Ubuntu – How to find out which version and derivative of Ubuntu is right for the hardware in terms of minimal system requirements

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For a given hardware configuration, how do I find out if Ubuntu will run on it? What considerations should I take into account when choosing an Ubuntu version and flavour such as:

Xubuntu with a lighter desktop than the usual Gnome and Unity
Lubuntu with the even lighter LXDE desktop

Obviously Ubuntu does not run on some processor architectures. So how do I go about choosing the right version and derivate. How can I find out the minmal system requirements?

Best Answer

Preliminary notes

First of all it makes no sense to install versions of Ubuntu that are no longer supported with updates. The reasoning is discussed at the bottom of this answer.

This answer will concentrate on currently supported versions of Ubuntu and its official derivatives.

If your hardware never connects to the internet and if you will never use software newer than is included on the respective install media, only then might it be prudent to use outdated versions. But who can be sure of that for all eternity?

You don't have to install Ubuntu to see if it works on your hardware. It is always a good idea to boot from live DVD/USB and see if the system runs okay (although slowly) on the given hardware.

Even if it seems not to work, you might be just one boot option away from a working system. See My computer boots to a black screen, what options do I have to fix it? For example the nomodeset option might help.

Currently supported versions and their minimal requirements

The community wiki usually offers an up-to-date list of currently supported versions. Minimal system requirements for Ubuntu can be found there in the tech specs. The Lists of Ubuntu certified hardware might also be of use to you.

Information on the derivatives is scarce but their requirements are less than what is listed here. Generally 32-bit versions take up less memory and tend to be faster on older systems, than their 64-bit counterparts. However, allot of software nowadays assumes 64-bit architecture. If you are unsure, install the 64-bit versions.

Supported versions of Ubuntu

20.04 and later Desktop recommended system requirements

2GHz dual core processor or better

4GB RAM

25GB of disk space

VGA capable of 1024x768 screen resolution

Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installation media

Internet access is helpful

16.04 Desktop recommended system requirements

2GHz dual core processor or better

2GB RAM

25GB of disk space

Graphics processor and display capable of at least 1024x768

Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installation media

Internet access is helpful

16.04 Desktop minimal

In order to run Unity the system needs a more capable graphics adapter.

Intel Pentium 4 processor or better

1GB RAM

Graphics processor and display capable of at least 1024x768

10 GB of disk space

17.10 and later Desktop recommended system requirements

64-bit 2GHz dual core processor or better

4GB RAM

25GB of disk space

Graphics processor and display capable of at least 1024x768

Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installation media

Internet access is helpful

17.10 and later Desktop minimal

64-bit processor for iso, Intel Pentium 4 processor or better for installation using the Ubuntu minimal CD. The Ubuntu minimal CD (for Ubuntu 18.04 and earlier) supports installation of Ubuntu on computers that have a 32-bit processor.

1GB RAM

Graphics processor and display capable of at least 1024x768

10 GB of disk space

Updates will be provided for Ubuntu 18.04 for 5 years until April, 2023. Updates will be provided for Ubuntu 19.10 for 3 months until July, 2020.

16.04 and 18.04 Server installation standard
- Ubuntu Server supports 3 major architectures: Intel x86, AMD64 and ARM.
- 1 GHz processor
- 512 MB of system memory (RAM)
- 1 GB of disk space (base system)
- 1.75 GB of disk space (all tasks installed)
- Graphics card and monitor capable of 640x480
16.04-21.04 Server installation minimal
- Ubuntu Server supports 3 major architectures: Intel x86, AMD64 and ARM.
- 300 MHz processor
- 256 MB of system memory (RAM) 64-bit, 192 MB RAM 32-bit
- 700 MB of disk space (base system)
- 1.4 GB of disk space (all tasks installed)
- Graphics card and monitor capable of 640x480

Security and maintenance updates will be provided for Ubuntu Server 16.04 until April, 2021 and for Ubuntu Server 20.04 until April, 2025.

Supported versions of Xubuntu

See Xubuntu help page.

16.04-18.10

Minimum systems requirements
To install or try Xubuntu within the Desktop/Live CD, you need 512MB of memory, 700 MHz processor and 7.5GB of free space on your hard disk.

Recommended systems requirements
To get a smooth experience when running multiple applications in parallel on the desktop, it is recommended to have at least 1GB of memory. It is recommended to have at least 20GB of free disk space. This allows new application installations as well as saving your personal data on the hard disk in addition to the core system.

Security and maintenance updates will be provided for Xubuntu 16.04 for 3 years until April, 2019 and for Xubuntu 20.04 for 3 years until April, 2023. Security and maintenance updates will be provided for Xubuntu 19.10 for 9 months until July, 2020.

19.04 and later

Minimum systems requirements
To install or try Xubuntu within the Desktop/Live CD, you need 512MB of memory, 64-bit 700 MHz processor and 7.5GB of free space on your hard disk.

Recommended systems requirements
To get a smooth experience when running multiple applications in parallel on the desktop, it is recommended to have at least 1GB of memory. It is recommended to have at least 20GB of free disk space. This allows new application installations as well as saving your personal data on the hard disk in addition to the core system.

Supported versions of Lubuntu

16.04-17.10

Processor (CPU)
The minimum specification for CPU is Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8. Older processors are too slow and AMD K7 has problems with flash video.

Memory (RAM)
For advanced internet services like Google+, YouTube, Google Docs and Facebook, your computer needs at least 1GB RAM. Install Lubuntu 32-bit for computers with <= 3GB RAM.

For local programs like LibreOffice and simple browsing habits, your computer needs at least 512MB RAM.

18.04 and 18.04

Processor (CPU)
The minimum specification for CPU is Pentium 4 or Pentium M or AMD K8. Older processors are too slow and AMD K7 has problems with flash video.

Memory (RAM)
For advanced internet services like Google+, YouTube, Google Docs and Facebook, your computer needs at least 2GB RAM. Install Lubuntu 32-bit for computers with <= 3GB RAM.

For local programs like LibreOffice and simple browsing habits, your computer needs at least 1GMB RAM.

19.04 and later

Processor (CPU)
64-bit processor

Memory (RAM)
For advanced internet services like Google+, YouTube, Google Docs and Facebook, your computer needs at least 2GB RAM.

For local programs like LibreOffice and simple browsing habits, your computer needs at least 1GMB RAM.

Lubuntu Alternate ISOs are for low-RAM PCs. Computers with less than 700 MB of RAM are considered low-RAM computers. Instructions are here.

Updates will be provided for Lubuntu 20.04 for 3 years until April, 2023. Updates will be provided for Lubuntu 19.10 for 9 months until April, 2020.

Supported versions of Ubuntu Core

Ubuntu Core, with an image size of 260MB, is the smallest Ubuntu release to date. This makes it ideal both for IoT devices and cloud containers. A new release of Ubuntu Core is released every 2 years on even numbered years (2016, 2018, 2020, etc.).

Processor – 600MHz processor (ARMv7 or greater, or x86)
System Memory – 128MB RAM or greater
Storage – 4GB flash / storage for factory reset and system rollback

Ubuntu Core 16, 18 and 20

~~Ubuntu Core 16 is based on Ubuntu 16.04, and is supported for 5 years.~~

Ubuntu Core 18 is based on Ubuntu 18.04, and is supported for 10 years.

Ubuntu Core 20 is based on Ubuntu 20.04, and is supported for 10 years.

^{RAM Usage of different flavors of 18.04 under baseline conditions (Click image to enlarge)}

Why you shouldn't use versions when their support has ended

Security risks: Eventually there will be an exploit that compromises security or system integrity of old Ubuntu versions
Software incompatibilities: Versions that are no longer supported will have increasing problems with this. Due to the lack of updates one will no longer be able to open the most recent LibreOffice documents or compile programs that need more recent libraries. Hardware drivers of recent devices will not be included in older kernels.
Decreasing availability of repositories: It might become very difficult to download software that does not already ship with the outdated version. Hosting repositories for very old versions cease to be economically viable at one point.