Damn Small Linux is very lightweight and comes with browser and PDF viewer preloaded. It doesn’t have a GUI software installer though, so you will have to use the terminal if you need to install stuff.
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innermachine@lemmy.world 1 day agoLet me save you the trip. I have an old trash spec hp all in one that’s had the bag beat out of it, what is the best lightweight Linux distro to make this a usable web browsing and PDF file viewer? (To be used in my garage to look at FSM, wiring diagrams, play music, Google crap etc nothing demanding). I’ve tried mint and it works ok but thinking lighter weight ?
Swakkel@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
sykaster@feddit.nl 1 day ago
I installed MX Linux on an old tablet/ laptop with 2GB RAM AND 30GB storage. Works very well except for the webcam, but that’s because the hardware is made so that only windows can use it correctly.
kwedd@feddit.nl 1 day ago
You could try Linux Mint XFCE edition. Comes with a more lightweight desktop environment.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 hours ago
At that point you might as well just run Debian 12 with XFCE.
kwedd@feddit.nl 16 hours ago
Other Debian-based distros with XFCE are going to be very similar, yes.
Xubuntu is going to install Snaps if you install some software through apt, though, which imo is kind of gross. That’s the reason I switched to Mint. But if you like Snaps, it’s arguably a better choice.
Debian might be slightly harder to set up. However, from what I hear, it’s easy enough for most people now.
If you’re already familiar with regular Mint, XFCE Edition is going to have the same key bindings, update manager and driver manager, so it should be slightly easier to use.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 hours ago
Good points. And fuck snaps. If I have to use some sort of “all-in-one”, it’s flatpak or nothing.
Debian might be slightly harder to set up. However, from what I hear, it’s easy enough for most people now.
It’s pretty easy to install these days. I use Debian exclusively on all of my VMs.
raynethackery@lemmy.world 1 day ago
FSM
Finite-state machine?
Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Forgetting Sarah Marshall?
kjetil@lemmy.world 1 day ago
FSM in the context of a garage probably means Factory Service Manual, i.e. the service manual for a car or motorbike
DontAskAboutUpdog@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Its female siamese midgets, how can you not know this?
tissn@lemmy.world 1 day ago
fatal sex maneuver
yessikg@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
Q4OS is another good potion
oo1@lemmings.world 1 day ago
I see you have only two different answers so far. which is just not playing the game. i’ll give you another two; there are at least 15 “best lightweight linux distro”. For your use, I’d pick any one at random, try it out on a bootable usb.
Personslly, I’d try stock debian and choose LXQT for a lightweight desktop.
puppylinux also deserves a mention, I always have a bootble PL usb lying around somewhere. Its reliable , fast for a usb, very good potato-compatibility, has loads of useful programmes and utilitiea already in there. I’ve never actually installed it permanently though. Scared of making a commitment to slackware that I don’t understand.
I’d avoid Damn Small and Tiny Core though - unless you really need them. Cool as they are they are well out of mainstream.
innermachine@lemmy.world 22 hours ago
Hmmm I have yet to try puppy Linux, potatoe compatible is exactly what I am in the market for. Think I’ll give it a try ty!