Is there an Ubuntu version that would fit on a 1GB USB stick?

Solution 1:

You can choose Lubuntu or Xubuntu. But I am not sure if the final install will fit in 1 GB, so you could use Lubuntu minimal install OR xubuntu-core (I personally prefer xubuntu-core). To do this you have to download the mini.iso available in the Ubuntu website, here:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/MinimalCD

The mini.iso is a live system for text-based Ubuntu installation. It is around 40 MBs. You can burn it to a CD or USB and boot from it. Follow the instructions in the above link, choose your USB stick to be used as the root filesystem and a base for Ubuntu will be installed on it. Do not install any extra packages in the end of the minimal install.

Now you have a headless (no graphical environment) Ubuntu system inside your USB stick. Boot from it and you will be dropped in a command line. From there you can run 'sudo apt-get install lubuntu-core' for a minimal version of Lubuntu or 'sudo apt-get install xubuntu-core^' (do not forget the ^) for a minimal version of Xubuntu. Lubuntu will leave you with more space for additional programs; in the other hand, Xubuntu has more features and customization, but you will be left with only a few MBs to use. The decision is yours.

Remember: the "core" versions of Lubuntu/Xubuntu do not have any programs beyond the Desktop Environment, a File Manager, a Terminal and some configurations. You will have to install other programs (like web browsers, software centers and media players) from the command line.

EDIT: seems like you would like to have Unity. You could try 'sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop' on the command line to get only the Unity desktop environment, but I am not sure if it will fit in 1 GB. You could give it a try, and if there's no enough space, just format your USB stick and start again, using xubuntu-core or lubuntu-core. Please tell us your experience.

Solution 2:

Since the accepted answer by @Eduardo Cola was written, the engine under the hood as well as some of the application programs have grown.

• When this is written (2017-09-25) all current Lubuntu versions fit within 1 GB, when cloned from the iso file to a USB stick or memory card.

• There is no currently supported version of Xubuntu still within 1 GB. Xubuntu 14.04.1 LTS, was supported for 3 years with end of life April 2017 and the current versions are too big.

• It is not possible to create a useful installed Ubuntu based mini system within 1 GB. You can make a very bare-bone system from the Ubuntu mini.iso, but there will not be enough space for application programs. An installed Lubuntu system can be squeezed into 4 GB.

• This link specifies the size needed for different cases,

  help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick#Notes_about_size

  2 GB is enough for 'CD size' iso files as well as many but not all 'DVD size' iso files.

  If you want a persistent live system with a decent size casper-rw storage, you need at least 4 GB (2 GB is possible, but might soon run out of space).

  If you want an installed system you need at least 8 GB (4 GB is possible with Lubuntu, but might soon run out of space). In the beginning of 2017, it seems that there are no really fast pendrives below 16 GB. If you want a fast system, install it into a pendrive that performs well in a test, even if it is 'bigger than necessary'.

• The reason why live Lubuntu is within 1 GB is that most of it is compressed, and expanded to RAM, when running a live session. This is not the case when installed, and more space is used. Last but not least, you need some drive space to store your own files.