Which distro for a netbook?

[SueEllen]

Oh god, I ended up looking at that when I was trying to get Ubuntu working on my desktop machine a couple of years ago. It was enough to send me running back to Windows for life.

The flavours of Linux installation processes have got better over the years.

I've had no problems installing Ubuntu and SUSE on my machines. There as Fedora tends to break everything now and again as it's experimental.

Then again I have the advantage that I know that some distros won't work with some hardware particularly graphics cards and network cards, so check them out before installing.

[Durbs]

Oh god, I ended up looking at that when I was trying to get Ubuntu working on my desktop machine a couple of years ago. It was enough to send me running back to Windows for life.

And then theres the realisation once you actually get one of the billion semi-functional distros running that Linux is just a bit rubbish anyway as a desktop platform.

I remember that when i bought my first Netbook, they all came with a Linux distro and i'd say 99% of owners enjoyed that fully functional copy of Linux for a couple of days max before reaching for the Windows discs.

If its for a silver surfer (by which i assume you mean an old'un) I'd steer them well clear of Linux unless you want to be helping them out endlessly when the intrawebs start telling them to type sudo bash into little black boxes and their new printer/scanner/usb key etc etc doesn't 'just work'.

[realityhack]

It does goad me that we're faced with such limited choice.

Windows, in it's many flavours, both horrific and vaguely acceptable, high maintenance for those less IT literate, potentially risky even.

Mac - which would be acceptable, but is out-of-reach to many who can't afford the hardware - and who'd like the software, but lack the expertise to make a 'hackintosh'.

And gadzillions of flavours of Linux, most (if not all) lacking a completeness, as Durbs said. Which are a total PITA for normal human beings in many ways.

Surely there's a massive gap in the market for a reasonably priced, secure, elegant operating system with the usability of the Mac, the universality of Win, and the security and stability of a robust 'nix system.

I'm just ranting, there are some interesting OSes coming out with tablets and small form factor devices... but I felt it worth a rant, if only considering the non-expert POV.

[Durbs]

Mac - which would be acceptable, but is out-of-reach to many who can't afford the hardware - and who'd like the software, but lack the expertise to make a 'hackintosh'.

Yeah, even though Apple now sport a number of 'entry level' macbooks and airs, they are still way overpriced. Tried to recommend a Macbook to the in laws recently as they were in the marked for a laptop but once they saw the price they asked why Currys/Argos are advertising laptops at £329 and this one was 2.5 x the price. Had to admit they certainly wouldn't get 2.5x the functionality so they nipped to Currys. Shame as OSX would have suited them down to the ground. Apple need to produce at least one entry level machine for the masses as much as the Apple fanboys would hate that to happen. Guess the iPad & IPhone are luring enough of the right customers in though.

Windows 7 though, I personally love it, slick, fast and never had any bother with it at all.

Tried to like Linux but............just dont.

[Bunk]

Apple need to produce at least one entry level machine for the masses as much as the Apple fanboys would hate that to happen

They don't need to though. Just as Armani don't make cheap suits and Rolex don't make cheap watches, it's part of Apple's marketing plan to keep prices high to create an artificial sense of quality and exclusivity.

[DaveB]

They don't need to though. Just as Armani don't make cheap suits and Rolex don't make cheap watches, it's part of Apple's marketing plan to keep prices high to create an artificial sense of quality and exclusivity.

WBS. And those who take the plunge and splash out for one are generally hooked for life.

I bought my iMac 4 years ago now and it's not given me a single problem in that time. I press the button and 10 sec later I'm doing something productive (as long as I don't need to start any MS software anyway). When I do finally replace it, which wont be for a while yet, it will be for another Mac.

[Durbs]

They don't need to though. Just as Armani don't make cheap suits and Rolex don't make cheap watches, it's part of Apple's marketing plan to keep prices high to create an artificial sense of quality and exclusivity.

Aye, thats the case. Shame though as it was buying a Mini that got me into Macs and back then they were (vaguely) decent value for money. Seems to have gone right back up in price though and the new Mini is the price of a fast PC gaming desktop.

Because I got the Mini, found I liked it and as a spinoff started developing in XCode, Apple ended up with cash off me for an iPhone, iPad and Macbook Pro as well. So it does pay to allow at least one entry point worth taking a punt on.

[realityhack]

Totally agree with you both on that - the adage buy cheap, buy twice (or more) does have merit - but for the vast majority of the population, who won't know (or sufficiently care) what you get for the money, who just want a computer to perform relatively trivial tasks for home use - easily, securely, reliably and to a budget... For those people they need that middle ground.

Apple should release and promote an OS for the general PC market and leverage relationships with distributors... or go the Technics/Panasonic route of creating a sister brand that is pitched more clearly at the lower market. The macbook/macbook pro consumer/pro distinction they currently have - even with the mini - isn't enough.

Perhaps they should call it 'Pear', Apples & Pears. You get the picture.

[Sysman]

Aye, thats the case. Shame though as it was buying a Mini that got me into Macs and back then they were (vaguely) decent value for money. Seems to have gone right back up in price though and the new Mini is the price of a fast PC gaming desktop.

Because I got the Mini, found I liked it and as a spinoff started developing in XCode, Apple ended up with cash off me for an iPhone, iPad and Macbook Pro as well. So it does pay to allow at least one entry point worth taking a punt on.

Yep. I nearly bought a Mini last summer, but the new model had leapt in price just that bit too much.

[DaveB]

Totally agree with you both on that - the adage buy cheap, buy twice (or more) does have merit - but for the vast majority of the population, who won't know (or sufficiently care) what you get for the money, who just want a computer to perform relatively trivial tasks for home use - easily, securely, reliably and to a budget... For those people they need that middle ground.

Apple should release and promote an OS for the general PC market and leverage relationships with distributors... or go the Technics/Panasonic route of creating a sister brand that is pitched more clearly at the lower market. The macbook/macbook pro consumer/pro distinction they currently have - even with the mini - isn't enough.

Perhaps they should call it 'Pear', Apples & Pears. You get the picture.

They'll never release the OS as a stand alone. The reason Mac OS is as stable and reliable as it is, is largely due to the fact that they have complete control over the hardware it runs on. As soon as you open it up to any old Intel box they will end up where MS are trying to support every peripheral and option under the sun and all the problems that brings with it.

Agree with you on the entry level consumer product though, although to get the price down I suspect they risk damaging their reputation for build quality. Cant see them using an all in one aluminium chassis etc on a cheapo device.