Modern Linux distributions are designed to appeal to a large number of users using modern hardware. As a result, they have become too heavy for older machines, even if you manually delete the files. Without a good amount of system memory and an extra core or two, these distros may not provide the best performance. Fortunately, there are many light distributions, expertly tuned and adjusted, that can be used to breathe new life into old material. Keep in mind, though, that you have to work with lighter distros: they usually handle older kits by removing almost everything you take for granted, like wizards and scripts that make everyday tasks easier. . That being said, these lightweight distros are perfectly capable of reviving old hardware and can even replace your current operating system, if you're willing to adapt to the way they work and install additional programs if necessary.
Image credit: Absolute Linux.
1. Absolute Linux
A featherweight distribution designed for the office. Easy to configure Distro very simplified and agile. Lots of help documentation at your fingertips. Absolute Linux is a lightweight distribution designed for use on a desktop. Therefore, it is pre-installed with the Firefox browser and the LibreOffice suite. It's based on Slackware 14.2 but unlike its main operating system, it aims to make setup and maintenance as simple as possible. New versions of Absolute Linux are released approximately once a year. The latest version (15.0) was made available for download in February 2018. It is available in 2 GB ISO format for 64-bit computers. The operating system is still in the beta testing phase and can therefore operate unpredictably, just as beta software does. Whichever version you choose, many light applications are available. The setup program is text-based, so there's no live mode, but it's incredibly easy to follow. The way Absolute is structured also means that you can add and remove packages from the installation media to create a distribution that's right for you, although you do need a bit of time and experience with Linux to get the package. The best of this feature. Once installed, Absolute Linux is incredibly snappy. This is provided by the lightweight IceWM window manager, as well as popular applications like LibreOffice, making it the ideal operating system for older machines. There is also a large amount of documentation available from the office to help new users.
2. TinyCore
Tiny by name, and certainly small by nature... An incredibly compact distribution. Three Size Options Unsurprisingly, the barebones main project offers the smallest of the Linux distributions, offering three variants in which you can create your own environments. The lightest version is Core, which is only 11MB, without a graphical desktop, but you can always add one after installation. If that's too intimidating, try TinyCore (currently v9.0). The operating system is only 16MB in size and offers a choice of FLTK desktop or FLWM desktop environments. You can also choose to install CorePlus, which is approximately 106 MB. This rotation offers a choice of lightweight window managers like IceWM and FluxBox. CorePlus also supports Wi-Fi and non-US keyboards. TinyCore saves size by requiring a wired network connection during initial setup. The recommended amount of RAM is 128 MB only. There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as well as PiCore, which is designed for ARM devices like the Raspberry Pi. This minimalist distribution does not have many applications. After installation, there's not much beyond Terminal, a basic text editor, and a network connection manager. The control panel provides quick access to different configurable parts of the distribution, such as the screen, mouse, network, etc. Use the Package Graph Manager - Applications & # 39; to install additional software such as multimedia codecs.
3. Lubuntu
A clean version of the popular operating system for old machines. Ubuntu but stripped down Uses smart lightweight applications Compatible with Ubuntu repositories. The "L" in Lubuntu stands for light weight and unabashedly appeals to Ubuntu users looking for an operating system that is less resource intensive than most modern distributions, but doesn't require you to compromise with your favorite applications. Lubuntu is primarily designed for older machines. The default desktop is based on LXQt, which consumes much less resources than the traditional Ubuntu Gnome 3 desktop. It comes with a large number of office, Internet, multimedia and graphics applications, as well as a wide range of useful tools and utilities. As a light distribution, Lubuntu focuses on its speed and energy efficiency. It offers alternative applications that require fewer resources when possible. Newer versions have also gone back to using LibreOffice instead of Biword for word processing. This does not mean that Lubuntu is missing: it is based on the Linux 5.00 kernel and Ubuntu 18.04, so it is a modern Linux distribution, it loses all its unnecessary weight, in the manner of a Rally car that has all but one of its seats removed. The latest version of Lubuntu (19.04 - Disco Dingo) has now reduced the minimum RAM required to run the OS to 500MB. However, to ensure optimal performance, try to use a machine with at least 1 GB of RAM. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Lubuntu's only selling point is its compatibility with the Ubuntu repositories, giving users access to thousands of additional packages that can be easily installed using the Lubuntu Software Center.
4.LXLE
A light trick on Ubuntu LTS Emphasize stability and support. Beautiful layout. Impressive range of applications. LXLE is a lightweight version of Linux based on the annual release of Ubuntu LTS (long term support). Like Lubuntu, LXLE uses the Lebe barebones desktop environment, but since LTS versions are supported for five years, it places an emphasis on stability and long-term hardware support. The most recent version at the time of writing (16.04.4) is a remastered version of the current version of Ubuntu LTS. Primarily intended for reviving old machines, the distro is designed to serve as an out-of-the-box desktop, specifically designed to appeal to existing Windows users. The developers spend a lot of time making all the necessary tweaks and modifications to improve performance, but they don't skimp on the niceties. Aesthetics are the main focus, as evidenced by the hundreds of included wallpapers, as well as clones of Windows features like Aero Snap and Expose. The distro offers complete applications in all categories such as Internet, Sound & Video, Graphics, Desktop, Gaming, etc. It also includes many useful accessories, such as a terminal-based weather application and Penguin Pills, a graphical interface for various virus scanners. Like Lubuntu, LXLE is available as a live image for 32-bit and 64-bit machines. Hardware requirements are at least 512 MB, 1 GB recommended.
Image Credit: Damn Small Linux
5. Damn little Linux
This compact operating system will work even on an old 486 PC 16 MB of RAM is enough to work Has many tools pre-installed despite the size. The latest stable version is very old. Damn Small Linux (DSL) is aptly named in that the installation image is only 50MB. Designed specifically for x86 PCs, it will run on an older 486 processor with 16MB of RAM. This means that it can run entirely in your system memory, which can result in incredibly fast speeds. DSL usually runs from a USB or CD, or you can do a Debian installation on a hard drive if you prefer. Despite the minimal size of the desktop, you may be surprised by the wide variety of pre-installed tools. You can browse the web with a choice of three browsers: Dillo, Firefox, or the Netrik text browser. You can also review Office documents using Ted's word processor and check your email with the minimal Slypheed client. Or, get your data in order with the latest file manager emelFM. The latest stable version of DSL (4.4.10) was released in 2008. However, you can update and add new applications with the help of MyDSL extension tool.
6. Porteus
The Slackware-based distribution is incredibly fast and optimized. It can work directly from system RAM. Elegant Choice for Office Environments You Can't Build Your Own Custom ISO Anymore This Slackware-based distro is designed to be completely portable and run on removable media, such as a USB stick or CD, but can be easily installed on a hard drive. The distro is incredibly fast because it is small enough to work entirely from system RAM. The only selling point for Porteus is that it exists in a compressed state (less than 300MB for Cinammon and MATE editions) and builds the filesystem on the fly. In addition to the pre-installed applications, all additional software for distribution is provided as modules, which makes the operating system very small and compact. Porteus is available for 32-bit and 64-bit machines. The distro gives users a choice of KDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Xfce, and LXDE desktop environments upon downloading the ISO image. Unfortunately, the option to create your own custom ISO image has been removed since we reviewed Porteus, but the predefined images offer a judicious choice of software and drivers, as well as an excellent selection of tutorials to help you get started.
Image credit: Vector Linux.
7. linux vector
Keep things simple and small... Very flexible layout Suitable for a home or office server Available in two variants. This cast's credo is "keep it simple, keep things small," and he handles that to great effect. It allows users to tailor the distribution to all possible applications. Vector Linux can be a super fast desktop for home users, and can be used to run servers or as a gateway for your desktop. . After a long time, Vector Linux 7.1 was finally officially released in July 2015 and now it comes in two versions: Light and Standard. The difference lies in the office environment used. Vector Linux Light uses the ultra-efficient IceWM solution for the desktop environment, while the standard version is optimized by Xfce. This Slackware-based distro tends to favor GTK+ apps like Pidgin Messenger, but you can use the TXZ package manager to retrieve and install additional software.
Image Credit: Puppy Linux
8.Linux Puppy
One of the veterans of the lightweight world of Linux. Wide range of applications. Different versions for different needs. The XenialPup edition works with Ubuntu repositories. Puppy Linux is one of the oldest light distros on the market. The project has resulted in a thin, elegant and fast distribution for 15 years and offers different versions depending on the underlying environment. Puppy Linux 8.0 (Bionic Pup) is based on Ubuntu Bionic Beaver (18.04). Barry Kauler, developer of Puppy Linux, also runs a double project called Quirky, a version of Puppy Linux built with the help of the Woof-CE custom tool. The distribution is full of applications, small in size, some are unconventional, like Homebank, which helps you manage your finances, or Gwhere, which is used to catalog disks. There are also graphical tools for managing Samba shares and configuring a firewall, for example. The wide variety of applications is impressive. Puppy Linux Bionic Pup Edition is compatible with the Ubuntu repositories, allowing users to access the major distribution's extensive collection of software. The convenient QuickPet utility can be used to install some of the most popular applications.
9. Linux Lite
Designed for those who won't pay for a new version of Windows Intended to make it easier for Windows users to migrate. It includes a large number of familiar applications Not the least demanding of the distribution. Linux Lite is based on Ubuntu (long-term support version 18.04 currently). It is specifically designed to allow Windows users, especially those using older machines running Windows XP, to integrate into the world of Linux. It includes familiar tools like Firefox (with built-in Netflix support), plus VLC Media Player and LibreOffice pre-installed. The operating system also includes the zRAM memory compression tool, which makes it faster on older machines. There is also a special utility "Upgrade Lite". Despite its name, this distro is not the least resource-intensive, requiring a 1.5 GHz processor and at least 1 GB of RAM to function properly. That said, it shouldn't be too much to ask for any computer made in the last decade. Try it out on modern hardware and you'll be amazed at how fast it works. Linux Lite can be booted from Live Media, such as a USB key or CD, or installed to your hard drive. It also supports multibooting so you can keep your existing operating system if you want. The distribution is available for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
10. Bunsen Labs
A cast that carries the Crunchbang torch. Fast performance Cleverly configured Openbox window manager Crunchbang (or #!) was a very popular Debian-derived distribution, specifically designed to use as little system resources as possible. Although it was discontinued in 2013, the community fondly remembered its speed and reacted with two distributions based on Crunchbang to continue its legacy. However, one of these successors, Crunchbang ++, has been removed. However, BunsenLabs is still active and its current version (Helium) is based on the latest stable version of Debian, which includes a perfectly configured Openbox window manager and its own base package repository. There is also a regularly updated point release option if you want to stay ahead of the curve. At least 256 MB of RAM is required to function (1 GB or more is recommended).- The Linux Format is the number one magazine to bolster your Linux knowledge, open source developments, release releases, and more. Subscribe to the print or digital version of the Linux format here