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I am getting an old laptop running. On my newer or desktop systems I use ubuntu or kubuntu. But for this machine (750MHz PIII, 512 M ram, 1280x1024 display with ATI rage graphics) the ubuntu derivatives fell big, heavy and slow. Would you please point me to some in depth review of distros running on this class of hardware? Edit: Here is an undated list of lightweight Linux distributions. Does anybody have recent in depth reviews of any of these? |
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Try a minimal install of Debian with xfce. http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/slimline-debian-install-its-easier-you-might-think I'm having a lot of fun with this set up on Debian Testing. http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/weekly-builds/ Not really a review, put a HowTo with enough details and pros/cons to earn a +1. Actually, this may be the route I finally go. Thanks.
(11 May '10, 21:29)
rschuler
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Linux Mint with its Community Editions worth a look (and a try) http://www.linuxmint.com/download_ce.php These Community Editions covers few desktops like Xfce, LXDE and Fluxbox known to run smoothly with limited hardware. Bye, Bruno |
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I would go with PClinuxOS LXDE, I have it running on 2 of my families laptops that I maintain and it runs flawlessly. I think you will like the Mandriva created control center that it utilizes as well, the *buntu's have nothing like it. here is the link: |
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on any low end machine, debian or slackware would be my choice. debian has the advantage of apt. as desktop, fluxbox is probably best. meanwhile, ubuntu 10.04 feels faster than fedora 12 on my x40 thinkpad with 512 mb of ram. (both running gnome.) |
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The definitive guide is http://distrowatch.com/ , go to the Search page and there is a specific "Old Computers" category - just select that and hit Query, it currently returns 18 active distributions. From each returned entry, open the link and you'll see a summary of the distribution with a list of full reviews (even for previous versions) from different sources. 512MB is plenty to run Puppy or DSL (Damn Small Linux) - Enjoy! |
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Try Slackware 12.2 I have not found hardware it will not run on. I have it running on a machine with 128MB RAM. It comes with several lightweight window managers and one heavy one. I would avoid KDE, and use Xfce instead. Zenwalk which is based on Slackware, is also very quick on old hardware. You can use the smaller distro like DamnSmallLinux, Puppy Linux, SliTaz, etc, but they have a limited range of applications. Slackware comes with everything but the kitchen sink. As in everything, YMMV. |
http://www.reviewlinux.com/ to column called "Linux Reviews" read #1, #11, #14, #15, #20 --stinkythink