Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DietPi VS IBM OS/2

Compare DietPi VS IBM OS/2 and see what are their differences

DietPi logo DietPi

Dietpi is a debian based operative system made to install new apps easyer.

IBM OS/2 logo IBM OS/2

IBM OS/2 is a series of computer operating systems that is created by Microsoft and IBM under the leadership of software designer Ed Iacobucci.
  • DietPi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-01
  • IBM OS/2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-02

DietPi features and specs

  • Lightweight
    DietPi is designed to be extremely lightweight, requiring minimal resources. It is optimized for performance, making it suitable for low-powered devices.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    DietPi offers a simplified user interface, which makes it accessible and easy to use, even for users who are not very familiar with Linux.
  • Automated Software Installation
    DietPi provides an automated software installer, allowing users to easily install and configure popular software packages and tools.
  • Community Support
    DietPi has an active community and extensive documentation, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and expanding system functionalities.
  • Flexibility
    DietPi is highly customizable, allowing users to tweak and optimize their system according to their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of DietPi

  • Limited GUI Support
    While DietPi is highly efficient, it has limited support for desktop environments, which may be a drawback for users who prefer GUI interfaces.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    For users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces or Linux-based systems, there might be an initial learning curve when first using DietPi.
  • Software Compatibility
    Though DietPi allows for the installation of many software packages, some specialized or less common applications may not be fully compatible or easily installed.
  • Updates Management
    Handling system updates in DietPi requires some manual intervention and understanding, which might be cumbersome for inexperienced users.
  • Fewer Native Features
    Compared to more feature-rich distributions, DietPi might lack some out-of-the-box functionalities that other distributions provide natively.

IBM OS/2 features and specs

  • Multitasking
    OS/2 offers preemptive multitasking, which allows multiple applications to run simultaneously and more efficiently than cooperative multitasking.
  • Stability
    Due to its advanced architecture, OS/2 is known for its stability and robustness, particularly in comparison to other operating systems available at the time of its release.
  • Graphical User Interface
    The OS/2 Workplace Shell was a pioneering graphical user interface that offered a more advanced and user-friendly experience compared to DOS-based systems.
  • Compatibility
    OS/2 provides support for running DOS and many Windows 3.x applications, which was advantageous for users transitioning from older systems.

Possible disadvantages of IBM OS/2

  • Limited Software Support
    OS/2 struggled with limited software availability, as it did not have the same level of developer support as more dominant operating systems like Windows.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    OS/2 requires specific hardware configurations to run efficiently, which can make installation and operation challenging on more modern or non-standard hardware.
  • Market Competition
    The operating system faced significant competition from Microsoft Windows, which led to a decline in its market presence and support over time.
  • Complex Installation
    Installing OS/2 can be more complex and less intuitive compared to more widespread operating systems, potentially deterring less technical users.

Analysis of DietPi

Overall verdict

  • Yes, DietPi is considered to be a good option, particularly for users who are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use Linux operating system for single-board computers. Its resource efficiency and ease of use make it well-suited for those with less powerful devices or those seeking a straightforward setup experience.

Why this product is good

  • DietPi is a lightweight and highly optimized Debian-based Linux distribution designed to be extremely easy to use. It offers a wide range of software optimization tools and scripts, which helps users achieve specific tasks without needing advanced Linux knowledge. The dietpi-software tool provides a streamlined way to install applications, while its comprehensive automation system allows users to automate updates and backups. It is designed to minimize system resource usage, making it an excellent choice for low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi.

Recommended for

  • Users with Raspberry Pi or other single-board computers
  • Those requiring a lightweight OS for low-resource devices
  • Beginners who want an easy-to-use Linux distribution
  • Power users interested in server-oriented applications
  • Anyone looking for a customizable and flexible Linux environment

DietPi videos

Dietpi Raspberry Pi 4 First Look

More videos:

  • Review - 5 Raspberry Pi 4 Distros: Manjaro, DietPi, LibreELEC & More!
  • Tutorial - DietPi - HOW To Install & Initial Configuration on the Raspberry Pi 4

IBM OS/2 videos

LGR Tech Tales - IBM OS/2's Fight Against Windows

More videos:

  • Review - LGR - SimCity Classic for IBM OS/2

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DietPi and IBM OS/2)
Linux
92 92%
8% 8
OS & Utilities
69 69%
31% 31
System & Hardware
59 59%
41% 41
Tool
61 61%
39% 39

User comments

Share your experience with using DietPi and IBM OS/2. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DietPi seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 155 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DietPi mentions (155)

  • DietPi released a new version 9.7
    The full release notes can be found at: https://dietpi.com/docs/releases/v9_7/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: Resources to Get Started with RaspberryPi?
    Checkout DietPi, simplifies configuration, logging, software install and much more. https://dietpi.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • The Raspberry Pi 5 Is No Match for a Tini-Mini-Micro PC
    Please, keep in mind that the usual story "other boards don't have decent Linux support/community" is simply not true. Here are Armbian and DietPi pages where you can find images with mainline support for a lot of common boards, including forums. Images supplied by the board manufacturer should rather be intended for quick testing only as you can't count on their support; just ignore them and go straight to... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Ask HN: Anyone knows where to buy a cheap Linux box?
    Dietpi[0] is pretty good (debian-based) distro that works out of the box with minimal configuration. It was originally designed for a RPi's (I think), but it's expanded to tons of other devices. Here you can see a benchmark of each supported device and decide yourself what you want to go for[1]. 0: https://dietpi.com/#download 1: https://dietpi.com/survey/#benchmark. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • DietPi released a new version 9.1
    The full release notes can be found at: https://dietpi.com/docs/releases/v9_1/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

IBM OS/2 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of IBM OS/2 yet. Tracking of IBM OS/2 recommendations started around Jun 2023.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DietPi and IBM OS/2, you can also consider the following products

TinyCore - Simple operating system based on Linux that uses "modules", and loads everything into RAM. Can be persistent too.

FatDog64 - FatDog64 is the lightweight 64-bit multi-user Linux distribution.

CRUX Linux - CRUX is a lightweight Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at experienced Linux...

Porteus - Learn how to install Porteus, about Porteus modules and getting porteus to work with wifi internet.

Plop Linux - Plop Linux is a small distribution built from scratch that can boot from CD, DVD, USB flash drive...

Lubuntu - Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. The core of the system is based on Linux and Ubuntu. Lubuntu uses the minimal desktop LXDE, and a selection of light applications.