I just found an obscure Linux distro that’s outstanding on old hardware

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

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

Until last week, I’d never heard of Vinari OS. But now that I have, 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 having to install the software they need to use their PC. This distribution might be especially appealing to users wanting to finally leave the confines of Windows for greener pastures.

“With a thoughtfully curated suite of pre-installed tools, Vinari OS 5.0.0 KRYPTON lets you get started instantly. Create with ease using the versatile LibreOffice suite, stay connected with the elegant Geary email client, and browse the web effortlessly through Firefox,” the Vinari website says.

Vinari OS won’t overwhelm you with software (like some Linux distributions do). It includes only what you need to get started. You’ll find BleachBit, Geary, Firefox, LibreOffice, Secrets 9for creating/importing KeePass safes), Lollipop (music player), Videos, Contacts, Gnote, and a handful of other apps. 

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Vinari OS uses the GNOME desktop, but it does tweak it a bit with some thoughtful extensions, such as App Hider, Caffeine, Coverflow Alt-Tab, Dash to Dock, GSConnect, Launch New Instance, Overview Background, Removable Drive Menu, and several more. You can view/configure/enable/disable any of the installed extensions by using the Extensions tool.

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Based on Debian 13 Trixie, Vinari OS 5.0.0 KRYPTON offers an effortless experience for first-time Linux users and all the familiarity and power a seasoned user would need. 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 set Vinari OS apart from other Ubuntu-based distributions?

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VinariOS Tweaks

With most GNOME-based distributions, there’s the Tweaks tool that simplifies the customization of the desktop environment. With VinariOS, you get VinariOS Tweaks. What’s different about this tool is that it lays everything out in tabs like Style & Colours, Dock & Desktop, Fonts & Windows, and Misc. Settings. Within each tab, you get a user-friendly selection of tweaks, none of which should confuse you. 

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

Unique software

There are a few added tools in Vinari OS that you might not find on other distributions. Those tools include:

• Lanciatore: Allows you to create launchers for applications following 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 Vinari Software: Allows you to set the default wallpapers you want to use from various Vinari OS releases.

On top of that short list, you get:

• Synaptic as a secondary app store GUI.
• GNOME default apps (such as 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 Vinari OS?

It’s often hard to match a Linux distribution to a user because they are so varied and target different user experience levels. With Vinari OS, I would say that the best audience for this distribution would be new users. But why would you select a Debian-based distribution when you can go with the likes of Ubuntu or Linux Mint?

From my vantage point, you would select Vinari OS if you want a Debian-based distribution that offers a more modern UI than Linux Mint, but a more traditional layout than Ubuntu. I wouldn’t say the Vinari OS-specific applications are a draw for any new user, but the look and feel of Vinari OS is certainly attractive and user-friendly enough that anyone would 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, Vinari OS only consumes 1.07 GiB of memory at idle. It shows. I created a Vinari 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, Viniari OS is a solid option.

Even on a 2-core CPU, Vinari OS 5.0.0 KRYPTON unleashes your hardware’s full potential, redefining what performance means on Debian-based Linux systems: smart, fluid, and ready for anything. Vinari OS runs smoothly and efficiently. You’d almost think you were running a lightweight distribution, only with a full-blown desktop environment (GNOME). Apps open surprisingly fast (even LibreOffice opens in the blink of an eye), and it seems like nothing can bog this OS down.

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

All-in-all, my experience with Vinari OS was outstanding. It might not have made me want 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 want to do some good old-fashioned distro-hopping, do yourself a favor and give Vinari OS a try. You can grab an ISO from the official Vinari OS download page. The minimum system requirements are:

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

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