Want to install Apple OS or Linux on a Centrino laptop, need advise

[inhotep]

hi all,

I'm sick of the MS OS, to make the long story short, MS has issues.
I want to install Linux or Apple OS (if Apple makes an OS that runs on x86 plateforms or good emulators) on my centrino laptop.
Few concerns I have: is Linux compatible with the intel Centrino package? Is Apple OS compatible with the Centrino package?
I'm affraid that the intel wireless and the power saving features that comes with Centrino will not be fully utilized or not untilized at all.
Support 4 in 1 flash card reader?
Wireless support is a must.

hAS anyone installed Apple or Linux on their laptop on your x86? if so, any issues?

Oh, Linux and Apple can run MS apps such as MS word, outlook right? I know Office star is pretty good and it only cost 25 bucks. Not sure what Apples has to offer.

Thanks for your input.



Laptop: Gateway 4520gz: 1.5ghz P-M (705) 400mhz fbs (runs at 600mhz on battery) , 2X256 PC2700, Intel extream crap 32 meg shared graphics, 60 gig 4200rpm ultra ata, centrino package (GM chipset), realtek audio, PC card, SD, SM, memory stick+MSpro reader (4 in 1), 4 use2.0 and 1 firewire.

Desktop: MSI 845PE mobo, P4 2.4b, 1 gig PC2700, 30 gig 7200 rpm WD-HD, ATI 9800 pro 128meg, SB live 5.1.

PDA: Casio E-125 AKA the brick, 150 mhz something @ 170mhz 😛, 32 meg pc100, CF slot.

 

[spherrod]

Apple OS won't work - you could emulate it with PearPC or CherryOS but I don't think anyone would recommend it. You're going to have to go for Linux if you're dead set agains Microsoft.

Linux can't run Microsoft Office (although you could emulate it via WINE) but Openoffice is a very good, compatible alternative. I would try either Mandrake Linux or Fedora Core 2 but as to whether the full functionality of the laptop will be supported I couldn't say. Personally I would use XP on that laptop, nothing against Linux at all (I use it as an Unreal Tournament Server) but I can't see how a correctly configured XP install would give any issues on your hardware

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: spherrod
Apple OS won't work - you could emulate it with PearPC or CherryOS but I don't think anyone would recommend it. You're going to have to go for Linux if you're dead set agains Microsoft.

Linux can't run Microsoft Office (although you could emulate it via WINE) but Openoffice is a very good, compatible alternative. I would try either Mandrake Linux or Fedora Core 2 but as to whether the full functionality of the laptop will be supported I couldn't say. Personally I would use XP on that laptop, nothing against Linux at all (I use it as an Unreal Tournament Server) but I can't see how a correctly configured XP install would give any issues on your hardware

There is no emulation necessary for Microsoft office.

Linux should be able to handle most of the hardware just fine.

 

[drag]

Remember Wine isn't emulation. It's actually a Win32 API for Linux. 😉 (although it's not anywere near 100% compatable with Window's stuff.)

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: spherrod
Apple OS won't work - you could emulate it with PearPC or CherryOS but I don't think anyone would recommend it. You're going to have to go for Linux if you're dead set agains Microsoft.

Linux can't run Microsoft Office (although you could emulate it via WINE) but Openoffice is a very good, compatible alternative. I would try either Mandrake Linux or Fedora Core 2 but as to whether the full functionality of the laptop will be supported I couldn't say. Personally I would use XP on that laptop, nothing against Linux at all (I use it as an Unreal Tournament Server) but I can't see how a correctly configured XP install would give any issues on your hardware

There is no emulation necessary for Microsoft office.

Linux should be able to handle most of the hardware just fine.

How would you get Office running on Linux then? I'll confess I've never tried...

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: spherrod
Apple OS won't work - you could emulate it with PearPC or CherryOS but I don't think anyone would recommend it. You're going to have to go for Linux if you're dead set agains Microsoft.

Linux can't run Microsoft Office (although you could emulate it via WINE) but Openoffice is a very good, compatible alternative. I would try either Mandrake Linux or Fedora Core 2 but as to whether the full functionality of the laptop will be supported I couldn't say. Personally I would use XP on that laptop, nothing against Linux at all (I use it as an Unreal Tournament Server) but I can't see how a correctly configured XP install would give any issues on your hardware

There is no emulation necessary for Microsoft office.

Linux should be able to handle most of the hardware just fine.

How would you get Office running on Linux then? I'll confess I've never tried...

There is a commercial product called "crossover office" that can be used to run MS Office 2000 on linux.

from here

CrossOver Office

CrossOver Office CrossOver Office - Our flagship Linux desktop productivity tool. Allows you to run many popular office productivity software applications, such as Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Project and Visio, graphics applications like Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, Flash MX, and Adobe Photoshop, and many more. Not only that, but CrossOver Office also allows you to use many Windows Web browser plugins, such as QuickTime and Shockwave, directly on your Linux browser. No Windows Operating System license required; CrossOver is a complete replacement for your Windows OS as far as your applications are concerned.

be sure that you don't use it to get Windows programs that already run using Wine. (dreamweaver, photoshop, poser, quicken, etc etc)

it's not easy, but this guy has good tips on various apps.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: drag

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: spherrod
Apple OS won't work - you could emulate it with PearPC or CherryOS but I don't think anyone would recommend it. You're going to have to go for Linux if you're dead set agains Microsoft.

Linux can't run Microsoft Office (although you could emulate it via WINE) but Openoffice is a very good, compatible alternative. I would try either Mandrake Linux or Fedora Core 2 but as to whether the full functionality of the laptop will be supported I couldn't say. Personally I would use XP on that laptop, nothing against Linux at all (I use it as an Unreal Tournament Server) but I can't see how a correctly configured XP install would give any issues on your hardware

There is no emulation necessary for Microsoft office.

Linux should be able to handle most of the hardware just fine.

How would you get Office running on Linux then? I'll confess I've never tried...

There is a commercial product called "crossover office" that can be used to run MS Office 2000 on linux.

from here

CrossOver Office

CrossOver Office CrossOver Office - Our flagship Linux desktop productivity tool. Allows you to run many popular office productivity software applications, such as Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Project and Visio, graphics applications like Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, Flash MX, and Adobe Photoshop, and many more. Not only that, but CrossOver Office also allows you to use many Windows Web browser plugins, such as QuickTime and Shockwave, directly on your Linux browser. No Windows Operating System license required; CrossOver is a complete replacement for your Windows OS as far as your applications are concerned.

be sure that you don't use it to get Windows programs that already run using Wine. (dreamweaver, photoshop, poser, quicken, etc etc)

it's not easy, but this guy has good tips on various apps.

Great info - thanks for the post!