Slow slow slow

Hello.

I recently tried to install Linux (first SuSE then Debian) on a old 
Netra T1 (450 MHz).

Main problem with both distros was that it was really really slow!! I 
know this is not the fastest hardware, but it was totally unusable, and 
more to the point: slower than solaris on the same machine.

Are there any special options one has to use on this kind of hardware?

-Torvald