When comparing Puppy Linux vs RebornOS, the Slant community recommends Puppy Linux for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for desktops?” Puppy Linux is ranked 10th while RebornOS is ranked 41st. The most important reason people chose Puppy Linux is:
Puppy Linux requires 128MB of RAM and 333Mhz of CPU, although 256MB of RAM is recommended.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Extremely low minimum system requirements
Puppy Linux requires 128MB of RAM and 333Mhz of CPU, although 256MB of RAM is recommended.
Pro The whole OS runs off of RAM
Since Puppy Linux is completely loaded and run off of RAM instead of HDD, it's read/write speed is not a factor.
Pro Designed to run as a live USB/CD
A portable version, that can be carried on a thumb drive without requiring installation, weighs less than 100MB; a Live CD - less than 150MB. You can even save your settings and files for Puppy on the external device/media.
Running off a live CD also has security benefits, as your system will reset to the known config after each boot.
Pro Different distro based versions available
Puppy Linux offers a few different releases.
The first is an Ubuntu based release called Tahrpup, by using this version the user is able to take advantage of all software and support from Ubuntu.
The second version is called Slacko, which is built upon the Slackware binaries.
The third is called Wary and it is built to support older hardware than the rest.
And the fourth is called Quirky, which is used as a base to explore new ideas.
Pro Linux distro designed for this exact purpose
Pro Offers a long term support release
Puppy Linux offers an LTS release called Precise.
Pro It can be the only distro that works
Sometimes, Puppy Linux is the only distro that works on an old machine: all other distros are more demanding.
Pro JWM used as window manager
JWM is a low resource window manager that is used in most Puppy Linux installs.
Pro Arch Customization without the hassle
You can choose from 15 different desktop environments. Choose from a list of software to install that lets you pick web browsers, Spotify, what kind of office suite, etc. Not as robust in terms of choosing what you install compared to Arch, but more than enough for newcomers and those just looking to get things done. Nice midweight OS.
Pro AUR enabled by default
The Arch Users Repository is already enabled. Really helps with finding some proprietary software.
Pro Very stable
Pro Great community!
Pro Runs Android apps
Reborn OS has a program that allows you to install and run Android apps on your desktop. Great for app developers or those who might be addicted to a certain app.
Pro Flatpak support
Having Flatpak support adds a nice graphical app store to the OS. You can find most software you might need in there.
Cons
Con A bit ugly
Using puppy makes you feel like you just jumped 20 years into the past. Being that the purpose of Puppy Linux is to run or really low resource machines the software used is often on the older side, which is precisely why it has a 20 year old look.
Con Not as light as it used to be
It's light, but not as light as it was 1-2 years ago.
Con Smallest software library ever
You can barely find any precompiled packages for Puppy.
Con No built in compositing
Being a low resource distro there is zero built in compositing for the JWM window manager. Though one can be added through a bit of work.
Con AUR enabled by default
this is a security risk since AUR packages are maintained by users rather than a single company and anyone can insert malicious code into the AUR packages
Con Redundant
it is just Arch Linux with an easier installer and doesn't provide any functionality that neither Manjaro nor Arch doesn't already have.
Con Uses systemd
Con Can be a little buggy sometimes
Although not outright system crashes or freezes, but programs not working correctly after an update is quite common. Some desktop environments can be temperamental. Examples: running Deepin DE at first and the zoom for the display is 150%. You can fix this by going to settings and setting the desktop to 100%, but then something else might happen, e.g. you lose icons on the dock. Minor headaches and some are easily fixable. Certainly not a deal breaker.