I'm looking for a lightweight Linux distribution since my SSD is just 32GB. I've tried Mint and Bodhi, but those take up around 10-15GB after installation, which isn't feasible for my needs. I want something that uses less than 10GB so I can have some space left. My main activities will be light web browsing and emulating games from NES to GBA via a USB stick, so no heavy gaming involved. I'm relatively new to Linux, having used Mint for about a year, but I'm open to trying something a bit more complex if needed.
5 Answers
Definitely consider Lubuntu or Xubuntu. They're both designed to be lightweight and should fit well within your SSD limits.
You might want to check out Xubuntu; it has a minimal install ISO that typically uses around 7.6 to 8 GB. Another option is Q4OS, which also offers a minimal install that hovers around 9 GB. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try the Debian netinstall ISO for a base system and then manually add a window manager like JWM while keeping the installation lightweight by using the "--no-install-recommends" option.
Installing Ubuntu Server can also be a good route. You can later add any desktop environment you prefer, which should help keep your installation minimal.
Another option worth checking out is Batocera, especially since you mentioned emulation. It's designed for that purpose and might just fit the bill!
Arch Linux could work too! The installation process looks tricky, but if you follow the instructions, you'll get it up and running in no time. If you're not confident, using archinstall can make it easier!
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