[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightweight_Linux_distribution]
1. Uses relatively few resources. One of the biggest factors that determines the speed of the distribution is the window manager it uses.
2. For example, Lubuntu {} (based on LXDE), which requires a minimum of 128 MB of RAM and a Pentium II processor, is a lightweight variant of Ubuntu (which uses Unity as a window manager), which requires a 1 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM.
3.
The window manager can be changed in most Linux distributions. Also, a same Linux distribution may have various versions, using different window managers with each version. Examples are Porteus (which comes in LXDE, Xfce and Mate versions), and Zenwalk (which comes in Xfce and Openbox versions)
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Distributions described as lightweight
————————————————————————————————–Alpine Linux – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_Linux
A security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution (307 MB) based on musl and BusyBox. Mini download is 66 MB; base system (excluding kernel) is under 5 MB. Media download is 280 MB for version 3.0.1.
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: SynapticBasicLinux – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BasicLinux
A very lightweight distribution (2.8 MB apparently) capable of running on an Intel 386 and 3 MB of RAM
Bodhi Linux – A lightweight and minimalistic distribution (585 MB), based on Ubuntu 12.04[
CrunchBang Linux – A relatively large (771 MB) Debian based distribution designed primarily for speed and ease of use.Damn Small Linux – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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”
===========antiX -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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: SynapticBodhi Linux -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_Linux
A lightweight and minimalistic distribution (585 MB), based on Ubuntu 12.04
CrunchBang Linux – A relatively large (771 MB) Debian based distribution designed primarily for speed and ease of use.—————-
Feather Linux -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_Linux
Lightweight Linux Distribution (under 128 MB) derived from Knoppix. Now dormant.LinuxBBQ – very lightweight (291.5 MB) and resource-friendly distribution based on Debian Sid with TUI productivity applications.
LXLE – a lightweight distro (1.29 GB) based on Ubuntu, using the LXDE user interface using a minumum of 512 MB (1 GB recommended) of RAM
Lubuntu – Lightweight (705 MB) in comparison to Ubuntu, it uses the LXDE desktop. Media download is 683 MB.
MiMinimal Linux Live – Live Linux distribution (7.0 MB) with Kernel and BusyBox.
Nanolinux -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanolinux
14 MB distribution based on Tiny Core Linux.Peppermint Linux OS – Download: 587 MB, based on Lubuntu
Porteus – It weighs in at under 300 MB, making it a lightweight contender Comes with the LXDE and KDE desktops
Puppy Linux – Lightweight relative to most other Linux distributions Download: 133−162 MB. Package Manager: Puppy Package Manager (PPM)
Semplice Linux – lightweight (675 MB), fast and simple, based on Debian Sid
SliTaz – 35−42 MB distribution; Package Manager is Tazpkg with its repository of packages
Tiny Core Linux – (9, 15 or 72 MB) distribution; Software repository: TCZ packages
Trisquel Mini – Lightweight version (603 MB) of Trisquel with LXDE
wattOS – a Debian-based lightweight Linux distro (654 MB),
Xubuntu – Lightweight (980 MB) in comparison to Ubuntu. It uses the XFCE desktop.
Zenwalk – a lightweight linux distribution (845 MB) based on Slackware.
Zenix – a Debian-based lightweight Linux distro, discontinued
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