Honorable Mention
This list should keep all you distro hoppers busy!

  • WattOS - This is one of the fastest distros on this page and would be #11 on our list. LXDE desktop built on a gutted Ubuntu base. Adobe Flash, plus the Gstreamer bad and ugly codecs included. You can take advantage of the huge Ubuntu software repositories. I just love WattOS, and it would be my first choice for netbooks or older laptops!

  • SimplyMepis 8.0 KDE 3.5 - I would get flamed if I didn't list a distro with the KDE desktop. Mepis 8.0 is the most user friendly KDE distro that will work on my old 933mhz 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. Haha funny...they forgot to include a web browser in the Gnome live CD!
  • 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.

  • SliTaz GNU/Linux - Why is a mini-distribution on this list? Because SliTaz is the fastest Linux distro of them all when installed to the hard-drive. Use the package manager to add all the software and codecs you need. I have SliTaz running on a 300mhz PII system with 192mb of memory and 32mb of video. My box feels faster than many P4s with Vista! I use the NetSurf browser as Firefox is very slow. Check out the Stable and Cooking packages available.

  • 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.

  • U-Lite (Was UbuntuLite) - A nice little speedy operating system built with the LXDE desktop. Goofy install, as a broadband connection is needed. Very nice once you get it on your system. Compares well to WattOS and Lubuntu.

  • 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!

  • SaxonOS - Slackware base with LXDE. Still in beta, but should be a winner when final. In fact it is pretty darn good now. So darn fast!

  • 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.

  • Spri Linux (Icebuntu) - IceWM built on Ubuntu base. Very fast on older computers. Tons of software available so you can make it right for you.
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  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Salix OS (Bansai Linux) - At first I thought this was a Zenwalk knockoff, but not really. If you want to set up SalixOS just the way you want, go with the "Basic" install, then add the extras with gslapt. If you want to take the easy route, just do a full install. This simple Xfce distribution has Slackware speed would be #12 on our list!

  • KateOS - It has been awhile since any updates. Very well put together distro. I hope they keep the project going.

  • 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.
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