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    Ubuntu Desktop v. Netbook?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by Twism86, Mar 2, 2011.

  1. Twism86

    Twism86 Notebook Consultant

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    I want to get a netbook and install Ubuntu. Ive never had it and am craving it but dont want to install it on my current laptop.

    For a run of the mill atom N455, 1gb netbook which would be a better choice? All i really need is web browsing and video playback (movies), email, and some music capabilities. Does the netbook edition offer any advantages? Would the desktop be slower on my netbook? I want to install Chrome and open office as well.

    Thanks,
    Tom
     
    Twism86, Mar 2, 2011
    #1
  2. Dead2th3world

    Dead2th3world Pure Hatred

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    The desktop edition run beautifully on my Samsung NC10 (2Gb or ram) , haven't tried the netbook edition so can't say anything regarding it.

    You can also try both to see which one suits you best by just running it off the USB stick instead of installing it.
     
    Dead2th3world, Mar 2, 2011
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  3. Twism86

    Twism86 Notebook Consultant

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    Good point. I can test them both before permanently installing one. I will most likely put 2gb in which ever netbook i get.
     
    Twism86, Mar 2, 2011
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  4. mr_raider

    mr_raider Notebook Consultant

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    The netbook edition and desktop edition will be one and the same for x86 architecture as of April. The desktop edition will be using the UNR Unity interface as default. The question will therefore be moot.
     
    mr_raider, Mar 3, 2011
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  5. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    I'm using an MSI Wind Netbook lately, and put Puppeee Linux which is optimized for netbooks. It's quick, pretty decent..it's a Puppeee variant, and the most popular for Netbooks within the Puppy Community....FWIW
     
    theZoid, Mar 3, 2011
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  6. v1k1ng1001

    v1k1ng1001 Notebook Deity

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    10.10 netbook edition really stinks in my opinion. 10.04 netbook edition is what I use.

    But really, you can install Ubuntu, install multiple desktops. So really 'buntu will allow you to session into Gnome, KDE, UNR, XFCE, LXCE, Openbox Icewm, etc, etc, as long as you install them.
     
    v1k1ng1001, Mar 4, 2011
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  7. Twism86

    Twism86 Notebook Consultant

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    I honestly dont know that much. All i ive heard of in Linux is Ubuntu and mint. Im a total newb. I just want to install one OS and never change it again. I dont want viruses and windows crap ware
     
    Twism86, Mar 4, 2011
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  8. mr_raider

    mr_raider Notebook Consultant

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    Install the current version of Mint (Julia). It's easy enough to work with, and come looking clean out of the box.
     
    mr_raider, Mar 5, 2011
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  9. Twism86

    Twism86 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks, i guess i can always try various Linux versions from a flash drive until i find one i like.
     
    Twism86, Mar 6, 2011
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  10. jheronimus

    jheronimus Notebook Enthusiast

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    You should understand that Netbook edition isn't really different from the Desktop. It just has a different shell, but all the apps are the same and there won't be any difference in performance.

    Meego is actually pretty usable last I've tried. Fast and nice. But it doesn't have any additional apps (only the default set) and you should use some tricks to install codecs and Skype. But it's actually worth it for a netbook
     
    jheronimus, Mar 6, 2011
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  11. Hemi

    Hemi Notebook Consultant

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    I didn't care for the netbook version when I used it
     
    Hemi, Mar 6, 2011
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  12. KnightZero

    KnightZero Notebook Consultant

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    For the N455, I would steer clear of Ubuntu. I tried 10.04 and 10.10 on my Cr-48 as an experiment, both performed sufficiently for use, but they didn't even come near my ancient X41 performance-wise.

    Just as a heads up, you shouldn't fear running Ubuntu on your main system. If you have the hard drive space, using either Wubi to boot it, or simply letting the Ubuntu installer partition your system, is quite safe. I installed it to my X201 when it arrived, took about 10 minutes total from thumbdrive, and it coexists happily with the default Windows 7 install. I understand the concern about installing a Linux OS alongside Windows - I can tell you horror stories from my RH5 days, but Ubuntu's installer makes the partition resizing quite simple. I've installed a second boot partition to no less than a dozen machines, and since 9.04, Ubuntu has never screwed up the windows partition in the process.
     
    KnightZero, Mar 7, 2011
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  13. Twism86

    Twism86 Notebook Consultant

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    Is there a version of Linux that works well with the N455? Im also looking at N550 netbooks also.
     
    Twism86, Mar 7, 2011
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  14. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    I have the netbook interface installed as an alternative UI to my 10.10 install. All it takes is a reboot. You can download it from the... what do you call it.... the Ubuntu App Store :)
     
    ral, Mar 8, 2011
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  15. naticus

    naticus Notebook Deity

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    Make sure if you do run the Netbook version, Unity 2D QT is the PPA you want to get -- it is much faster and lighter than its 3D counterpart-- making it much more suitied for netbooks.


    Install Unity 2D (Qt) in Ubuntu 10.10:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:unity-2d-team/unity-2d-daily
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install unity-2d-default-settings
    sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

    How To Install Unity 2D (Qt) In Ubuntu From A PPA ~ Web Upd8: Ubuntu / Linux blog
     
    naticus, Mar 8, 2011
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  16. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    I switched to Mint 9 LTS Fluxbox on my netbook....makes life very simple....Puppy is a hackers dream however.....both are great.
     
    theZoid, Mar 9, 2011
    #16