Earn 60% Commission With This Linux Affiliate Program!
Honorable Mention
This list should keep all you distro hoppers busy!
  • Sabayon Linux Sabayon is based on Gentoo Linux, so you know it is going to be fast. You have a choice of XFCE, LXDE, and E17 desktops for those looking for speed. KDE and Gnome are available in DVD size downloads. Sabayon comes with media codecs and drivers already installed. The real gem of Sabayon is the Spritz package manager. Spritz does for Portage-Endropy what Synaptic does for APT in Debian. Sabayon uses the bleeding edge Gentoo testing software repositories. Sabayon would rank #11 on our list.

  • SimplyMepis 11.0 KDE 3.5 - I would get flamed if I didn't list a distro with the KDE desktop. Mepis 11.0 is the most user friendly KDE distro that will work on my old 733mhz PIII computer. It is not a speedster, but it does feel much faster than Windows XP on the same machine. Mepis also has a small distro with the IceWM that is very fast called Anti-X.

  • Wolvix - Wolvix is a desktop-oriented distribution based on Slackware Linux. It features the Xfce desktop environment. It's mainly targeted at home users. Very user friendly for a Slack based distro. Just like other Slackware remasters, Wolvix is about speed! If you need a rock solid distro that just works, Wolvix is it!

  • OpenSUSE - OpenSUSE is one of the most polished of the major distros. The openSUSE community has live CDs with Gnome, Xfce, E17 (SOAD), or LXDE desktop environments. The E17 (SOAD) is the best of the OpenSUSE live CDs. To heck with package managers, as you can install software with one click from the OpenSUSE website! Get the restricted software here.
  • Sidux Xfce - Sidux is famous for working on more hardware than any distribution. Use "apt get update" then "apt-get install synaptic" in a terminal as root, then you are home free! Once installed, you will have a bleeding edge Debian system that works.

  • PureOS Light with Xfce - Another Debian based hotrod. I used Synaptic to install: mozilla-flash, midori browser, mtpaint, w32codecs, libdvdcss2, jre sun java, and VLC media player. Installing PureOS Light is an easy way to get a clutter free Debian OS on your computer just the way you want it.

  • Elive CD - Speedy Debian base with Enlightenment 17 desktop environment. Eye Candy! Elive would be #13 on our list. I like the bleeding edge developement builds.

  • Puppy Linux - The best live CD distro of them all. No user mode when installed, only root. Puppy works so good from the CD, you may never need to install it. Puppy loads into memory and works from there. This makes Puppy the fastest useable distro on the planet! Save your data to a remote drive or a file on the hard drive, and enjoy true speed. Also check out TeenPup, as it uses IceWM with KDE apps! Gamers will love Puppy Arcade.

  • Slax Linux - Slax is a Slackware based user friendly distro. You can build your own custom Linux ISO online, then download and burn to CD-r. This is just amazing!

  • LXDE Fedora Spin - A lighter, faster, less resource-hungry desktop on Fedora base. High RPM distro! If you are a Fedora fan, this is your hotrod. The Midori browser is nice. No GUI dial-up tool? There is also a Xfce Fedora Spin worth checking out. See This Site on tips how to install flash and codecs for multimedia.

  • Linvo Live Gnome CD - Are you looking for a speedy distro with the Gnome desktop? Linvo is the one! You have Flash & Codecs needed for a good multimedia experience. If you need more goodies, you can go to their site and install a module, or use the Gslapt package manager. This Slackware based CD has an easy to use graphical installer.
    100% Green Energy Web Hosting from HostPapa.com
  • The Chakra Project - Live CD based on Arch Linux with the KDE desktop. Well folks, this is one of the fastest distros with the KDE desktop enviroment. The speed compares to most Gnome based desktops! Chakra has the tools to make it user friendly too. This is a bleeding edge alpha CD, but feels very stable.

  • Absolute Linux - Another blazing fast Slackware based distro. Absolute uses IceWM. I really like what this guy is doing. He needed a simple Linux distro for his customers, so he built one himself!

  • Sam Linux - Was this the first PCLinuxOS Xfce edition? I like it better than the PClinuxOS Phoenix. Now called Samity Linux.

  • Knoppix - Now with the LXDE desktop! Buggy when first installed to HD, but you can make it work.

  • GoblinX G:Mini - This is the eye candy champ of all time! Very stable and fast too! Geeky cool! Now known as Imagineo.

  • Xubuntu - Xfce desktop remix of Ubuntu. Works good on Pentium III class and newer computers with at least 512mb of ram.

  • OpenGEU - This is one awesome operating system. Enlightenment E17 built on Ubuntu with some Gnome helpers to make it user friendly. Awe your friends with 3-D eye candy!

  • KahelOS Light Edition - I have not tested this one , but it looks like a winner. It is based on Arch linux, but has a simple installer. It was designed for netbooks, but should work on the desktop too since it uses Xfce. Included is the Midori browser and the slick Pacman package manager. Note: Not a live CD.
    XR77 Start Page - ( free video poker game! )
    You Must Try This Awesome Web Portal. No Banners or Popups!
    Earn 60% Commission With This Linux Affiliate Program!

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    HomeDistro Linux Main Page