Re: [PLUG] Recommendations for an OS that will run on 256MB laptop

On Sun, Oct 20, 2024 at 7:25 AM Martin Cracauer via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:

Steve Litt via plug wrote on Sun, Oct 20, 2024 at 02:38:52AM -0400:
> Steven Grunza via plug said on Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:08:11 -0400
>
> >I am looking to use an old laptop for a proof-of-concept project. It
> >needs an OS but only has 256MB of system RAM, which is the maximum the
> >machine will hold. It originally ran Windows TabletPC (basically
> >WinXP).
> >
> >I was thinking of trying Slax but the recommendation is 512MB minimum
> >for Slax.
> >
> >It would basically be a programming station with WiFi or Ethernet
> >connection to report results/statistics using a USB connected
> >programming pod and a USB connected barcode scanner.
> >
> >Any suggestions as to a Linux (or BSD) distribution that would work
> >with only 256MB?
>
> I think pretty much any Linux distro that doesn't force all sorts of
> junk on you should do the trick. In other words, not Ubuntu, Mint, or
> all those other "training wheels, all GUI all the time" distros.
>
> I don't know whether or not systemd consumes much RAM, because I don't
> use systemd and I have 64GB of RAM on my daily driver.

My attempt with 256 MB blew up way before init (systemd) is reached.
Probably when loading initrd. That makes it likely that a large range
of Linux distributions don't do 256 MB anymore out of the box.

While FreeBSD ran it was overtaking 256 MB RAM even with a single C++
compilation, reducing to 30% CPU and getting some processes OOMed even
with 1 GB swap in addition to 256 MB RAM.

I'd say the prospects of making productive use of such a machine are
slim. On Linux you probably have to make a custom kernel and run
without initrd.

Martin

> Why not take a well provisioned system and install various distros on a
> 256MB Qemu VM? Besides all the other fine Linuxes and BSDs recommended
> in this thread, try Void Linux. Install just the core, which is all
> command line. Then if you want GUI, install xterm, then X, then
> [openbox | jwm | IceWM | etcetera ]. I have no idea whether Wayland
> uses less RAM than X.
>
> If you must install a browser, something like vimb limits your
> footprint. Stay away from mainstream browsers.
>
> Another thing you might try is Plop Linux. It says it can run in 64MB.
>
> https://www.plop.at/en/ploplinux/index.html
>
> SteveT
>
> Steve Litt
>
> http://444domains.com
> ___________________________________________________________________________
> Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
> Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
> General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug

--
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Martin Cracauer <cracauer@cons.org> http://www.cons.org/cracauer/
___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug