Arch users have the latest softwares, Debian users have LMDE. Is it real that Arch users are rich and have mid level PCs and is always up to date? Well they don't have Mint(debian edition). Dont need to ask if anyone using it tho cuz its Mint and Debian edition of a distro.
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I do have a powerful desktop running Arch (or rather EndeavourOS with the EndeavourOS packages slowly removed over time), but also a 15 year old netbook. There's plenty of up-to-date lightweight software in Arch repos, you don't need to limit yourself to old software.
Also it's not like a new version of GIMP is suddenly going to use double the memory if you use the same tools in it.
The biggest issue for the netbook is web browsing, but that's just about web pages being resource hogs nowadays. uBlock Origin and NoScript help massively. Trying to use an old web browser is IMHO a terrible idea - you'll end up with broken pages and a massive pile of security vulnerabilities.