I bought a laptop last week and unfortunately it is a PC. I'm looking for a Linux Distro to use instead of Vista; therefore wondering which Distro do you prefer and why?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Which Linux distro do you use?
- Thread starter crispygoat
- Start date
I've used Suse and Red Hat with no problems in the past.
But I'm using a Mac now... Used to have a Linux box running 24/7 as a web server and for basic stuff like browsing and word processing... but I always had a second computer when I was running Linux.
But I'm using a Mac now... Used to have a Linux box running 24/7 as a web server and for basic stuff like browsing and word processing... but I always had a second computer when I was running Linux.
Agree with Ubuntu for the good user base.
The 9+ versions bug out with the integrated graphics accelerator on most laptops (well, they disabled it cos of a very rare bug which has not plagued me yet) so sticking to version 8.04 should do you well, at least until version 10 comes out. I'm using 8.04 right now.
Moving to Chrome OS if and when it comes out.
The 9+ versions bug out with the integrated graphics accelerator on most laptops (well, they disabled it cos of a very rare bug which has not plagued me yet) so sticking to version 8.04 should do you well, at least until version 10 comes out. I'm using 8.04 right now.
Moving to Chrome OS if and when it comes out.
Ubuntu works out of the box and has a huge and friendly community. If you want a running system that's maintainable for non geeks get this one. Even my mother uses it 
I use Gentoo as 64 Bit distro and Ubuntu if I need 32 Bit support. Gentoo is pretty difficult to install but after a successful installation you know better how Linux works inside. I wouldn't recommend it to users that just want to replace Wincrap.
/edit to clarify, of course there is also an Ubuntu 64.
I use Gentoo as 64 Bit distro and Ubuntu if I need 32 Bit support. Gentoo is pretty difficult to install but after a successful installation you know better how Linux works inside. I wouldn't recommend it to users that just want to replace Wincrap.
/edit to clarify, of course there is also an Ubuntu 64.
Linux Mint is a great little distro, based off the 9.04 version of Ubuntu. Ubuntu has always been praised as a very user friendly version of linux, and in my opinion Mint is a very user friendly version of Ubuntu, great for someone not used to the linux world. This is the distro I use on all my computers, laptops and desktops, that way anyone who drops by and sees it can know linux is not the horrible monster some people believe it to be.
Ubuntu is also a safe bet, OpenSuSE as well. If you're not very familiar with linux I'd say avoid Fedora or Red Hat as they have not been geared towards ease of use like the others I mentioned.
If you want to be a bit more unconventional, PCLinuxOS is decent, as is CentOS.
Ubuntu is also a safe bet, OpenSuSE as well. If you're not very familiar with linux I'd say avoid Fedora or Red Hat as they have not been geared towards ease of use like the others I mentioned.
If you want to be a bit more unconventional, PCLinuxOS is decent, as is CentOS.
.
I've used Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE GUI). I like it, but I have nothing to compare it to as I've never really tinkered with any other distros.
I'm not new to Linux, I've just been using Mac for a while. I like the GNOME interface better than KDE but not sure between OpensSuse or Linux Mint.
Ubuntu is the only version of linux I've ever used, but it was really easy to get going and has just about everything you need included.
The repositories make it easy to dl and install tons more software and the ubuntu support forums are great.
The repositories make it easy to dl and install tons more software and the ubuntu support forums are great.
.
Mint has the support of the Ubuntu repositories (which are nothing short of staggering), and IMHO it's a much prettier shade of green.
Oh, and Mint's latest release is also named Gloria. What more could you ask for?
I've been using Ubuntu for years. The only issue can be with newer hardware, especially laptops. It can take Ubuntu, or any Linux, a while to catch up with the newest hardware. New network and graphics cards are the usual suspects.
If your model laptop has been out for awhile you should be fine. As EHQUE mentioned, going back to an earlier Ubuntu release usually solves the problem until the device is supported.
If your model laptop has been out for awhile you should be fine. As EHQUE mentioned, going back to an earlier Ubuntu release usually solves the problem until the device is supported.
