I have an old Tecra A2 laptop, currently running windows XP. However, it `s OS is so heavy that it takes abaut a quarter of an hour to boot and unfreeze (become usable).
It `s specs are:
Intel Pentium CPU 1.4Ghz
256MB RAM
60GB HD space.
(The laptop is not mine, and I think that its owner wants me to dual boot it between WinXP and a Linux distro)
Which distro do you suggest?
I have considered ubuntu, because I REALLY like Unity interface, but I am not sure if it is going to run well on this machine. I have rejected Kubuntu because because I dislike KDE and because it is to heavy for that old machine. I have also rejected Xubuntu because I find Xfce a pain to configure. How about Lubuntu? I am currently running Sabayon 9 with Mate and love this distro. But there are two more issues. The person that will be using the computer, although computer literate, is a complete linux newbie, so ubuntu philosophy might suit him more. I have to say that I don `t like linux Mint at all, because it` s installer is not as configurable as ubuntu. However, I would like you to suggest whichever distro you think that runs well on that machine and feature a descent GUI.

You wont get current ubuntu 'standard' versions running on 256MB. It _might_ be possible to get it going the hard way (minimal install, then add the DE) but even if you do get it running, its going to be horrible on 256MB.

Xubuntu and lubuntu (and bodhi) should install on 256MB. Wont be as fast as some other lighter distros (and even some that arent that light). BTW, lubuntu 12.04 is NOT an LTS version, its got the same 18month lifespan as normal ubuntu releases. So it would work, but you (or the owner) will have to upgrade or fresh install a newer vesion or different distro in just over 1 year for now.

As far as not liking Xfce/xubuntu, surely it matters more that the person you are installing it for likes the DE?

For a different OS, I'd try antix. 256MB is sod-all RAM these days, and antix is very good at running on low RAM systems.

Thanks, I hadn `t noticed antiX, I will probably go on with that!