Linux flavor for netbook?

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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
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Have windows 7 running well on my netbook (msi wind), but am looking for a "I'm completely bored and will try something new" project - install a linux dual boot! I don't want to become a linux expert, but something that boots faster than windows and is slick would be fun.

I'm looking for something bright and airy with some visual flair, but still fast and reliable..


Tried:
Unbuntu - default theme felt clunky and dark, didn't care enough to get really involved with skinning.. Tried it a year ago, maybe it's more

Moblin - very slick interface, but had performance issues... Prettiest OS I've used in a while...I did find the layout a little too revolutionary - i.e. everything was tabbed, which was a little annoying

Any other suggestions?
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,962
11,294
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freedomsbeat212 said:
Cool! Which of the two would you say is the most idiot friendly? I'm not exactly an idiot but spending hours on tracking down shell instructions is something I'm not good at.. ok, I am an idiot :)
Click to expand...

They're both the same really. They're just Ubuntu with KDE as the desktop environment(Kubuntu), or Ubuntu with an altered gui, and some additional codecs builtin(Mint). If you can use Ubuntu, either of them will be second nature.

If you can wait until the end of the month, the new Ubuntu will be out. They're using a lighter color scheme, but it isn't to my preference. I like the old brown and orange, and I tend to like dark earthy themes more than bright and airy.

Mandriva isn't bad either, but it's not my favorite. It would certainly be worth a try. Sticking with an Debian/Ubuntu base will get you more community support due to the large number of users.
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Idiot friendly is Mint and Mandriva. i'm a linux idiot, and they both almost make sense to me. I'd try Mint first.
 
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Mr. Pedantic

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2010
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76
If you hated Ubuntu's interface, you probably won't like Kubuntu's either; they're pretty similar, except Kubuntu has more bells and whistles and takes up even more resources. I would go with something a lot simpler using something like xfce.
 
KeypoX

KeypoX

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2003
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S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
KeypoX said:
ubuntu has changed, 10.04 RC comes out in a week. Here is a pic http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2010/03/ubuntu-dumps-the-brown-introduces-new-theme.ars

I think they maybe moving the buttons back to the right, or already have.
Click to expand...

That may be worth waiting for, but ubuntu always felt kinda dated to me, default configuration of course. The menus and bars all reminded me of AOL 2.0 on windows 3.1 - I can't put my finger on why, but it never felt like a modern OS, the way os-x and now win7 feel fresh. Of course, it's a personal preference thing..

Mint and mandriva are downloading now, look forward to give them a try! Moblin was oddly beautiful, but I wish it didn't feel like a tabbed browser with links instead of an OS.
 
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tatteredpotato

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2006
3,934
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I would give the Ubuntu Netbook Remix... it's UI is designed for netbooks however that can sometimes be a bad thing.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,962
11,294
126
ObscureCaucasian said:
I would give the Ubuntu Netbook Remix... it's UI is designed for netbooks however that can sometimes be a bad thing.
Click to expand...

I didn't care for the remix. It's a beutiful interface, and very slick, but I found it a bit limiting. I prefer the traditional desktop/taskbar style interface.
 
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