Mini Linux Distros
Definition: A "Linux distro" is a distribution, or particular
implementation, of the Linux operating system,
packaged with a set of applications and a user interface (referred to below as a "Desktop").
These Linux distributions are able to run on less powerful computers than standard Linux distributions. This makes them ideal for older, compact, or low-power-consumption computers, or for anyone who wants a sleek and fast computer without bloatware. To quote the description of Xubuntu, "Older computers feel lively again, while newer ones will run faster than ever before!"
A
note about RAM
requirements: Most of these distributions are
"Live CDs", meaning you can boot your computer from the CD to
try out the Linux distribution, then install it to your computer's hard
drive if you like it. Typically, the amount of memory needed
to run as a Live CD is greater than the amount of memory needed to run
from a hard drive installation. This is because the Live CD
uncompresses files from the CD into RAM before it can use the files.
Also, many of these distributions use a full graphical
environment while installing the distro to your hard drive.
The installation process can be very RAM-intensive.
In summary, the
RAM required to run a LiveCD is generally more than is required to run
from the hard drive, and the RAM required to install the LiveCD to the
hard drive is generally more than to run the Live CD.
The RAM minimums and recommendations collected for this chart
do not differentiate between these three phases of using the
distributions.
| Name | Base | CPU min/rec. | RAM min/rec. | Disk | Desktop | Notes |
| AntiX Mepis 7.0 | Mepis | Pent 2 | 128M, or 64M+128M swap | Install uses 893MB | Fluxbox, IceWM, Rox-filer, Rox-desktop | antix.mepis.org Fluxbox has more complete menus than IceWM Icewm hard to shut down Recognizes DWL-G630, works after reboot |
| Damn Small Linux (DSL) | (original) | Intel 486 | 24M/64M | Fluxbox | Base system fits on a 50MB mini-CD or a 128-MB
pendrive. See also DSL-N, its "slightly larger cousin". |
|
| Dream Linux 2.2 MMGL | Debian | XFCE + Engage | www.dreamlinux.com.br/ www.dreamlinux.com.br/gledition/overview.html provides Engage application launcher |
|||
| Dream Linux 3.0 | Debian | P3/ 1GHz | XFCE: 128MB Gnome: 256M | 200MB swap, 3.8GB root | XFCE, Gnome | "Alternative install: USB Memory Stick with 1 GB. See documentation for details." www.dreamlinux.com.br/download.html |
| Dyne:bolic | P1MMX / P2@400 | 64 / | XFCE | Multimedia tools Can bootstrap from CD but then load OS from disk Can save user data in encrypted file | ||
| ELive | Debian | 100/ 300 MHz | 64 / 128 M | Enlightenment | ELiveCD.org Spiffy Engage application launcher. |
|
| MiniMe | PCLinuxOS | 256/? | KDE | KDE is a full-featured desktop. PCLinuxOS MiniMe is "mini" simply by leaving out most applications, such as OpenOffice.org. You can add the applications you want using the Synaptic package manager. | ||
| Mint XFCE 3.1 | Debian, Ubuntu | ? | ? | ? | XFCE | www.linuxmint.com Like Xubuntu but with more software included, e.g. WiFi card drivers, multimedia support, etc. |
| Puppy Linux 3.01 | (original) | Pent 166 MMX | 128M or 64M+swap | 100MB | JWM, ROX-Filer | puppylinux.org or puppylinux.org/wikka/PuppyLinuxMainPage Prefers to load entirely into RAM, from which it runs very fast! |
| SAM Linux 2007 | PCLinuxOS | Pent | 128M | 3 GB (2GB root + 500MB swap + home) | XFCE + Engage | www.sam-linux.org DWL-G630 (Atheros) works. PCLinuxOS Control Center dialog boxes don't fit on 800x600 screen. |
| SymphonyOne 2008.1 | Ubuntu 7.10 | Pent 200 | Mezzo / FVWM | symphonyOS.com Compatible with all Ubuntu packages | ||
| TinyME | PCLinuxOS | 233/ | works with 128M | Uses 670MB in "/" | OpenBox? | docs.pclinuxos.com/TinyME Looks nice Uses 37MB RAM at desktop PCMan file mgr adds icon for newly inserted USB devices |
| Xubuntu | Ubuntu | ? | 192M/256M | 1.5 GB | XFCE | www.xubuntu.org/ 128 MB RAM to run the LiveCD, 192 MB RAM to install. The Alternate Install CD requires only 64 MB RAM. |