Performance slows only when browsing the internet in a web browser, but the blame lies with the complexity of most modern websites more than. So, those are the five best possible smallest linux distros 2019 which youll use for your previous laptop. Small footprint linux distros if you have an older pc, or a small single board computerbased system, you probably want to run a version of linux thats light on resources and easy to download. As an example, most distributions of linux release iso images of the installation cds. Its a subproject of the trisquel distribution and is aimed at lowpowered pcs. Look for the latest version of knoppix, and pay careful attention to the file names. Smallest distro might be tinycore linux, just a few mbs, but the browser you want is big. Smallest linux for virtual internet browser use alone. Maybe you just need a secondary browser so that you can keep your work and personal browsing histories separate. Based on ubuntu linux, the stability of cub linux is unquestionable. These linux distros require less space and ram to run on a pc.
Mageia includes some best desktop environment such as gnome, kde, lxde, and xfce. May 24, 2019 with that being said, heres my list of the best portable linux distributions. Top 5 best looking linux distro we recommend you to use. So effectively all i want out of the linux distro is an internet browser to run inside a virtual machine on windows. It is a market leader in virtualization and also offers strong community support to users.
The best part is, it wont ask any of your personal information and will not require you to create an account on the website. Iso images are mainly used as source files from which to create cds. A long time ubuntu fan, jack wallen opts to depart from the safe and familiar in search of something new. What is the smallest installed size ubuntu based distribution. Jan 31, 2019 most sensible five smallest linux distros that want virtually no areaas everyone knows, there are lots of linux distro to be had on the net. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. The website offers 807 versions of linux distros across 244 operating systems and hence, it is more likely that the distro youre planning to check out will have its version on distrotest. If you already know another lightweight linux distro, then tell us within the remark field underneath. Apr 04, 2018 for vmware vsphere lab testing you need testing vm. Currently the project has 815 distros across 247 operating systems available to test, from 4mlinux to zorin os. In this gallery, we look at very small footprint linux distros.
The core project, as suggested by our name, is not a turnkey desktop distribution. Its one of the smallest linux distros on this list for 2019. We hope this list of best lightweight browsers for ubuntu and linux, in. Apr 03, 2020 next on our list of best lightweight linux distributions is lubuntu. Youre guaranteed to see an improvement in performance. You can get faster on a rollyourown, but only if you make every correct decision during the lengthy and complicated setup. Running linux distro on the old desktop or laptops is really the best option as compared to windows because of lightweight and fast speed. Ubuntu is an opensource software platform that runs everywhere from the pc to the server and the cloud. Instead we deliver just the core linux from which it is quite easy to add what you want.
Linux lite is a showcase for just how easy it can be to use linux. It comes with the basic applications like file browser efm, browser midori and a terminal emulator. The 8 smallest linux distros that are lightweight and need almost. With, however, we can test a distro through a browser. Slitaz is possibly the smallest distribution with a desktop gui on the planet. But tiny linux distributions are powerful innovations. We hope this list of best lightweight browsers for ubuntu and linux, in general was helpful. Use a lightweight linux distro and revive that decadesold system. It is the default with linux distributions such as knoppix, lubuntu, lxle linux, peppermint linux os. Bodhi linux has a list of lightweight linux software applications in online database that can be installed one click using apturl. Has anyone made a distro that is as minimal as possible but contains openlibre office and a good web browser.
Absolute linux is a lightweight distro designed for desktop use, and as such comes preinstalled with the firefox browser and libreoffice suite. It is the most dependable linux server distro at all. Its name stands for simple, light, incredible, temporary autonomous zone and with a total core livecd size of 35 50mb. Top 5 smallest linux distros that need almost no space. Ready to use all tools for common daily computing usage already included. The core runs entirely in memory and boots very quickly. For example an extremely small distro may not include any drivers to optimise performance of graphics cards, drive nics natively etc.
This is particularly ideal for computers with very low hardware specifications. Dec 26, 2018 its one of the smallest linux distros on this list for 2019. Linux distros and the software that runs on them are far more optimized and compatible with old er hardware. Cloud focused linux distros for people who breathe online. Lubuntu lite ubuntu the fourth linux distribution in our list is lubuntu. Jan 01, 2020 quick overview of the distros included in our list.
Once you download the image, you can use cd burning. I was recently reading your post during my research into a very small linux distro that would have a capability of hosting vm tools. Ease of use grandpafriendly certified relatively small size 300 mb or less. Ive gathered top three lightweight linux distros which can be used as testing vms in a vmware lab environment. It runs directly from your usb flash drive without installing, so. Mx linux is an opensource antix and mepisbased linux distro designed to work efficiently on both old and modern pcs.
From familiar software like firefox and thunderbird, to simply named menu items, to one click updates and software installs that you will find linux lite an enjoyable computing experience. There are plenty of linux distributions available on the internet that can be used on the old computer. A lightweight browser running on a lightweight linux distro is your best bet for getting the most out of it. Top 5 best lightweight linux distros for old pc and laptop. Yes peppermint is a cloudfocused linux distribution that doesnt need highend hardware. Which distro for fastest webbrowsing and nothing else. The latest version of puppy linux is based on ubuntu, so users will get access to ubuntu software repository to install necessary applications. Install one of these small and lightweight linux distros to make your pc usable again. It was first released in 2010, and now it is a fork of mandriva.
Lubuntu consists of lxde, which is the desktop environment. This website lets you test linux distros from your browser. Lxde lightweight x11 desktop environment has been designed with very low resource usage. From the tiny core downloads page 2, click tinycore on the left to grab the 16mb. Smaller does not mean faster, which is what the op wants. Index applications packages download notes off site milestones faq wiki forums blogs miniitx store income guide donate browse the mydsl repository. The distro uses lxde as the default desktop environment to keep it light. Just like the most of the entries on this list of the best lightweight linux. Nov 02, 2018 so was wanting to get the lightest version of linux possible just to use the internet browser inside a virtual machine in windows 10 for security on my pc.
Aug 17, 2015 trisquel mini is another lightweight distribution that is based on ubuntu linux. These images are usually available from anonymous ftp servers. Jun 12, 2019 absolute linux is a lightweight distro designed for desktop use, and as such comes preinstalled with the firefox browser and libreoffice suite. A lightweight linux distribution is a linux distribution that has lower memory andor. You just choose the distro, click start, wait a minute, then presto, a vm opens immediately. It runs directly from your usb flash drive without installing, so you can carry it everywhere you go in your pocket. Try justbrowsing, its safe, secure and no install necessary. Porteus linux is a distro based on slackware linux. Any linux distro is better than windowsos x when it comes to old hardware. Click on the distro s name to find more info, screenshots, and download links. Plus, it is almost automatically updated against bugs and old versions. Dec 12, 2019 porteus linux is a distro based on slackware linux. Note that when you download knoppix, the list of files can be somewhat confusing. The size of puppy linux is very less, somewhere around 300mb.
Trisquel mini also offers a few useful tools like abiword, mplayer, midori browser, etc. Click on the distros name to find more info, screenshots, and download links. Slax is a modern, portable, small and fast linux operating system with modular approach and outstanding design. Justbrowsing is a bootable linux live cd that does not make any changes to the existing operating system on the computer. Quick overview of the distros included in our list. It is easy to configure and has been developed to be simple enough for linux beginners to easily get up and running with it. Here is the list of top 10 linux distributions to free download latest version of linux operating system with links to linux documentation and home pages. Tiny core linux is the extremely lightweight operating system based on a recent linux kernel, busybox, tiny x, fltk, and flwm.
If you like damn small linux, please consider donating. The toprated distros on our list are bodhi linux, puppy linux, linux lite, ubuntu. Minimal linux live offers a core environment with just the linux kernel, gnu c library and busybox userland utilities. It is based on a recent linux kernel, busybox, tiny x, fltk, and flwm. If youre using windows or os x and it feels slow, switch to a linux distro. Lubuntu is the ubuntubased linux distro which is small in size, faster and stable than any other linux distribution. I get faster boots and smoother operation from fully bangedout distros in general.
Trisquel mini is another lightweight distribution that is based on ubuntu linux. In fact, the linux distro shares lots of similarities with ubuntu and its one of the best lightweight linux distribution that you will love for sure. Download silverblue and write it to a thumb drive with dd or etcher or burn it to a cd or dvd, then reboot. It comes with a decent set of applications including abiword, mplayer, and midori web browser. It is a midweight os designed to combine an elegant and efficient desktop with simple configuration, high stability, solid performance and mediumsized footprint. There are dozens of lightweight desktop environments and window managers. Its like securityeasy to do wrong, and you will do it wrong. I suggest cub linux to anybody who spends most their times on a browser and do some home tasks now and then.
This way, you dont have to worry about any privacyrelated risk. This version is still rather old given the rapid pace of linux distro development its from 2012, but it only weighs in at 50mb and provides plenty of functionality to bring old pcs back to life. Bodhi linux is one the best lightweight linux distro that is based on ubuntu. Tiny core linux is a 12 mb graphical linux desktop. Jan 04, 2020 tiny core linux is the extremely lightweight operating system based on a recent linux kernel, busybox, tiny x, fltk, and flwm. There is a website that provides a virtual machine for you. For example linux distros those are running desktop environments with high graphics such as fedora, ubuntu opensuse, centos and more. Minimal linux distro to only run chrome or firefox. As the name suggests, a member of the ubuntu family but it utilizes either lxdelxqt desktop environment. Not only does the small size make it extremely fast, but it also makes it suitable as a portable linux distro that is bootable and can run from a usb.
How many times have installed a linux distro only to hop back to something else within a few hours, or less. You get mozilla firefox web browser, pdf reader, cd burner, email client. Best lightweight linux server distros without gui h2s media. That search led him to a very chrome oslike linux distribution called chromixium. Core, tinycore, and our installation image, coreplus. Testing linux distros in your browser bdm tech guides. Slitaz is a secure and highperformance gnulinux operating system designed to be fast, simple to use, and completely customizable. Now finally, onto the main part, the best lightweight linux distros for old computerslaptops. Nov 07, 2016 based on ubuntu linux, the stability of cub linux is unquestionable. Puppy linux is a unique family of linux distributions meant for the homeuser computers. Bundled webapps include a calculator, text editor, timer and more that are always one click away. I recently built a very small vm 64mb hdd, 48mb ram based on tinycore with openvmtools, nginx web server and openssh server inside.
Originally created with the webcentric approach of netbooks in mind, peppermint includes the ice application for integrating any website or web app as a standalone desktop app. Download ubuntu desktop, ubuntu server, ubuntu for raspberry pi and iot devices, ubuntu core and all the ubuntu flavours. The desktop itself is a treat to the eyes with all its smooth animations and beautiful ui. For example linux distros those are running desktop environments with high graphics such as fedora, ubuntu opensuse. The minimal iso image of centos server is of around 900mb while full distro with gui comes in the size of 4 gb. The notable feature of this lite linux distro is its size the 12 mb graphical linux desktop runs entirely in memory so after booting, you can remove the live cdusb and still use the distro. Linux distributions frequently consumes lesser ram, cpu, and garage in comparison to home windows or another working device. Top 5 best lightweight linux distros to boost up your old computer. A testing vm is a vm which is not a filer or other type of vm that provides core network services for your lab environment dc, dns, dhcp firewall. The user has complete control over which applications andor additional hardware to have supported, be it for a desktop, a nettop, an appliance or server. It provides outofthebox solution and include browser,media supports java and lots of other components. Top 10 smallest linux distros that need almost no space.
It is based on ubuntu and uses lxde desktop environment to give you a smoother experience. You can also install arch linux or debian and use a lightweight. As with tiny core linux, you can burn the iso image to a cdr or boot it up in a pc emulator. Although every linux distro is not lightweight because of high graphical elements. It is less userfriendly than mate and xfce but comes with. So was wanting to get the lightest version of linux possible just to use the internet browser inside a virtual machine in windows 10 for security on my pc.
It turns out you can test a linux distro without having to put it on a usb drive and booting to it. Apr 22, 2017 there are many lightweight distros to choose from. Backed by redhat the biggest linux kernel contributor, fedora is one of the fastest and most secure linux distro to use in 2020. Mx linux is a cooperative venture between the antix and former mepis communities, using the best tools and talents from each distro. So, in this article, we are going to share a list of the smallest linux distros that you can use on an old pc. Are you looking for the smallest linux distro to install on your computer. Another one of the most popular linux distros amid both desktop and server users is ubuntu, minimal iso without gui for lightweight installation. Well, a browser is all you need and a browser is exactly what youll get. If you look for a secure and stable linux server, mageia will be best for you.
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