Ten top Linux distros for your netbook

• Tags:
• Distributions,
• Netbooks,
• Linux

Jack Wallen

Published: 29 May 2009 14:06 BST

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...configure the connection. There is no need to load a module or add any other packages. For new users, however, Puppy might not be the best solution simply because of the setup issues.

5. OpenSuse 11

OpenSuse 11 is another main distribution that works well out of the box, except for a little tweaking necessary to get wireless working for some netbooks. On the Eee PC 900, you will need to add the rpms for:

madwifi-kmp-default-ng

madwifi-ng_r3366+ar5007

so that wireless will work. Put those on a USB key to transfer them to the machine so they can be installed.

There might also be xorg.conf configurations to get the proper resolution and 3D support going. As you can see, this list keeps growing — which should help you to draw the same conclusion I did.

Although OpenSuse is a rock-solid entry for the netbook market, it is not for the faint of heart or those new to Linux. The installation alone would send the new user back to Xandros. If you are dying to get a taste of Suse on a netbook, you could always buy an HP Mini Notebook 2140, which comes preinstalled with Suse Enterprise 11.

6. gOS Cloud

gOS Cloud is an operating system created specifically for netbooks. The idea behind this distribution is that it turns your computer into nothing more than a web browser. This approach might seem highly limiting, but if you think of the overall purpose of the netbook, you soon realise that nearly all of the work done is via a browser.

If you have ever used gOS Gears, you know how well this concept can be put to use. This version of gOS lets you surf the web, email and chat. If you combine this with a service such as Google Documents, you can expand it to handle documents and such.

Unfortunately, gOS Cloud is not yet out for public consumption, although it will be released soon. Versions will be released for specific netbooks, so installation will be simple.

7. CrunchEee

CrunchEee is an Eee PC-specific edition of Crunchbang Linux, which is a spin-off of Ubuntu, and it offers a sleek OpenBox desktop. CrunchEee ships with Firefox, VLC, Skype, Flash and plenty of other handy applications.

You will find another, very useful, application called Eee-control, which is a control application for anything Eee PC-related. Like Eeebuntu, CrunchEee uses the Array kernel. So this distribution will work perfectly, out of the box, on Eee PCs. It will give you the lightweight feeling of Puppy Linux with the ease of use of Eeebuntu.

8. Slax

Slax is based on Slackware and is unusual in allowing you to customise your distribution even before you download it. By using Build Slax, you can add whatever you need to make your Slax fit perfectly.

Slax is based on the KDE desktop and is actually meant to be run from a flash drive, although it can be installed permanently on your netbook. If you decide you want to install Slax onto your drive, you can use the Slax Installer from the KDE menu.

9. Debian

Debian is always one of the best distributions for nearly any purpose. It is stable, reliable, secure, and has more than 20,000 packages to install.

Debian can be installed on most netbooks. You might run into issues with the resolution, but you should be able to correct them by editing the xorg.conf file. But you will probably have to start out with an Ethernet connection, because the wireless will need to be tweaked to get it to run.

To do this, you will have to install a non-free version of the madwifi driver. With your netbook attached to an Ethernet connection, the easiest approach is to install the module assistant, as follows:

apt-get update

apt-get install module-assistant

m-a prepare

m-a auto-install madwifi

Reboot your netbook, and wireless should be supported.

10. Fedora

Fedora on a netbook can be a good experience, but it does depend on your hardware. There is no problem on the Acer Aspire or the Eee PC 70x series. However, on the Eee PC 9x/1000 series, there are some issues.

One of the major downsides of using Fedora on any netbook is boot times. Of all of the distributions mentioned, Fedora will have the slowest start-up times. Once running, however, you will find the experience solid.

Other choices?
Not all of these distributions are perfect, but they will all serve the central role of the netbook, which is to be online and handle network-related tasks. Have you tried any of the operating systems mentioned in this article? Or have you tried one not on this list? If so, what was your experience?

Credit: 10 solid Linux distributions for your netbook from TechRepublic.com

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