New versions of major operating systems advertise themselves with claims of increased productivity, convenience, and performance. However, demands on the hardware increase as well. Current Windows and Linux systems require machines with multicore processors, a generous amount of working memory, and a modern graphics card.

Aside from the more commonly known systems, a growing number of lean Linux derivatives work surprisingly well on single-core computers, which are up to 15 years old and only have small amounts of memory.

For our test, we installed some of these derivatives on a computer that was about 10 years old. The test turned out well. The computer showed itself capable of working productively with the lean Linux versions.

Test Scenario

To test the feasibility of these derivatives, we used several HP Compaq notebooks from the Centrino and first Centrino 2 generations. These notebooks have simple single-core and dual-core processors and no turbo boost or hyperthreading. They generally use integrated Intel graphics chips for controlling the display.

We tested the desktop side with Pentium D systems of the same age. These were based on the Intel Netburst architecture and were accordingly inefficient. Additionally, we tested the economical Linux distributions on IBM workstations built in 2003 and 2004 with Pentium 4 single-core processors.

We narrowed our choices from among the three dozen or so lean Linux distributions that are mentioned on Wikipedia [1] by applying the following criteria. The distributions had to enable productive computer work. Distributions lacking an office package or current browser, such as Firefox/Iceweasel or Weasel or Chromium, were disqualified.

Similar demands were made on the desktop environment. It had to be efficient to operate, and we didn't want one that emanated the look and feel of the early 1990s. All settings and tools needed to have a graphical interface so that newcomers to Linux would not have to spend too much time figuring out how to operate the systems.

4MLinux

The first candidate we looked at was 4MLinux, which is a mini Linux distro from Poland [2] that is unusual for many reasons. Developed independently for the graphic desktop Joe's Window Manager, JWM [3], and also part of the classic and lean Window Maker [4], the system focuses on four application areas.

The maintenance area includes a series of tools for system maintenance and data recovery. The multimedia category has programs for playing and editing audiovisual content, miniserver bundles lean server services, and the subgroup mystery is allocated to games.

4MLinux does not need very many resources when the operating system is installed on local bulk memory. The working memory should be at least 128MB, and at least 1GB of free space needs to be available on the hard disk or SSD. The Wbar quickstart bar, which is used for important applications and sits at the upper edge of the screen, together with the status monitor Conky, which sits on the desktop, give the system a modern look.

Thanks to the preconfigured Idesks, it is even possible to put icons on the minimalist desktop. This includes some optical gimmicks. The panel bar at the bottom of the screen with it starters, main menu, and system tray round out the desktop (Figure 1).

Figure 1: During testing, the start screen for 4MLinux established itself as cutting edge.

The extensions that have been put into the main menu in 4MLinux are also worthy of mention. These include installation scripts for numerous standard applications, such as LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, and also Wine, the Java runtime environment, and Virtualbox. With these extensions, no manual installation is necessary for users who want to add to the collection of software.

Additionally, VirtualBox offers the option of executing another operating system on 4MLinux. It turned out that even smaller Linux derivatives and OS/2 Warp v3 could be used in virtual machines, although the single core CPUs with their 1GB working memory were not breaking any speed records in the process.

Conclusion: 4MLinux is appealing due to its extremely small consumption of resources, a high level of stability, and speedy functioning. Thus, it is suitable for use as a solid all-around system in the day-to-day workplace.

However, it does have gaps in its software portfolio. Users who enjoy installing and experimenting with new programs might consider this an interesting challenge.

AntiX

AntiX [5] comes from Greece and is well known for a 32-bit version that runs on older computers that have only 64MB of main memory. The prerequisite for using AntiX is that a minimum of 128MB swap area exists in bulk storage. This system is also frugal with processor resources. The lower bound of resource requirements is set by the Pentium II CPU. The available hard drive storage should consist of at least 2.2GB for a static installation.

This operating system is based on Debian's Testing branch and uses a very lean window manager and desktop just as 4MLinux does. It comes equipped with IceWM [6] (Figure 2) but Fluxbox, JWM, and the exotic HerbstluftWM are available as alternatives.

Figure 2: The desktop for AntiX Linux is simple yet functional.

In contrast to most other lean Linux distributions, AntiX includes several standard applications for every day use. As a result, you will find Iceweasel and LibreOffice already on board. The developers have also integrated some programs from Gnome, Xfce, and LXDE into the system.

AntiX also includes a considerable number of maintenance tools. Thus, you can find Bleachbit for deleting superfluous data, GParted for partitioning data storage devices, Htop for showing services and processes currently running, Midnight Commander, which makes work on files and directories more efficient, and also Synaptic, a graphical front end for program administration, among other things.

These are available in the system tools menu. Because of its Debian history, AntiX can make use of a considerable number of software packages. The Debian-based repositories feature more than 50,000 packages.

As could be expected, the AntiX Linux desktop is both spartan and functional. Conky and a slim panel bar are the sole inhabitants on the display screen. In the interest of conserving resources, there are no optical gimmicks and, indeed, resource consumption was very limited during testing. There it became clear that AntiX works very well on old Pentium III systems, sometimes with less than 100MB of memory. Memory usage seldom increased past 300MB even when three or more programs were open. Nor did the system lose agility.

Conclusion: The externals are boring, but AntiX gets points for enormous speed and most importantly its excellent software equipment. Applications typically used in daily work are included on the hard drive. Thanks to its Debian base plus Synaptic, a graphical software administrator, this operating system fulfills not only software desires, it can also easily be operated by beginners and users who are changing systems. All this means that AntiX Linux is well justified in its claims of being a fully functional and flexible operating system for old computers with low performance.

SalentOS

SalentOS [7] is an Ubuntu derivative named after the city of Salento, Italy. It is also available in a version designed for older hardware. Because this version uses Openbox [8] as the window manager, it can make do with significantly fewer resources than those required by the standard Ubuntu derivatives. Elements from Gnome and Xfce have been included in the operating system to spice up the desktop and round out the selection of apps and system tools.

The SalentOS developers want to position their operating system on the market as an option for older hardware. They also wanted to spruce up the appearance of the Ubuntu derivative to maintain a relationship to more contemporary desktops.

As a result, you will find the panel bar Tint2 [9] at the upper edge of the display screen. This is rather unusual for Openbox, but the presence of Tint2 does lend a professional look to the user interface and increases functionality (Figure 3).

Figure 3: You won't find any frills on the SalentOS desktop.

Additionally, SalentOS allows for a detailed configuration of Tint2. The developers have made the legendary configuration options from the Openbox window manager available. All of the relevant options are located in the menu group Openbox settings , which is found in the main menu. These include graphical tools and scripts that you can modify as desired in the terminal (Figure 4).

Figure 4: You will find the most important settings options in the control center.

When started, SalentOS offers a choice between live operation and static installation. This allows you to first look at the system without having to touch the hard drive. Potential language settings are handled directly in the selection window. If the computer you are using has enough graphics hardware, SalentOS lets you use the composite manager Compton [10] to spruce up the appearance of the desktop. The Compton settings can be reached directly from the main menu.

Because this distro sits on top of the package source for Ubuntu, users have the complete Ubuntu repertoire at their fingertips. Also, the distribution already has many standard applications both in live operations as well as static installation on the hard drive. Additionally, the graphics package administration tool Synaptic is available in the main menu, letting you install new programs on the system with just a few mouse clicks.

Conclusion: Like AntiX Linux, which sits on Debian, SalentOS shines because it is very robust and has an enormous selection of software. The system is suitable as an all-around solution for daily tasks and should not present beginners or users switching from another system with too many learning hurdles. When comparing the two distributions, it becomes clear that SalentOS runs significantly more sedately. The system requires more resources than AntiX Linux and is therefore not suitable for application on computers with less than 100MB of working memory.

SliTaz

SliTaz [11] is a tiny operating system that, in its stable version, just barely manages to have an image size of 35MB. Like our other candidates, SliTaz comes with a graphical interface and preinstalled software.

The desktop is similar to SalentOS in that it is based on Openbox. Localization settings are found in the boot manager, which copies the entire operating system from the live CD to memory. This allows SliTaz to achieve an attractive operating speed even on old computers.

Nonetheless, the memory should not be less than 256MB capacity. Systems with less RAM can be used with the so-called LORAM version that the developers have created. This version makes do with a 128MB memory. Furthermore, a Loram CD-ROM version is available that actually needs only 24MB RAM. All of the versions can be installed on bulk storage. Once booted, the graphical desktop promptly appears.

On the desktop, you will find a horizontal panel bar at the upper edge of the display screen. This bar has a start menu and a system tray. The desktop accepts icons and files and as a result may begin to resemble star performers such as Xfce and LXDE (Figure 5).

Figure 5: At first glance, the SliTaz desktop is barely distinguishable from Xfce and LXDE.

SliTaz was developed in Switzerland and has its own package administrator and an accompanying graphical package administration tool. Because fast Internet connections are not available everywhere, the package sources – which number in the thousands – can be stored on a DVD and subsequently installed when it is convenient. The entire size of the package currently amounts to about 3GB.

The TazPanel functions as the central administration tool in SliTaz. This tool lets you install new applications and update existing software. It also makes it possible to accomplish a wide variety of administration tasks.

The breadth of SliTaz software packages is not as far reaching as that of other candidates with origins in Debian and Ubuntu. Nor does it include large applications such as LibreOffice, Gimp, Thunderbird, or Firefox. Still, it shows itself to be a slim and useful alternative for very old hardware (Figure 6).

Figure 6: SliTaz lets you install new programs without requiring the use of the command line.

Conclusion: SliTaz makes the recommended list due to its capabilities on very old hardware as far back as the Pentium II processor. However, your system should have at least 256MB of RAM. The system makes no demands on bulk storage or graphics hardware.

For everyday use, you would need to retrofit SliTaz with various applications. Thanks to the graphical package manager, however, this does not present any problems.

Overall Impression

The four Linux distributions tested here clearly show that it can be productive and practical to use old hardware. What you will need is a suitable operating system that can breathe new life into the machinery.

The four candidates we tested are able to do this. They defied the persistent myth that functional shortcomings and operating difficulties are inevitable with small Linux distributions. It makes sense to seriously consider these modern and secure operating systems instead of older less secure versions of Windows that have not been maintained for a very long time.