Ubuntu full or netbook edition for desktop replacement laptop?

[taltamir]

I have an old, slow, big and heavy (nearly 9 lbs) laptop...
Which sports a full sized 939 socket with an athlon64 2ghz... its one of the first ever 64bit laptops (which is specifically why I got it back all those years ago).

Anyways, I wish to try running ubuntu on it. Should I get the full or the netbook edition? I am not quite sure what exactly is in the netbook edition. Is it just for screen resolution? do I want it on any laptop?

Also, it seems the thermals worsened over the years, I have done what I can hardware-wise (I swapped the CPU to the latest version that particular model supports, two nodes newer and much better thermals), its stable but its LOUD... that is, its loud unless its cool (fan is dynamic... it was loud the day I got it too). My solution was to get crystal CPUID and underclock and undervolt the hell out of the CPU (with dynamic switching)... Is there something similar I could use in ubuntu?

 

[lxskllr]

Netbook edition's basically Ubuntu with a different interface that allegedly works better for small screens. It looks very nice, but I don't think the usability's as good as the standard desktop which I prefer. Try them both to see what you think.

There's overclocking utilities for the Eee, but I don't know about other computers.

 

[taltamir]

thank you for clarifying about the different versions. I read some about it and they mentioned boot time optimizations for faster bootup, programs optimized so you can just get on the net quicker, and specific optimizations to be faster with intel atom... what about those?
Would the intel atom optimizations reduce performance on an AMD machine, for example?

The beauty of crystal CPUID is that it dynamically underclocks and undervolts AMD (works via cool'n'quiet) CPUs based on measured CPU usage (to presets I created and vetted of course). So its a real shame to lose that. (I get some really nice battery out of it). Now that I think about it, it will be noiser, worse battery life, and hotter without it. So thats a real shame... I just sort of assumed linux will have those kind of power tools.

 

[Zap]

You could also try to "assist" the cooling by removing or cutting out grills for intake and exhaust to reduce restriction, plus prop up the notebook to allow more air underneath it. You can buy a notebook stand for it but I've found good results with just making do with whatever is available. I used to use an eyeglass case. More recently I've made my own stand using a short piece of angle aluminum. It makes a difference.

 

[lxskllr]

thank you for clarifying about the different versions. I read some about it and they mentioned boot time optimizations for faster bootup, programs optimized so you can just get on the net quicker, and specific optimizations to be faster with intel atom... what about those?
Would the intel atom optimizations reduce performance on an AMD machine, for example?

Hmm... Maybe my information's old. I didn't know they made hardware tweaks. I'm not sure about your question tbh. The only way to really tell would be to try both and see if there's any difference. 10.04 Ubuntu's pretty fast as is. I've been very pleased with the upgrade.

For your overclocking utility, you may have better luck asking in the nix software subforum. I tend to doubt the Linux version(if one exists) will be as easy to use as crystal. It's hard to say though. I've never really looked into it.