Linux – Run 32-bit Java VM on 64-bit Linux (Ubuntu)

There are several minimalist Linuxes where you can just install what you need. Ubuntu Server would probably be easiest to set up, but if all you want is Java, you could probably get Arch running like that pretty easily. Just do a base install and then:

pacman -Sy jdk jre

You could get it booting real fast and light since you wouldn't need any daemons running except network (and probably sshd).

what about debian [ although you might say it's almost ubuntu ] ? but as in the case of ubuntu - it's up to you to disable [or not to install] unnecessary services/features. maybe you can run your app / x in headless mode?

edit: indeed screen seems to be much much wiser and less memory intensive solution - if you dont need actual x's... go console!