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Thread: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

  1. #1
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    Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    Hi,

    I'm running Ubuntu 12.04 on my Dell D830 laptop. The laptop has 2gb RAM 1.8 ghz CPU and nvidia quadro nvs 140m. I feel that 12.04 is a bit slow and gets even slower after three or more programs is running. I have noticed that Win XP had better performance with Blender than Ubuntu 12.04. Although I was using 2.59 blender in xp and the latest version of blender in ubuntu. But can these two versions have such a big difference that the latest Blender is much more heavier.

    Is it normal to have not smooth performance of 12.04 with my laptop? Will the experience improve significally if I upgrade my RAM to 4 gb or even 8 gb? What is the max RAM amount in 12.04 32bit anyway?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    [Vanilla] Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is a good version of Ubuntu, but it needs a lot of horsepower, that is not available in aging computers.

    But the computer would do well with 12.04 and a lighter desktop environment. I suggest that you download the iso files and test them from a CD or USB drive (boot a live session without installing it). And when you see how it works, decide what to install.

    Xubuntu with the light desktop environment XFCE
    Lubuntu with the ultra-light desktop environment LXDE

  3. #3
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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    I recommend Lubuntu, that's what I'm running on my 9-year-old and 7-year-old PC's.
    I believe the 32-bit OS's are limited to 4 GB or RAM, although your specific hardware may have lower maximum limits.

  4. #4
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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    The max memory in the D830 is 4GB.

  5. #5
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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    Thanks!

    So would I be seeing major improvement with OS performance if I would upgrade to 4gb RAM? Or will my processor be the bottle's neck in this situation?

    I need wacom setup interface which Xubuntu and Lubuntu don't have. That is why I don't like those two OS'.

    On my D830 Kubuntu was running pretty smoothly btw.

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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    Quote Originally Posted by KozaG View Post
    Thanks!

    So would I be seeing major improvement with OS performance if I would upgrade to 4gb RAM? Or will my processor be the bottle's neck in this situation?
    I think you'll do well with 2 GB of RAM, at least with [LX]ubuntu.
    I need wacom setup interface which Xubuntu and Lubuntu don't have. That is why I don't like those two OS'.
    I have a Wacom Bamboo device, and it works out of the box in my Lubuntu 12.04 with xubuntu-desktop (in an old IBM Thinkpad T41).
    On my D830 Kubuntu was running pretty smoothly btw.
    Which version of Kubuntu (10.04 ...)?
    Last edited by sudodus; January 10th, 2013 at 09:27 AM. Reason: Wacom works with Lubuntu 12.04 + xubuntu-desktop

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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    It was Kubuntu 12.04 32bit.

    Xubuntu and Lubuntu don't have graphical interface to setup the key binding for my Intuos 4 tablet and the interface is something that I need. Also if you plug in some device to a computer and only 50% of it works as it should I wouldn't call it "working out of the box". I'm talking here about the LEDs and the middle button which when pressing changes the touch circle mode.

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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    Quote Originally Posted by KozaG View Post
    It was Kubuntu 12.04 32bit.

    Xubuntu and Lubuntu don't have graphical interface to setup the key binding for my Intuos 4 tablet and the interface is something that I need. Also if you plug in some device to a computer and only 50% of it works as it should I wouldn't call it "working out of the box". I'm talking here about the LEDs and the middle button which when pressing changes the touch circle mode.
    Well, I have another and cheaper Wacom device. I can understand that yours needs tweaking to make everything work properly.

    If Kubuntu 12.04 works well, I think [vanilla] Ubuntu 12.04 will work well too, they need about the same horsepower and memory to work well.

    So use a flavour that works with your hardware. If you want faster graphics, for example to show high definition video, you can install light-weight desktop environments into your present Kubuntu version and select desktop at the log in screen before logging in

    Code:
    sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop
    sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
    or install only LXDE and/or XFCE.

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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    Quote Originally Posted by KozaG View Post
    I feel that 12.04 is a bit slow and gets even slower after three or more programs is running. I have noticed that Win XP had better performance with Blender than Ubuntu 12.04
    Back to the original question!

    I think that Ubuntu's default desktop Unity as well as Kubuntu's KDE need a lot of RAM, so if you run many or big tasks, it is a good idea to increase the RAM. You will notice the difference, if you double the RAM to 4 GB.

  10. #10
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    Re: Is Dell Latitude D830 hardware too weak for Ubuntu 12.04

    I would look at the CPU temp when running a bunch of programs. If it's getting too hot, it will throttle the clock speed to prevent damage (and eventually it will shut the system down if temps continue to rise).
    It's possible your laptop needs a good internal dusting.

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