this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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[–] [email protected] 7 points 23 hours ago (6 children)

Let 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 ?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

You could try Linux Mint XFCE edition. Comes with a more lightweight desktop environment.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 43 minutes ago* (last edited 38 minutes ago)

At that point you might as well just run Debian Testing with XFCE. Or Xubuntu. Basically the same thing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 hours ago

Q4OS is another good potion

[–] [email protected] 5 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 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!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 17 hours ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 16 hours 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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

FSM

Finite-state machine?

Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Forgetting Sarah Marshall?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 14 hours ago

FSM in the context of a garage probably means Factory Service Manual, i.e. the service manual for a car or motorbike

[–] [email protected] 3 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Its female siamese midgets, how can you not know this?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 13 hours ago

fatal sex maneuver