Well, it depends on the system architecture. I do know that Linux Mint 16/Petra works on a Vista-era laptop, but you have to use the kde or xfce desktop versions. The "shiny Hawtness" of Mint's preferred Cinnamon desktop requires 64-bit architecture.
Mint is pegged to Ubuntu, so that's an option as well, you just have to find a version that fits what you've got for architecture; the "default" version wants to go for a lot of shiny new stuff. Between the two of them, they've got the lion's share of Linux installs, so they've a robust file repository, and the Majority of Steam games for Linux process quite happily on them.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll
Mint is pegged to Ubuntu, so that's an option as well, you just have to find a version that fits what you've got for architecture; the "default" version wants to go for a lot of shiny new stuff. Between the two of them, they've got the lion's share of Linux installs, so they've a robust file repository, and the Majority of Steam games for Linux process quite happily on them.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll