Minimal Linux distros: Difference between revisions

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There are a number of Linux distros which attempt to strip Linux down to a minimal set of elements that can run on computers with reduced capabilities. Some of them are targetted to old computers. Some are targetted to so-called embedded systems which are built into machinery, vehicles, home appliances, PDAs and mobile phones.
There are a number of Linux distros which attempt to strip Linux down to a minimal set of elements that can run on computers with reduced capabilities. Some of them are targetted to old computers. Some are targetted to so-called embedded systems which are built into machinery, vehicles, home appliances, PDAs and mobile phones.


*[http://www.openembedded.org OpenEmbedded] Not a distribution, but a tool to build lightweight distributions for various architectures, which includes the [[Zaurus]]
*[[DeliLinux]] "Desktop Light" Linux. It is a Linux Distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so on
*[[DeliLinux]] "Desktop Light" Linux. It is a Linux Distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so on
*[[PuppyLinux]] targetted to older computers and education. They have put up [http://www.puppyos.com/olpc/ a page describing how they adapted Puppy to an NTAVO low memory system]. See the [[PuppyLinux]] page for pointers to an active forum on OLPC.
*[[PuppyLinux]] targetted to older computers and education. They have put up [http://www.puppyos.com/olpc/ a page describing how they adapted Puppy to an NTAVO low memory system]. See the [[PuppyLinux]] page for pointers to an active forum on OLPC.

Revision as of 10:54, 26 July 2006

There are a number of Linux distros which attempt to strip Linux down to a minimal set of elements that can run on computers with reduced capabilities. Some of them are targetted to old computers. Some are targetted to so-called embedded systems which are built into machinery, vehicles, home appliances, PDAs and mobile phones.

  • OpenEmbedded Not a distribution, but a tool to build lightweight distributions for various architectures, which includes the Zaurus
  • DeliLinux "Desktop Light" Linux. It is a Linux Distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so on
  • PuppyLinux targetted to older computers and education. They have put up a page describing how they adapted Puppy to an NTAVO low memory system. See the PuppyLinux page for pointers to an active forum on OLPC.
  • BasicLinux targetted to very old computers including 486es
  • FeatherLinux that takes under 128MB of disk space. Minimal requirement for X is 24MB.
  • ucLinux targetted to embedded systems with low memory and no hard drive (like OLPC)
  • Zaurus this is a Linux-based PDA that uses busybox. It is similar to the OLPC except that it has a PDA-size 640x480 screen.
  • Damn Small Linux - less than 50 MB!
  • ReactOS - An Opensource Windows Clone.Fully working
  • MenuetOS - An Opensource Assembly Language OS.Fully working at great speed, But there is lack of Applications.Have small footprint.since the size is small it can include in a 1.44floppy along with all applications.
  • STX Linux STX Linux is a desktop Linux distribution especially targeted to older hardware. It also works quite well on new PC's.
  • Ubuntu Lite is an unofficial derivation of the Ubuntu Linux distribution. It is intened to be used on much weaker hardware than the offical weak hardware distribution Xubuntu and should run on a Pentium 200Mhz with 64MB RAM. A minimum of 50MB hard disk place is required to install and run it.


Please add other minimal Linux distros to this list. In the end, it is unlikely for OLPC to adopt any one of them but it is quite likely that OLPC will borrow good ideas from some of them, such as the busybox from ucLinux.