What is the lightest distro for using Debian/Ubuntu packages

[iripu]

Which distro uses lowest system resource (when installed on hard_disk/usb) where I can install software from Debian OR Ubuntu repository?

I found Quelitu which is based on Lubuntu, but uses less memory as given on their site. There are lighter distros but most of them are based on Slackware. I don't have much experience so want some expert opinion. Thank you in advance.

-Ripu

 

[chamaecyparis]

Bachata linux is perhaps the lightest I have found, but takes a little work to set up

The most practical light true-Debian distro I have encountered, so far, is antiX-M11 -- see here, then here (not a fair trial, IMHO), then here, to alleviate any concerns ! :lol:

I use antiX on laptop, Salix 13.37 ( a Slackware-based distro) on desktop exclusively, now. Before that, it was peppermint for a long while.

Without much experience, you are wise to steer away from slack-based distros, for now. Suggest learning how to edit /etc/apt/sources.list file and becoming moe than just familiar with apt-get and aptitude in the command line. Continue learning how to edit other config files and know where they are located within the linux file system; then you will grow into being able to use a Slackware-based distro like Salix (which is quite easy compared to the Slackware of old).

Best wishes for your journey through Linuxland!

 

[iripu]

Thank you chamaecypari for the suggestion.

 

[amdfangirl]

I would use Linux Mint LXDE.

Mainly because I regard this as the easiest to use Linux stepping stone OS.

 

[Pyroflea]

Debian itself uses very little RAM when configured to do so. Install a lightweight Desktop Environment (LXDE ) and you're good to go. That will run on damn near anything.

 

[bmouring]

The beauty of Linux: you can tailor it to your needs (some more easily than others).

I agree with Pyroflea, stock Debian, when installed without Gnome and instead replaced with a lighter DE/WM (like LXDE, I personally prefer Fluxbox, but to each his/her own) and you're looking at a system that, at idle after a boot, will be using 50-200 megs (Linux tends to cache as much as possible and keep stuff resident in memory until it needs to reclaim the space)

 

[JohnSabc]

It depends on how much memory you computer has. If it has 500 MB RAM or more, I would definitely go for a Ubuntu derivative (Quelitu, Lubuntu, etc.) as they are more user-friendly and there is more software and a lot more information on the net for them.

Quelitu offers a lot more than the other distros at the speed comparison page and uses less RAM (about 75 MB once installed):
http://wavesofthefuture.net/computers/speed-comparison-fastest-lightweight-linux-distributions-os.shtml

I run Quelitu 12.04 (with the HUD, maintenance center, advanced config center, ultralight utilities Lxde & Enlightenment interfaces...) and I am very happy with it.

If you have 250 MB of RAM, I would still go with either Quelitu or a Ubuntu derivative but you will need to install via the Alternate Image. See:
http://wavesofthefuture.net/computers/download-telecharger-descargas-free-gratuit-gratis-quelitu.shtml

If you have less than 250 MB, I would suggest one of the distros recommended in other comments.

 

[amdfangirl]

This topic has been closed by Amdfangirl