Can I install Ubuntu Netbook Edition over Desktop Edition?

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turb

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Ultimate Geek
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#81849 19-Apr-2011 09:45

I have an old work PC that sits under my telly that I only use for browsing the internet with Chrome.

It has been running xp , but yesterday I (just for fun!) installed Ubuntu Desktop on a separate partition (xp has 26Gb and Ubuntu has 14Gb of a 40Gb drive).

I want to retain the xp and have a dual boot system that will default to Ubuntu - which is what it does now.

It is nice, but I'm wondering whether I should have gone for the Netbook Edition on my rather low-spec pc (P4 2.4GHz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb Video Card)

My questions are:

Will the Netbook Edition give me a faster boot up time?

Will I be able to install it into the same partition, over the top of my Ubuntu Desktop? I don't want to end up with THREE operating systems, each in its own partition!

I don't store anything on the PC so it wouldn't be disastrous if I had to reformat the HDD, just a nuisance to reinstall xp etc

Cheers!

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

mattRSK

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Ultimate Geek
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#460469 19-Apr-2011 12:32

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the next edition of Ubuntu coming soon combines the two. So you might as well wait for the new release.

KuriKai

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#460509 19-Apr-2011 14:15

mattRSK is correct, they are doing away with Ubuntu Netbook edition.
I say wait, it gets released in 10 more days

turb

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Ultimate Geek
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#460524 19-Apr-2011 15:02

So will there be an option for low specced computers?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

toyonut

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#460608 19-Apr-2011 19:03

No, it will all be the same. Netbook edition is not really much different to the desktop edition in terms of speed etc. It did once have optimisations for the atom processors and intel graphics, but I think they have merged it all now so it uses the same kernel etc.

If you wanted more speed, you could use a distro which uses a lighter environment like Xubuntu, crunchbang or many others. You can just overwright the ubuntu partition or just install the xfce desktop environment by installing the package in the existing ubuntu installation.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

turb

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Ultimate Geek
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#461373 21-Apr-2011 16:20

Thanks for the help!

Xubuntu seems right for me, I'll give it a try.

Two more questions:

How come they are all free?

Why pay for Windows?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

mattRSK

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#461390 21-Apr-2011 16:51

Right again don't quote me on this as I am new to the open source world. I believe it is free because it is based on the community model. A large group of people contribute there time and skills to the project so that anyone can get it for free.

The difference between Ubuntu and Windows is that you pay Windows for the support offered. Where with Ubuntu you rely on the support of the community. I have recently gone completely in the open source direction for Uni. Using open office and free alternatives to programs like matlab etc. I haven't felt disadvantaged in anyway and if I get stuck on anything there is usually a guide on the internet somewhere.

It's very good, everything just seems to work.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

mattRSK

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#461391 21-Apr-2011 16:52

In a way I guess it is like this forum. You don't have to come on here and help people out or get help. It just seems to work.

toyonut

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#461478 21-Apr-2011 22:50

turb: Thanks for the help!

Xubuntu seems right for me, I'll give it a try.

Two more questions:

How come they are all free?

Why pay for Windows?

Yep, community supported and developed by the hands of nubile virgins on computers made of onyx;) They are free because the time used to develop them is free time that coders have and want to contribute. They also may be free because they are a community/testing branch of a paid for system e.g. Fedora is the free version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Ubuntu is free because Mark Shuttleworth is very rich and wants to be the next Steve Jobs.

People mostly keep windows because linux cant beat its hardware compatibility or they have programs that they require and cant change to an open source alternative. Also for your average user, windows is free. You dont "pay" to have it on your computer and you dont have to muck around installing it.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

gzt

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Lifetime subscriber

#461481 21-Apr-2011 23:14

If you get really stuck, or for business reasons you need guaranteed support or a fully supported solution, you can purchase that (via a support contract) from Canonical: http://www.xubuntu.org/help

JAMMAN2110

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#461492 22-Apr-2011 00:08

In Terminal:

sudo tasksel (if that's not installed then sudo apt-get install tasksel)

Select "Ubuntu Netbook Remix" (arrow keys and spacebar)
Tab to ok / install
Wait
Tasksel will exit
Log out / log back in or reboot (up to you)

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#462008 24-Apr-2011 19:27

Many thanks Jamman and everyone else that answered!

This is why I love GZ. I got great advice and a range of options from people who really know their stuff. Jamman cheers for the very clear post - it didn't assume any expertise on my part but didn't treat me like an idiot either.

It all worked exactly as you described. Unfortunately it is running much slower than before - MUTTER the desktop manager is using 94% CPU. So I think I might try xubuntu.

I downloaded it this arvo and while my daughter was hogging the TV I put it on the OLD laptop. A 1999 vintage Vaio 333Mhz, 194MB RAM. It works. Slowly, but it works. I've removed everything I can and installed Chromium as the browser.

It would be fun to try running Chrome OS on here but I don't think this will boot from USB....

This has been a real voyage of discovery for me, I've been amazed how slick it is. No dicking around with drivers or networks. Sweet. I'm a convert.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.