My Linux VMs are still Ubuntu 14 and getting quite old. I have only installed 32Bit versions, as I prefer to keep mail(Thunderbird), surfing(Firefox), some scripting (Node.Js, Python) and Office(WinXP) in separate VMs - my paranoid streak coupled with only 12 GB Laptop RAM.

I might try out a few new distris: Mint32 feels slow and moans about missing graphics drivers, Zorin Lite looks like a mixture of XP, Win7 and some Linux - which is actually not bad, feels "alive" compared to Mint - but fails currently in installing guest additions, blocking out _clipboard - both on .ISO and apt-get install...

When Win7 is unsupported, there will be a Win10 32 bit VM for all new Office versions and other Windows stuff. But I will try to prevent continous snooping by trying out current Zorin, even if it is 64bit, as they claim superior WINE support to try Office97, Office XP, Totalcommander and Fox there as alternative to my internet-isolated XP or Win10 "workhorse 32-Bit", perhaps Robolinux as well, as they aim for Win Users also with better VM integration no idea,what is supposed to be better done there. Not so sure about ReactOS, rumoured to be unstable.

Perhaps PuppyLinux from the [tiny, install on USB] set as I want my Surf and Mail VMs be sleek and low on fat - and then read up on a few Arch distros, as they don't aim for the full load, but only install what you wish for.... Any hints in that area?

Any further hints on distributions running well for single applications with 1 core, 768-1280MB Ram, 8-25 GB of SSD .Vhd as system parameters for the guest VM ? I know some small distros can run on less than 4GB disc, but copy speed of USB3 makes 10-20GB palatable, if the RAM footprint is low but current Firefox and Thunderbird work well.

And Al, on SSD: in HD fixed disc size was clearly better for .VHD/.VDI. On SSD wear is more of a problem - fixed disc size (=fixed cells of SSD?) still the best practice ? All others invited to give their opinion, if they think about such odd HW topics...

thx

thomas