Thinking of ditching Ubuntu, what to use now ?

[hhhd1]

I tried to get used to ubuntu's weird interface, but I am fed up, I am looking at:

Linux Mint
Xubuntu
Lubuntu

Which should I pick and why , or something else?

It is important to:
1. be compatable with ubuntu's repository of apps, so I can install and do the same configuration as ubuntu.
2. low resource usage, need an interface that doesn't use much cpu.

Usage:

Currently I run ubuntu12.04 in vmware player with 2gb hd space, as a live usb with 1.2gb of the space is used for persistent file, (so that the live cd would act as a real installation, and allow setting up few applications and configurations).

[Nothinman]

I'm a big Debian fan, but you need to be prepared to do a little more upfront work to get it setup the way you want.

[kleinkinstein]

PCLinuxOS. All sorts of variants, especially the popular MiniMe. It's been an endearing equity of sweat for longer than I care to admit.

[lxskllr]

Keep Ubuntu, and install a different interface. No point in wiping your install just to change fit/finish.

[ScoobMaster]

try peppermint. It is pretty much what you described. Small, lightweight, based on Mint and uses the Ubuntu repositories. It is elegant in what it does and boots VERY quick.

http://www.peppermintos.com

[Paperlantern]

I like peppermint, it's a good suggestion, but I like mint better.

[hhhd1]

Ok,

Debian is an overkill for what I need, I prefer it for servers when stability is more important than 'desktop' type application support (ubuntu-restricted-extras ..etc)

I am now trying to decide between Xubuntu and Peppermint, (both based on 12.04)

Installed both on a 2.2gb partition, both of them ended up using the same amount of space on a compressed brtfs partition (about 1.6gb), and similar resources used.

Peppermint has much better selection of pre-installed software.

Not sure how much customization exactly has been done from ubuntu to peppermint, I have got the same sources in /etc/apt/sources.list , just like a regular ubuntu 12.04, which probably means not much customization except for desktop environment and application selection, is that correct ?