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View Full Version : [all variants] Netbook Style OS for Desktop?



skelsay
September 15th, 2009, 06:00 PM
I am looking for a netbook style OS replacement for one of my older desktops. (PIII 700mhz 512MB RAM) I have used a friend's eeebuntu netbook and really like the simplicity. I am building this for a friend that needs very basic computing needs.

Are there any eeebuntu style of distributions that can be installed on a standard x86 platform?

Thank You

stlsaint
September 15th, 2009, 06:38 PM
Well the ubuntu netbook os'es are made just for that...the netbook...ie UNR! I recommend sticking to a desktop distro instead of going for a netbook os on a desktop. ubuntu desktop will give you all the somplicty you need to run and its made to be functioned on the desktop. But thats my humble opinion. If you really are set on your question than check DistroWatch (http://distrowatch.com/) to see what is more taliored towards your needs.

CoolHand
September 15th, 2009, 08:08 PM
Maybe you should check out this thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1155961

It shows a quick way to install using the minimal edition and then add only the apps you need. That way you end up with a faster machine without any un-needed apps.

skelsay
September 15th, 2009, 10:52 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.

I guess my question is more geared towards the "style" in the netbooks, rather than the fact they are packaged with the specific support for the netbooks.

My friend had the chance to use a couple of netbooks, and was impressed at the ease of use for a beginner, and more of the experience than anything. Much like a PDA, or Iphone has very little configuration and limits how much trouble you can get into.

Looking for that kind of package to recycle good hardware without the actual need for a mobile computer.

Kind of like the older windows 98 Compaq "Kiosk" computers.

skelsay
September 15th, 2009, 11:21 PM
Got to thinking. Maybe it is the app launcher that is the basis for the "experience."

Any desktop distributions that have cool app launcher's standard?

raymondh
September 15th, 2009, 11:46 PM
My MSI wind netbook runs 8.10 with AWN ... preferring the regular ubuntu to UNR.

Check the liveCD and make sure it (your older computer) runs well with your preferred distro. On older systems, I have gotten to like crunchbang linux (an ubuntu-derivative) using openbox.

Another option (if 8.04, 8.10 or 9.04 work for you) is to install the server version and add apps as you need (i.e. build from there)

Good luck. Enjoy the experience.

Ms_Angel_D
September 15th, 2009, 11:53 PM
It would be nice to have a desktop style similar to UNR on a desktop.

snowpine
September 16th, 2009, 03:08 PM
You can install Ubuntu Netbook Remix on your desktop:

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook

Ignore the part about "requires an Atom processor"--that's a typo. ;)

If that ends up being too slow for you (let's face it, even a basic $299 netbook blows away your old pentium 3!) you can try one of the fancy "puplets" based on puppy linux: http://puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets

presence1960
September 16th, 2009, 03:28 PM
http://sites.google.com/site/masonux/home

here is a link to a lightweight Linux OS based on Ubuntu 9.04. I have installedit to see how it works and it is very good. A forum member earthpigg is involved in this.

I highly recommend it for machines with not so powerful specs.