Lightweight Linux distribution
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A lightweight Linux distribution is a Linux distribution that uses relatively few resources, which may result in performance improvements especially on old computers with slower CPUs and less RAM.
One big factor that determines the resource usage and speed of a desktop distribution is the desktop environment it uses.[1][2] For example, version 10.10 of Lubuntu uses the LXDE desktop and requires a minimum of 128 MB of RAM and a Pentium II processor; it is a lightweight variant of Ubuntu that, in comparison, uses Unity as a desktop environment and requires a 1 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM.[3][4][5] The desktop environment can be changed in most Linux distributions, and the same Linux distribution may also have various versions with different desktop environments; examples are Porteus, which comes in LXDE, Xfce and Mate versions, and Zenwalk, which comes in Xfce and Openbox versions.
Overview of distributions[edit]
- Alpine Linux – a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution (307 MB) based on musl and BusyBox.[6] Mini download is 66 MB; base system (excluding kernel) is under 5 MB. Media download is 308 MB for version 3.1.3.
- Absolute Linux – a lightweight desktop-oriented distribution based on Slackware
- antiX – lightweight version (690 MB) of its parent distribution MEPIS Linux, based on Debian testing. Core install: 128 MB, Base approx. 300 MB. Package manager: Synaptic[7]
- ArchBang – inspired by CrunchBang Linux but based on the Arch Linux distribution instead of Debian. It uses the lightweight Openbox Window Manager to achieve the same look and feel.[8][9]
- BasicLinux – a very lightweight distribution (2.8 MB apparently) capable of running on an Intel 386 and 3 MB of RAM[10][11]
- Bodhi Linux – a lightweight and minimalistic distribution[12]
- BunsenLabs Linux - ?
- Chrome OS - ?
- CoreOS – a lightweight system (2×1 GB) than runs containers and provides cluster management capabilities
- CrunchBang Linux – No longer in development; succeeded by BunsenLabs.[13] A relatively large (771 MB) Debian based distribution designed primarily for speed and ease of use.[14][15]
- CrunchbangPlusPlus - ?
- Damn Small Linux – download: 50 MB. Additional software available as "DSL Extensions" and using the Debian APT tool, which has to be installed. "Light enough to power a 486DX with 16 MB of RAM"[16][17]
- Debris Linux - ?
- DeLi(cate) Linux - ?
- DebianDog - Debian Live CD shaped after Puppy Linux. It is packaged with JWM and IceWM, or Openbox and XFCE. Debian structure and behaviour are untouched
- Elive – a lightweight and complete distribution that can run in 64 MB of RAM and 100 MHz of CPU, based on Debian and using a customized Enlightenment as only Desktop environment
- Feather Linux – a lightweight Linux distribution (under 128 MB) derived from Knoppix. Now dormant.[18][19]
- Knoppix - ?
- LinuxBBQ – a very lightweight (291.5 MB) and resource-friendly distribution based on Debian Sid with TUI productivity applications.[20]
- Lightweight Portable Security – a lightweight live desktop-oriented distribution based on Arch Linux
- Linux Lite – A lightweight distribution with the XFCE desktop environment designed with new Linux users in mind.[21]
- Lubuntu – lightweight (705 MB) in comparison to Ubuntu, it uses the LXDE desktop.[3]
- LXLE – a full featured OS (apps preinstalled) for older hardware, using minimal resources, respun from Lubuntu. Media download, approx 1.3G.
- MX Linux - ?
- Nanolinux – a 14 MB distribution based on Tiny Core Linux.[22]
- Parabola GNU/Linux-libre - ?
- Peppermint Linux OS – download: 587 MB, based on Lubuntu[23]
- Porteus – it weighs in at under 300 MB, making it a lightweight contender[24] Comes with the LXDE and KDE desktops
- Puppy Linux – lightweight relative to most other Linux distributions[25] Download: 133−162 MB. Package Manager: Puppy Package Manager (PPM)
- Salix OS - ?
- Slax - ?
- SliTaz – 35−42 MB distribution; Package Manager is Tazpkg with its repository of packages[16]
- Tiny Core Linux – (9, 15 or 72 MB) distribution; Software repository: TCZ packages[26]
- Trisquel Mini – lightweight version (603 MB) of Trisquel with LXDE[27]
- TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library - lightweight[28] headless server software appliance library. Based on a minified Debian base. v14.1 Core ISO is 212MB[29] and uses ~173MB RAM (idle in Live mode).
- VectorLinux Light - ?
- wattOS - ?
- Xubuntu – lightweight (980 MB) in comparison to Ubuntu. It uses the XFCE desktop.
- Zenwalk – a lightweight linux distribution (845 MB) based on Slackware[citation needed]
Comparison[edit]
| Distribution | Founder | Maintainer | Initial release year | Latest release year | Approximate file size | X window manager | Fork | Target audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Linux | Absolute Linux Team | Absolute Linux Team | 2007 | 2015 | 698 MB[30] | iceWM | - | desktop |
| antiX | Anticapitalista | Anticapitalista | 2007 | 2016 | 555 MB (Base), 654 MB (Full) | Fluxbox | MEPIS < Debian | old computers, portability (with persistence[31]) |
| ArchBang | Willensky Aristide | Stan McLaren | 2010 | 2016 | 564 MB | OpenBox | Arch Linux | desktop, advanced |
| Arch Linux | - | - | 2002 | 2016 | 709 MB | - | Linux | Desktop, Advanced |
| Basic Linux | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | desktop |
| Bodhi Linux | Bodhi Linux Team | Bodhi Linux Team | 2011 | 2016 | 575 MB (Standard), 1024 MB (AppPack) | Enlightenment | Ubuntu < Debian | Desktop |
| BunsenLabs Linux | Core Maintainers | Core Maintainers | 2015 | 2016 | 825 MB | OpenBox | CrunchBang < Debian | Desktop |
| CrunchBangPlusPlus[32] | Ben Young | Ben Young | 2015 | 2015 | 686 MB | OpenBox | CrunchBang < Debian | Desktop |
| Damn Small Linux | John Andrews, et al. | 2005 | 2008 | 50 MB | Fluxbox, JWM | - | old PC hardware, Lightweight | |
| DeLi(cate) Linux | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | desktop |
| Debris Linux | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | desktop |
| Core Linux | Robert Shingledecker | Team Tiny Core | ? | ? | 11 MB | FLTK/FLWM | Core Linux | portable, advanced |
| CRUX | Per Lidén | Core maintainers | 2002 | 2015 | 1773 MB | OpenBox | - | BSD/experienced users, Lightweight |
| DebianDog[33][34] | Toni | DebianDog Team | 2013[35] | 2015 | 160 MB[36] | JWM-iceWM, OpenBox-XFCE | Debian | Live |
| Elive | Thanatermesis | Thanatermesis | 2005 | 2010 | 700 MB | Enlightenment | Debian | Desktop |
| Feather Linux | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | desktop |
| Knoppix | 2012 (CD) | 701 MB | Live | |||||
| LinuxBBQ | Julius Hader | BBQ team | 2013 | 2016 | 285 MB | several (>75) | Debian, Slackware | bloat-free, advanced |
| Lightweight Portable Security | United States Department of Defense | United States Department of Defense | 2011 | 2016 | 390 MB | iceWM | ArchLinux | secure live operating system |
| Linux Lite | Jerry Bezencon | Jerry Bezencon | 2013 | 2016 | 955 MB | XFCE | Ubuntu | Windows users |
| Lubuntu | Lubuntu team | Lubuntu team | 2009 | 2016 | 744 MB | LXDE, Openbox | Ubuntu | lightweight desktop |
| LXLE | Ronnie | LXLE team | 2012 | 2015 | 1300 MB | LXDE | Ubuntu LTS | older computers, intermediate users |
| MX Linux[37] | anticapitalista | MEPIS Community | - | 2016 | 1024 MB | Xfce 4 | antiX < MEPIS < Debian | Midweight Desktop |
| Nanolinux | Georg Potthast | Georg Potthast | - | 2015 | 19 MB | SLWM on Nano-X | MicroCore Linux with BusyBox | Lightweight, Runs on RAM, advanced |
| Parabola GNU/Linux-libre | Parabola Hackers | Parabola Hackers | 2009 | 2016 | 608.2 MB | needs to be installed | Arch Linux | desktop, advanced |
| PCLinuxOS | Bill Reynolds | Bill Reynolds | 2003 | 2015 | 833 MB (LXDE)[38] | KDE, LXDE, MATE | Mandrake | - |
| Peppermint Linux OS | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | - | desktop |
| Porteus | Fanthom | Porteus | 2010 | 2014 | 260 MB (LxQt) | (multiple) | Slackware | lightweight, portable (with persistence[31]) |
| Puppy Linux | Barry Kauler | Puppy Foundation | 2003 | 2015 | 234 MB (Slacko)[39] | JWM-2.3.2 | - | portable, lightweight |
| Salix OS | Tomas Matejicek | Tomas Matejicek | 2002 | 2013 | 613 MB (Fluxbox) / 852 MB (MATE live)[40] | MATE, KDE, Xfce, Fluxbox, Openbox | Slackware | desktop |
| Slax | Tomas Matejicek | Tomas Matejicek | 2002 | 2013 | 226 MB[41] | KDE | Slackware | portable |
| SliTaz GNU/Linux | Christophe Lincoln | dev team | 2008 | 2012 | 35 MB | Openbox | - | portable, no persistence by default[42] |
| Tiny Core Linux | Robert Shingledecker | Team Tiny Core | 2009 | 2016 | 16 MB | FLTK/FLWM | Tiny Core Linux | portable, advanced |
| Trisquel Mini | Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam) | Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (quidam) | 2005 | 2014 | 609 MB | LXDE | Ubuntu LTS | Free software: desktop |
| TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library | Alon Swartz, Liraz Siri | TurnKey Linux Team | 2008 | 2016 | 212 MB (Core) | None (headless server) - Includes Webmin admin UI | Debian | Server - novice to expert users |
| VectorLinux Light | - | - | - | 2016 | 618 MB | IceWM | - | Desktop |
| wattOS | ? | ? | 2010 | 2016 | 627MB(i3), 687MB(LXDE) | i3, LXDE | Ubuntu | desktop |
| Xubuntu | Xubuntu team | Xubuntu team | 2008 | 2016 | 960 MB | Xfce | Ubuntu | lightweight desktop |
| Zenwalk | Jean-Philippe Guillemin | dev team | 2004 | 2015 | 974 MB | Xfce | Slackware | desktop |
| ZorinOS[43] | - | - | 2004 | 2015 | 1024 MB (lite)[44] | - | Ubuntu | full-featured desktop |
| Distribution | Founder | Maintainer | Initial release year | Latest release year | Approx file size | X window manager | Fork | Target audience |
See also[edit]
- Comparison of Linux distributions
- Comparison of lightweight web browsers
- List of Linux distributions that run from RAM
- List of live CDs
- Open-source computer hardware
References[edit]
- ^ Larabel, Michael. "Phoronix: Power & Memory Usage Of GNOME, KDE, LXDE & Xfce". Phoronix. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "Features - Porteus - Portable Linux".
- ^ a b Lubuntu Developers (December 2010). "Lubuntu". Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ Behling, Mario (October 2010). "lubuntu 10.10 released". Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ Canonical Ltd (October 2010). "Recommended Minimum System Requirements". Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ "Alpine Linux Wiki". Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- ^ "Main Page – antiX". Antix.mepis.org. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
- ^ Rob Zwetsloot. "ArchBang Linux 2012.12 Review – Lightweight Arch". LinuxUser. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
- ^ Justin Pot. "ArchBang Is Lightweight & Always Up To Date". MakeUseOf. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
- ^ Keesan, Sindhi (October 2009). "BL on CF IDE drive". Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ BasicLinux (n.d.). "BasicLinux". Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ Nitesh. "Bodhi Linux is a Lightweight Linux Distribution". Ubuntu Vibes. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
- ^ "FOSS Hits & Misses on a Monday Morning". Linux Today. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
- ^ Justin Pot. "CrunchBang: A Lightweight OS Perfect For Old And New Computers Alike". MakeUseOf. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
- ^ Jim Lynch. "CrunchBang 11 Waldorf". Desktop Linux Reviews. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
- ^ a b Moparx (April 2008). "SliTaz: A light-weight GNU/Linux distribution". Linux Infusion. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ Damn Small Linux (n.d.). "What is DSL?". Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ "Feather Linux - Docs". Featherlinux.berlios.de. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
- ^ "Linux.com :: Feather Linux: Light is right". Archive09.linux.com. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
- ^ Julius Hader. "BBQ Philosophy". Retrieved 2015-01-12.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Linux_Litewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Softpedia". Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ^ "Peppermint". peppermintos.com. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ Porteus (14 November 2010). "Why choose Porteus ? - IT IS PORTABLE". Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ Hell-Noire, Paul (July 2010). "Puppy Linux 5.0 Review - Lightweight, Fun, Fast!". Raymond. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ Lynch, Jim (July 2009). "Tiny Core Linux 2.1". Desktop Linux Reviews. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ^ "Trisquel 5.0 Release announcement". The Trisquel Project. September 17, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- ^ "TurnKey Linux 13 Has Been Released!". Unixmen. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ "TurnKey Core - Debian GNU/Linux with Batteries Included". TurnKey Linux. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ "absolute linux home page".
- ^ a b "What is Persistent Linux".
- ^ "#!++ - Crunchbangplusplus".
- ^ "PuppyLinux: DebianDog". puppylinux.org. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
- ^ DebianDog
- ^ "Puppy Linux Discussion Forum :: View topic - DebianDog - Squeeze". murga-linux.com. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
- ^ "DebianDog Jessie". debiandog.github.io. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
- ^ "MX Linux".
- ^ "Index of /communityiso/LXDE".
- ^ "Index of /puppylinux/puppy-slacko-6.3.0/64/".
- ^ "Salix Downloads".
- ^ Tomas M. "Download - Slax Linux".
- ^ persistence can be added rather easily though
- ^ "Zorin OS - Home".
- ^ "Zorin OS - Download".
