[colug-432] Determine Resource Usage

[tom]

How do I determine how much resources a Distro uses. Posted online? 
Determine from command line?

I am installing Linux on an old laptop for someone. They asked for 
LinuxMInt 13 Maya as they think it will use less resources than 
LinuxMint 16. I want to verify that. I think 16 would be better if it 
does not hog a lot more resources.

I did install LinuxMint16xfce, but seemed rather limited.

Tom