so i need to run docker on a linux machine to act as a server… the program processes drone images and i have a physical maximum memory of 16G so i need all i can get to process the data… currently I tried on windows but windows takes half the ram right off the top… currently I am using ubuntu but in my opinion… ubuntu is being taken over by bloatware docker is also stabbing themselves in the foot by trying to sneek spyware…. if i had to run this thing commandline i could do it… but anyway… any ideas?
Hi there,
So I asked around… The list may need some updating. I use Linux distributions like Armbian or Debian, on a Rock64 which are well-supported and optimized for ARM boards.
There are quite a few Linux distros that are “lightweight” and work well on Intel-based PCs, depending on how minimal you want to go (for example: full desktop with GUI, or basically just a minimal system). Here are some of the best/lightest and why they are good — and which one you might pick based on what you want.
Lightweight Linux distros worth considering
- antiX Linux — very minimal, low-resource distro. Great if you want “bare-bones but usable” system without unnecessary overhead. TechRadar+2LinuxQuestions+2
- Puppy Linux — extremely small footprint (runs well even with very little RAM/storage), yet surprisingly capable for everyday tasks if you pick the right packages. It’s FOSS+2FreeCodeCamp+2
- Lubuntu — a lighter, Ubuntu-based desktop; good balance between usability and resource efficiency, especially if you want a full desktop environment without heavy overhead. TechRadar+2Linux.com+2
- Linux Lite — friendly to users coming from Windows, but still quite light compared to heavier modern distros. A good blend of usability and efficiency. LFCS Certification Prep eBook+1
- MX Linux (especially with a lighter desktop/window-manager) — well-regarded for reviving older machines while remaining stable and reasonably modern. LinuxConfig+2Tom’s Hardware+2
- Void Linux — for more experienced users who want a minimal, flexible system and are comfortable setting things up. It tends to be lighter and more lean than many mainstream distros, depending on how you configure it
If I were setting up a light Linux box on an Intel PC today — and I want it to perform well, not waste resources, but stay stable and usable — I’d start with Lubuntu (for familiarity + light desktop) for most tasks. If I wanted rock-bottom resource usage (e.g. reviving an older laptop or building something minimal), I’d try Puppy Linux or antiX. For maximum flexibility under the hood — where I decide exactly what runs — Void Linux or MX Linux would be my choice.
HTH
GL 
PJ 