The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Out of the Loop

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by helmetface, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. helmetface

    helmetface Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    So, its been a while since I've used any linux distros, I've used several in the past, but mainly for a spiffy GUI and clean interface.

    I'm not looking for a distro that will give me loads of trouble trying to install drivers, wifi connectivity issues or general heads, I'd like something that 'works' :)

    Would Ubuntu be my best bet? Any specific Ubuntu distros? Oh, this will be used on a new laptop, so I don't need a distro that excels at old hardware.

    Thanks for any suggestions
     
    helmetface, Aug 23, 2011
    #1
  2. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    919
    Messages:
    1,736
    Likes Received:
    718
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Most distros that are active and using the newest kernels shouldn't have any driver or hardware problems aside from dual gpu laptop issues. I would take a look at distrowatch's top distro list and try some of them out running via live cd, usb, or virtual.

    http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
     
    Primes, Aug 23, 2011
    #2
  3. TuxDude

    TuxDude Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    255
    Messages:
    921
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Mint should be your best bet if you want out-of-the-box driver support, next would be Ubuntu, openSUSE. Fedora might be even further down the list.
     
    TuxDude, Aug 23, 2011
    #3
  4. helmetface

    helmetface Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for the suggestions, good link for the distro watch site, forgot about that.

    What would you guys recommend for clean eye-candy?

    I can't think of the app at the moment, but when you can cycle through the multiple desktops with the cube..is that native to one distro?
     
    helmetface, Aug 23, 2011
    #4
  5. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

    Reputations:
    726
    Messages:
    1,086
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Are you thinking of the cube plugin for Compiz? I think compiz is generally installed but not activated in many distros.
     
    woofer00, Aug 23, 2011
    #5
  6. helmetface

    helmetface Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Ya thats the one!
     
    helmetface, Aug 23, 2011
    #6
  7. v1k1ng1001

    v1k1ng1001 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    239
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    compiz is a bit buggy in the latest iteration of ubuntu so tread lightly
     
    v1k1ng1001, Aug 23, 2011
    #7
  8. helmetface

    helmetface Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Is it compiz that is buggy, or is the latest ubuntu release bug riddled?

    Compiz isn't a necessary piece to this puzzle, I'm just looking for something that works, that is revered as being "clean" and kind to the eyes

    Thanks guys
     
    helmetface, Aug 23, 2011
    #8
  9. v1k1ng1001

    v1k1ng1001 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    239
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think the major conflict is in enabling the cube. I've been using 11.04 w/out the cube and it's been fine. Meanwhile the unity desktop may cause some some static with lower end gpus.

    You could run gnome2 (ubuntu classic) with ubuntu, disable compiz and enable metacity.

    The next iteration of ubuntu which will be appearing at the end of next month should address these issues and the screen shots look great.
     
    v1k1ng1001, Aug 23, 2011
    #9
  10. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    404
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I would recommend Ubuntu 11.04 if you have the hardware to run it well (which is not very much actually).
     
    ral, Aug 24, 2011
    #10