Installing Ubuntu on an older laptop

[mypetduck]

I've seen conflicting opinions on this topic...

I've a Toshiba Portege 7200CT, running a Pentium III 600MHz with 320MB RAM and a 6GB hardrive. I currently have Xubuntu 7.10 on it, but as I want to soon install Ubuntu on a spare desktop I'd like to keep my user experience consistent between the two machines.

If I use that laptop mostly for writing, maybe some surfing, can I install Ubuntu with those specs using the Alternate CD?

[candtalan]

I think so yes, no problem, but use the internet connection and synaptic package manager (not another CD).

All you have to do is install the package ubuntu-desktop. This is a bunch of libraries and packages which will create the normal Ubuntu environment. You can keep your existing xubuntu (xfce) environment if you wish, or later uninstall the relevant package xubuntu-desktop.

With both packages installed, you can choose at log in time from a options menu which Session you want!

You do not have to re install ubuntu or such.

[smoker]

do you mean you want to replace xubuntu on your laptop with ubuntu? if so, you don't have to reinstall, if you don't want to, have a look here: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/gnome

if you want a fresh install anyway, i see no problem using the alternate cd

best of luck

[tommcd]

If you have Xubuntu working fine then I think the alternate install CD should install Ubuntu just fine. You might consider sticking with Xubuntu for the laptop though. I would think it would run a bit faster than Ubuntu with gnome, but it should work.

[mypetduck]

This is the fastest-responding forum, and most helpful, I've ever witnessed--thanks all!

I was thinking about a fresh install, though I'm open to suggestions. I still haven't worked out the networking connection with the laptop and Xubuntu, so I had been expecting to use a CD--though I also had expected to finally work out the networking, too, so I can try to connect online. Maybe I'll try that first.

A performance hit isn't so much a concern, since I'd only be writing with that laptop while traveling. I bought it from a guy on ebay who refurbished it with the 6GB HD. If only he had kept it to the stock 12GB...