So here comes the million-dollar question, why does anyone use Lightweight Linux distros? While all the modern Linux distros come with stunning and amazing desktop environments that ensure full utilization of GPU and other resources. There might be some best answers to this obvious question.
- If the computer has become old enough and you want to bring a new life to it
- The machine may be modern and latest, but it runs on low power like Raspberry Pi.
- Install it on a modern computer to save resources for other valuable and demanding tasks.
So, if your demand falls in the above-mentioned category, then you must go for the best lightweight Linux distro. But which one do you choose? While there are lots of options out there.
Best Lightweight Linux Distros
To give a timely and effective answer to the above question, I am here to share with you a list of the Best Lightweight Linux distros. So that you can choose the best-fitted one for your machine, let’s begin the countdown.
1. Tiny Core
Tiny Core is the most lightweight Linux distro, only 15 MB, which was forked from a Damn Small project, but now it’s completely developed independently. This Linux distro comes with a minimal interface and very little software installed.
Main Features
- Perfect for any old or ancient computer.
- Takes very less time to boot than any other OS out there.
- By default, it comes with FLTK/FKWM and BusyBox desktop.
- A total of three editions are available: Core, Tiny Core, and CorePlus.
- It comes with a set of software installed, but you can also install other applications later.
2. Linux Lite
Linux Lite is one of the most popular and easy-to-use lightweight Linux distros out there. It’s based on Ubuntu LTS, which ensures access to thousands of Ubuntu software through its ever-growing app repository. It is a perfect lightweight Linux distro for any old laptop, as it requires little power and resources to run.
Main Features
- It can run smoothly on all sorts of older hardware.
- Based on Ubuntu LTS.
- It uses an XFCE desktop environment, which is simple and easy to use.
- This distro is good and best fitted for any newbie Linux user.
- Supported by Ubuntu software repository.
Minimum System Requirement
- 700MHz processor
- 512MB RAM
- VGA screen 1024×768 resolution
- DVD drive or USB port for the ISO image
- At least 5 GB of free disk space
3. Trisquel Mini
Trisquel Mini is a smaller and lighter version of the main distro Trisquel, which is based on Ubuntu LTS. This lightweight Linux distro is especially suitable for old machines and netbooks with lower power requirements.
Main Features
- It uses the minimal LXDE desktop environment and X Window system.
- Perfect alternatives to traditional GNOME or KDE/Qt applications.
- Synaptic Package Manager can be used to install the necessary software.
- You can use Live CD for testing purposes.
- It offers a familiar Ubuntu-based graphical installer during permanent installation.
4. Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is one of the best lightweight Linux distros available. This distro takes very little resources to run on an old machine and is aimed at creating slim, sleek, and fast distros. Many unconventional but effective and useful apps and tools come pre-bundled, like Homeback for finance management, AbiWord, MyPlayer, and graphical tools to manage Samba shares and set up a firewall, etc.
Main Features
- It can boot directly from RAM and takes very few resources.
- DVDs or flash drives can be used as storage devices if you run them from those devices.
- A set of best alternatives and less resource-hog software comes pre-packed.
- The latest version of Puppy Linux is based on Ubuntu, so users will get access to the Ubuntu software repository to install necessary applications.
Minimum System Requirement
- 500MHZ processor
- 128MB RAM
- 512MB free hard drive space to create an optional save file
- No hard drive is required to boot a Live Disc.
- CD-ROM any speed
3. Lubuntu
This lightweight Linux distro is for those who do not want to compromise with their favorite software but want to use a less resource-hogging distro for their old machine. Lubuntu is basically designed for old netbooks and computers, and it has an LXDE desktop environment that is focused on being fast and energy efficient.
Main Features
- It is the perfect lightweight Linux distro for netbooks and older machines.
- Comes with a set of essential software and tools like Office, the internet, multimedia, graphics apps, and some useful tools and utilities.
- It offers less resource-intensive software and the best alternative whenever possible.
- It supports the Ubuntu software repository, which gives access to thousands of additional packages that can be installed through graphical software management tools.
- It is merged with Razor-qt and is being developed as LXQt.
Minimum System Requirement
- Pentium II or Celeron CPU with PAE support
- 128MB of RAM
- 2GB of hard-drive
Honorable Mention
There are lots of other light Linux distros available in the market; a few of them are given below as honorable mention:
- Absolute Linux
- Manjaro Linux XFCE Edition
- wattOS
- antiX
- Porteus
- BunsenLabs Linux
- Q4OS
- SliTaz
This is a very small list of the best lightweight Linux distros, but there are hundreds of tiny distros out there, which you can find on DistroWatch. I have chosen the above one based on stability, less resource consumption, ease of use, simple interface, and solid security.
All the above lightweight Linux distros are very easy to install, have a simple interface, and run smoothly on older computers and netbooks.
What’s Your Favorite one?
Did you like this list of the Best Lightweight Linux Distros? If you find any other best lightweight Linux distro, feel free to share it with us in the comment section so that it can be included in the next update. Thanks for spending your valuable time here.
