which version of ubuntu to install?

Hey guys.

I think im gonna dive in tonight and try to install ubuntu on my computer. But Im not sure which version is the best one: should i dl the x86 one or the amd 64 version?

Here are the specs on my computer:
hp dv6500t notebook computer
intel core 2 duo t7300 2.0 ghz
2 gb ram
200 gb hd (of which 15 is "free" for me to install ubuntu on)
nvidia geforce 8400M GS
intel pro wireless 4965N wireless card

I think my system is 64 bit capable (though vista is 32 bit..?), so which one would be the best to install? I don't know much about ubuntu, so I would like whatever would be easiest to work with, but at the same time run the best. Also, with my specs, whats the optimal way to partition the 15 gb free space (like 5 gb /, 1 gb swap, and rest for /home?)

THANKS!

 

I am a noob when it comes to Linux but I like Linux Mint.
It is Ubuntu with modifications to make it user friendly to noobs like me.

From DistroWatch.com:

My three favorite things about Linux Mint:
1. Media plays without having to install anything like codecs.
2. This is the only Linux OS that I have EVER used that actually found my wireless device and it worked without me having to ANYTHING. When it first started up, networks were available without having to run any wizards or setup programs.
3. I don't have to understand or think about things like mounting drives. It is done automatically for me like in Windows XP and OsX.

Try Linux MInt 3.1. It is stable. You can find more info here:
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint

As for 32-bit vs 64-bit, I always ignore 64-bit stuff to avoid headaches.

 

You have an Intel architecture, not an AMD.
You can choose between x86 32 bit and x86 64 bit.
I chose the 32 bit version. The 64 bit versions have frewer drivers ready. Or so it seemed to me.

I let the more knowledgeable to speak, though.

 

I think amd64 just means 64bit, irregardless of processor brand.

well, at least that's the image name I got from ubuntu's webpage when I tried to download for intel based 64bit.

 

Not quite. AMD's implementation of "64-bit" is not truly 64-bit, but it is much closer to the real thing than Intel's EMT64 or whatever it's called.

 

To clarify, amd64 is AMD's implementation of a 64-bit x86 architecture, and it is called amd64 to distinguish it from Intel's Itanium, also a 64-bit architecture. The two (amd64 and Itanium) are incompatible. amd64 is backwards compatible with 32-bit x86.

The Intel Core 2 Duos and later use the amd64, not Itanium.

Back to your question, most comparisons that I have seen between 64-bit and 32-bit x86 shows that there is little difference in performance under 'general computing' loads. Scientific computing and other large memory uses (>4GB) or specialized data processing applications can benefit from 64-bit quite a bit.

Currently, the state of amd64 for Linux LAGS that of 32-bit x86. In particular, the 32-bit version of the kernel has better power support features (tickless kernel for example). amd64 is catching up in features, and soon amd64 and 32-bit x86 will be merged into a single code-base, so they should share all the same features, but for now, 32-bit x86 is better supported.

From an 'easy-to-use' perspective, 64-bit versions of a number of binary only SW packages are not available. The big one that everyone knows is 64-bit flash player for your web-browser. Now since amd64 is backward compatible with 32-bit x86, you can run the 32-bit flash player, but you need to jump through some hoops (though I think Ubuntu makes it quite easy). And then the question is, why run 64-bit when your apps are 32-bit?

So from a total 'general user experience' perspective, 32-bit x86 may be a better choice for now. In the future, once the kernel catches up and once 64-bit versions of all our favorite binary applications are available, that will likely change.

 

yah, if your new to linux it will be that much easier to use 32 bit instead of 64. Im currently thinking of changing my 64bit ubuntu system to a 32bit because im having a hard time with some of the programs, like limewire, and some of the plugins for songbird and stuff. I really see no performance boost from 32bit (which i had on my old machine) to 64bit that i have now, so i might as well have the programs i like work well.

 

I would also agree with everyone else. Do not use the 64 bit version.

As far as everything else goes. I am using Ubuntu Gutsy and am barely using 5gb in the root so I would say put maybe 6gb in / just to be safe.

the Swap is really only used to hibernate. I didn't put enough in mine, i forgot if i gave it 512 or 1gb but it wasn't enough to hibernate so be careful about that.

And put the rest in /home.

 

I installed ubuntu 32 and ubuntu 64 in a acer athlon 64 x 2 tk-53 1.7 GHz

With ubuntu 32 it was difficult to installed the driver for the Nvidia, it suppose to be easy for ubuntu has a feature to install drivers but it took me many hours to do it. I think this laptop dont like linux for I tried pclinux,mepis,wolvix and many other which did not installed, only ubuntu and sabayon, I founded out is becouse the kernel, this laptop needs the newest kernel.
sound did not worked, I had to google to solve the sound.

Ubunto 64 was easy to install the graphic card(Nvidia), so easy,and the sound worked out of the box.

I noted that ubuntu32 handled compiz very smooth, ubuntu 64 did not.
Also after installed ubuntu 64 windows vista stop working.

In my opinion once I know how to install linux ubuntu without messin with the vista and acer bootloader I will stay with ubuntu32.

 

did you install the GRUB boot loader? did you partition your hard drive (properly)? those are the two things i can think of that would have messed up vista.

 

i would go with ubuntu 7.10 (gutsy gibbon)
it works perfectly on my dv9500t

 

if u dont want to have not big problems instaling ubuntu when u have vista try wubi ( http://wubi-installer.org/)
When u are using vista u see the ubuntu like a folder and to unistall go to add/remove programs

 

i have a dv6500t intel core 2 duo and 2.4 ghz nvidia 8400m gs. i installed gutsy and i am having a blast with it. everything is working perfectly. all the drivers are right there for you! best OS ive used! screw macs... its nothing compared to linux!