OK, these are all xubuntu but there's not a big difference between xubuntu and ubuntu. I think it's KDE that can eat a lot of processor.
Thanks for your replies... i was just wondering. I had no problems with xubuntu 10.04 but did with xubuntu 10.10 (which everyone else seems to run fine).
As for KDE - i found Mepis ran beautifully on a test P3 512mb... when it comes to KDE Mepis is ace.
remember this? http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/135270
yours james