Category: Linux Distributions - Lightweight [Linux Distributions for older and smaller PCs] (19)

Category: Linux Distributions - Lightweight (19)
Linux Distributions for older and smaller PCs
Arch Linux
"Targeted at competent Linux users." Reported to work on Pentium Pro 200 MHz with 128 MB RAM.
BeaFanatIX (BFX) Linux
Successor to the discontinued BeatrIX Linux. For office and home users. Pentium/64 MB/1 GB. 128 MB RAM recommended. The distribution fits on a mini CD. Runs as Live CD or install to hard disk.
CRUX
"Targeted at experienced Linux users." Requires Pentium-2 class (i686) CPU. No info about RAM or hard disk requirements.
Damn Small Linux
Damn Small Linux requires 486 CPU/16 MB RAM/0.2 GB disk. Distribution is 50 MB and fits on a business-card-sized CD-ROM.
Debian
Established, stable, and used as the basis for many other Linux distributions. Debian will still run on Pentium 100/64 MB/1.8 GB. Debian packages are widely available.
DeLi Linux
"Desktop Light" Linux. 486/16 MB/0.3 GB.
Feather Linux
"Live CD" distribution (runs from CD-ROM or USB memory stick). 486/24 MB/0 GB.
Fluxbuntu
Ubuntu Linux with the lightweight Fluxbox window manager. Pentium 300/64 MB/1.5 GB.
MEPIS AntiX
A newer lightweight MEPIS derivative using Fluxbox. Live CD, or can install to hard disk. Pentium II/128 MB/1.5 GB. Recommended.
MEPIS Lite
Lightweight version of the very nice MEPIS Linux. Pentium/128 MB/2 GB. Commercial product - subscription required to download.
Puppy Linux
Boots from CD-ROM or USB memory stick, then runs entirely from RAM. Pentium 166/128 MB/0 GB. Can be installed to hard disk.
RULE Project
Not itself a distro, the "Run Up to date Linux Everywhere" (RULE) project makes Red Hat and Fedora Core installable on low-end computers.
SaxenOS
Formerly known as STX Linux. Pentium/32 MB/2 GB. (Link updated 13 Aug 07.)
Slackware
An old and established Linux distribution. Still runs on 486/32 MB/0.5 GB; also includes software for larger machines.
VectorLinux
An established lightweight Linux. Pentium/64 MB/1.5 GB. Based on Slackware Linux.
Wolvix
"Live CD" distribution, runs from CD-ROM or USB memory stick. 486/96 MB/0 GB, but can be installed to hard disk. Pentium CPU recommended.
Working Centre Linux
Canadian project to make older PCs usable as home computers. 486/16 MB/0.4 GB.
Xubuntu
Lightweight version of the popular Ubuntu Linux. Can install Ubuntu packages and applications. Pentium/64 MB/1.4 GB.
Zenwalk
Comes in four editions: Standard, Core, Live, and Server. Pentium 3/128 MB/2 GB. Lower performance on Pentium 2.