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Most lightweight Linux distro for low end IBM processor netbook

Discussion in 'The Alternative OS' started by ReMiXeDg, Aug 5, 2011.

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  1. ReMiXeDg Banned Posts: 19

    I have a IBM think-pad with a 40GB Hard Drive, and Pentium 2 processor and 256MB RAM could anyone suggest what OS should I go with?


    I want something for web programming / browsing the internet.
    ReMiXeDg, Aug 5, 2011
    #1

  2. steeve Newcomer, in training Posts: 192

    steeve, Aug 5, 2011
    #2

  3. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    Most distro's should work if you use a very lightweight DE (desktop environment). Puppy would probably run best though.

    Crunchbang is worth a mention too, running XFCE as its DE, its also based on Debian so should give you more flexability with packages and software.
    Leeky, Aug 5, 2011
    #3

  4. steeve Newcomer, in training Posts: 192

    interesting point leeky. in the end it will be the 'eye candy' that eats up the lions share

    of the different mint versions, i would guess lxde is the lightest DE?
    steeve, Aug 5, 2011
    #4

  5. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    The lightest on CPU and RAM is actually Linux Mint XFCE edition. Some stats on RAM usage of it:

    Mint Xfce: 114 MB RAM (Mint 9 Xfce: 153 MB RAM)
    Mint Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox: 177 MB RAM (Mint 9 Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox: 212 MB RAM)
    Mint Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox + Thunderbird + VLC + Rhythmbox: 220 MB RAM (Mint 9 Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox + Thunderbird + Gnome MPlayer + Exaile: 256 MB RAM)
    Leeky, Aug 6, 2011
    #5

  6. steeve Newcomer, in training Posts: 192

    that is pretty light - am just installing it as we speak :)
    steeve, Aug 6, 2011
    #6
     

  7. ReMiXeDg Banned Posts: 19

    I'm starting to install Linux Mint XFCE Edition now.. Thanks for helping me out and im going with this, Mint Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox + Thunderbird + VLC + Rhythmbox: 220 MB RAM (Mint 9 Xfce + Writer + Calc + Firefox + Thunderbird + Gnome MPlayer + Exaile: 256 MB RAM)
    ReMiXeDg, Aug 6, 2011
    #7

  8. Leeky TechSpot Moderator Posts: 4,344   +59

    Aye, it runs lightning quick on my Q6600 based PC. I do have 8GB of RAM to play with though, but its responsiveness is several times quicker than Gnome which is by no means a slouch with my hardware.

    Can't wait to see it running with a dedicated SSD and my 6 core AMD 1055T. :D
    Leeky, Aug 6, 2011
    #8

  9. GuruX Newcomer, in training

    For my Eee 900 (yeah to slow one...) I run crunchbang linux. Excellent distro, debian based with OpenBox of XFCE as default WM. Most people tend to run OpenBox.
    GuruX, Aug 6, 2011
    #9

  10. steeve Newcomer, in training Posts: 192

    be interesting to see how it goes on an older machine

    good to hear some positive about chrunchbang - seems like it may have replaced damn small linux as the choice for older machines?
    steeve, Aug 6, 2011
    #10

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