Speed
CrunchBang Linux has been reported to be a "A Faster Ubuntu". While CrunchBang Linux is not primarily designed for old systems, it has been reported to operate very well where system resources are limited. Once installed, CrunchBang Linux should boot-up and operate much faster than a regular Ubuntu installation.
Compatibility with Ubuntu
With the exception of a few packages, CrunchBang Linux is built entirely from packages available from the Ubuntu repositories. CrunchBang Linux uses the same APT package management tools and update manager. CrunchBang Linux comes with all the lastest package updates installed and ready to go. If you are already familiar with Ubuntu, you should have no trouble working with CrunchBang Linux.
Ease of use
CrunchBang Linux comes with the ability to play most popular media formats, including but not limited to MP3, DVD playback, and Adobe Flash. CrunchBang Linux also comes with many popular applications installed by default, including but not limited to Firefox 3 web browser, VLC media player, Skype and Deluge BitTorrent Client.
Highly configurable
CrunchBang Linux is infinitely hackable, this is mainly due to the standards compliant light-weight extensible window manager that is Openbox. CrunchBang Linux also comes installed with Conky, the customisable lightweight system monitor; and PCManFM, a very popular and highly configurable file manager.
Sans Brownness
Finally, unlike Ubuntu, CrunchBang Linux isn’t brown :)