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Energy-efficient distro recommendations? (programming.dev)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by staircase@programming.dev to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Which distros are energy efficient? I have a capable desktop, and I mean to push it, but I don't want to be using energy if it's not necessary. I'm not looking to rescue an old laptop, for example.

I hear CachyOS is fast. Does that translate to energy efficient?

(Does the OS even matter that much for efficiency?)

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[-] NM_Gringo@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

I have Ubuntu running with a sound bar and monitor that only pulls 40 watts. My processor is one of those vanilla box mini computers...GMKTech. I'm able to run it off a 1 kwh solar power station and it lasts a laughably long time. How much more efficiency do you need? I have fans that use more power than my desktop.

[-] diaphragmwp@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I don't know how your monitor is this efficient, mine consumes around that exact amount (40 watts) according to "displayspecifications.com".

Anyways, with my laptop eDP panel instead (driven by sway), external keyboard, external mouse, I have running:

  • systemd, glibc, NetworkManager, all that evil ass background crap
  • mpv playing a .ogg to headphones
  • Firefox with this website, typing rn
  • weechat connected to 3 servers
  • toxic
  • claws mail
  • Tor daemon
  • Wi-Fi through 2 walls

Let's look at upower -d:

energy:              35,926 Wh
energy-empty:        0 Wh
energy-full:         35,926 Wh
energy-full-design:  53,049 Wh
(...)
energy-rate:         5,64 W
time to empty:       6,3 hours
(...)
capacity:            67,7223%
technology:          lithium-ion

roflmao (no, I don't know why my battery is already this dead, or at least is counted as such)

EDIT: before anyone mentions how a laptop is cheating, mini PCs all have laptop CPUs/APUs anyway

this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
38 points (100.0% liked)

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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