Recommended Distro For Lower Spec Hardware (2011)

[oz]

Which distribution would you most recommend for lower spec or older/weaker computer hardware?



Note that the poll from last year has been locked, but it can be found here:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...re-2010-a.html

[PrinceSharma]

I have tried Linux Mint Lxde and Slitaz both on my sister's old P4 desktop with 256 MB RAM, both worked with a grace, though I found Slitaz more useful and peppy in there .

[chadfluegge]

Slitaz!

[MikeTbob]

Other! I know it isn't a "Distro", but hey, it's my vote.
Parted Magic is the bees knees. Is there anything it won't run on?? I have an old digital Timex watch from the 1980's, I'm thinking of trying Parted Magic on it.

[oz]

I used to always recommend Damn Small Linux but since development has stopped on it, I've been recommending Puppy. There are several other lightweights that I'd like to try if enough spare time should present itself.

[hazel]

I love Crux because of its speed of running. Even on a P3 with only 256MB RAM, it races (except for real heavyweight programs like OOo or the Gimp, which take their time starting) and it boots like a dream. The flip side is that the compiling takes a long time; I often leave the machine running overnight to get that done.

If you don't want the compiling problem, I'd recommend a netinstall of Debian; you get a very basic system to start with and you can then craft a set of applications to suit your machine's capabilities.

[MASONTX]

Lubuntu, Mint LXDE, Puppy, or AntiX have all worked for me on older equipment.

[nujinini]

Puppy, Anti-X, and maybe Mint

[zenwalker]

I would have to say, in this order
1) antiX-M8.5-i486
2) crunchbang-10-xfce-i486
3) zenwalk-6.0-i486

has anyone tried Connochaet OS (formerly Deli Linux)?

[reed9]

It rather depends on just old old or underpowered the hardware is and the user. Obviously, I like Arch, so I voted that way, but it does need an i686 processor. IF I had a box that I couldn't run Arch on, Slitaz would be my choice.

Frankly, I surprised to see Damn Small on the poll, but no Slitaz or TinyCore. Seeing as how DSL is dead, TinyCore is developed by one of the former DSL people, and Slitaz requires almost as few resources as DSL did, plus comes in a smaller image.