Q4OS is a Debian-based desktop Linux distribution designed to offer classic-style user interface (Trinity) and simple accessories, and to serve stable APIs for complex third-party applications, such as Google Chrome, VirtualBox and development tools. The system is also very useful for virtual cloud environments due to its very low hardware requirements.
To compare the software in this project to the software available in other distributions, please see our Compare Packages page.
Notes: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The Apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "plasma-desktop" package and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.
Colour scheme:green text = latest stable version, red text = development or beta version. The function determining beta versions is not 100% reliable due to a wide variety of versioning schemes.
TUXEDO
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
Star Labs
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
I tried this on an old laptop after learning it was supposed to be a good, lightweight fit for older computers. I also liked the look of TDE, so I thought it might be worth checking out. Unfortunately, I later learned it is not as lightweight as it would seem.
I really liked that they have a Windows installer/uninstaller in their website, it really makes everything much easier.
However, during the first installation, the laptop crashed out of nowhere. Granted, I had disconnected it from the power source for a short while, but it had been connected for a good amount of time, and the battery was mostly full, if the indicator could be trusted. After that, nothing could be updated, so I tried uninstalling and installing again.
After installing the distro again, I was surprised that TDE was not installed, even though I had checked the proper box to do so. I tried installing it afterwards, but without success.
The system also presented several "slowdowns" - I mean, I expected this sort of thing from the Windows 10 already installed, not from a Linux distro.
The final nail in the coffin was a complete freeze when I clicked on the update button - it didn't open the package manager, or anything, and wouldn't let me do anything else either. I suppose that many people may find this distro appealing, but from my experience I simply can't recommend it.
Version: 5.8 Rating: 9 Date: 2025-07-04 Votes: 4
Fantastic and stable operating system.
I've used hundreds of distros, and I'm currently using this on all my laptops. It works great on my older Lenovo G-50, and my newer Lenovo VA-14.
Using Debian 12 is great, as it's stable. And, Plasma is 5 is perfect for older computers; it has everything you expect from Plasma, without the heavy memory requirements.
Installation is very easy. They have a great repository of software, including flatpak. And, they have a handy software update app that reminds you of important upgrades. Some low-memory distros don't have this.
Try it!
Version: 5.8 Rating: 7 Date: 2025-06-05 Votes: 1
A very good distro especially for low end notebooks, i installed on a 2005 packard bell one and runs flawlessy
a distro that is not exactly "lightweight" or at least not as much as I expected but very solid and well made, the TDE interface is excellent, the only big flaw is that it is a bit confusing with the graphical package manager and with the forced choice between minimal, basic and complete which seems very unnecessarily complicated and that wastes a lot of time after installation when you would like to do something else (It's a bit reminiscent of Windows :-| )