn’t say that Winari OS-specific applications are attractive to any new users, but the look and feel of Winari OS is certainly attractive and user-friendly enough that anyone will be able to enjoy this open-source operating system.

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The real selling point for me is the efficiency of the OS. According to the developers, Winari OS consumes only 1.07 GiB of memory when idle. It shows. I created a Vinary OS virtual machine with only 3GB of RAM and two cores, and it ran as smoothly as if it were on bare metal. To that end, if you want a modern experience on older hardware, Vinary OS is a solid choice.

Even on a 2-core CPU, WinAR OS 5.0.0 Krypton unleashes the full potential of your hardware, redefining what performance means on a Debian-based Linux system: smart, fluid, and ready for anything. Winari OS runs smoothly and efficiently. You’ll almost think you’re running a lightweight distribution, just with a full-fledged desktop environment (GNOME). Apps open surprisingly fast (even LibreOffice opens in the blink of an eye), and it seems like nothing can mess up this OS.

As far as support is concerned, Winari OS 5.0.0 will be supported until 2030, so you can install this version and not worry about upgrading for more than four years.

Overall my experience with Winari OS was excellent. It may not have inspired me to switch from my beloved Pop!_OS, but it certainly has an appeal that many users will appreciate. If you’re looking for your first Linux distribution, or you just want to do some good old-fashioned distro-hopping, do yourself a favor and try Winari OS. You can get the ISO from here Official Winari OS Download PageThe minimum system requirements are:

• Processor: Dual-core 64-bit Intel or AMD only
• Memory: 2GB (4GB required for better experience).
• Graphics: AMD, Nvidia, or Intel.
• Display: 1024×768 resolution.
• Startup System: BIOS or UEFI.
• Storage: 10 GB free on EXT4 partition.
• Input device: Touchscreen, touchpad, or mouse and keyboard.