Most Linux-based operating systems are fairly large — usually well over a full gigabyte in size for the base install image.

Tiny Core Linux, which clocks in at a svelte 22 MB download, just released version 13.

It’s fast.  And another neat trick:

“Unlike most operating systems, the Tiny Core can run completely from RAM. Individuals with RAM to spare can even use Tiny Core to load and run their programs from RAM (you didn’t know your computer could run Open Office and Firefox so quick). Experienced users can still install Tiny Core to disk, but Tiny Core can run in 48 megabytes of RAM … or less.”

Yeah. That’s right. You can run your entire operating system… from RAM.

And, even with only 48 MB… it still runs fast.

Think about it like this: Ubuntu can barely run with 2 GB of RAM. Emphasis on the barely. With only 2 GB, Ubuntu runs about as fast as a frozen ball of boogers. And 2 GB is 42 times more than 48 MB. FOURTY TWO TIMES.

Read more on The Lunduke Journal of Technology and the project website.