Which Linux Distribution should I use?

Memory capacities 128-, 256-, 512-MB, and 1-GB non-ECC DDR SDRAM Minimum memory 256 MB Maximum memory 2 GB Boost your ram to at least 1GB and you will notice quite a difference in the Linux you use. Also make your swap partition at least twice the size of the RAM installed. I make mine four times the size of the RAM installed. What is the best Linux or what is best for me, is a difficult subject to answer. What do you want Linux to do, what kind of programs do you want to run. Linux is a confusing discussion, because there are so many articles about it, it is hard to sort it all out. I checked out two different articles today, 15 Programs every Linux user should have, then I check out one that said 10 programs every Linux users should have, and you know what, they weren't even the same list of programs. It all boils down to what it is that you need, not someone else. xUbuntu, a desktop environment, same with all the other desktop environments. Difference is what it installs for that environment. You can take the lightest one and make it a full blown operating system, by install files from the repositories using the software management programs. If I remember correctly, Enlightenment is even lighter than xUbuntu (XFCE). You may get suggestions like Puppy Linux, DSL (Damn Small Linux) and even Feather Linux, that work with older computers that are not as powerful as newer computers.

256 MB ram is very little and some newer releases of linux will not run on that little ram. If you try to watch any videos it will really have problems. You should be able to find some used ram for an older system at a very low price. Here are some links to help you select a distro that will fit your needs and match your computer hardware.

Ubuntu was made to compete with Vista so it was a bad choice for this old computer.Go with Linux mint or puppy linux

I'm going to suggest you stick with Ubuntu, at least for a start. It's about the easiest to install, and there's a large community of users. I'm running the latest version - Ubuntu 10.04 - on two Dells: a 2400 (very much like your 4600C; perhaps a bit faster) and a 4400 (much slower than your 4600C). It works well. Make sure you've got the latest version. Some recent versions (8.10, 9.04) have had difficulty dealing with Intel Integrated Graphics. How much RAM have you got? My 4400 works well with only 512 Mb. Good luck. EDIT, 16-AUG: Only 256 Mb RAM? That's your problem. You'll either have to stick with one of the *very* lightweight Linux distributions, or get more RAM. RAM for that machine will be cheap on eBay. Get one or two 512 Mb modules and run your system with 768 (512 + 256) or 1 Gig (512 + 512). My *best* machine is 2.66 GHz, 1 Gb RAM, Ubuntu 10.04 (Dell Dimension 2400). It's plenty fast.