Hello everyone, my name's Nickman and I've seen a few reviews of Linux Lite and I found it very nice, what Jerry and the team are doing is great.
I'm planning to do a little project with my HP Mini 110-1100 and install a Linux distro on it as opposed to having Windows 7 Starter on it, I plan to use it for college, writing essays and taking notes on it, things like that, nothing too extensive since it's around 8 years old and only has a 32 bit processor, it's a Intel Atom and has 2.70 Ghz, it has 1.00 GB of installed ram, though it may have more and I might not realize it.
I have a few questions
1. What are the differences between Linux Lite, Peppermint 7 and MX-16?
2. I understand that UEFI is not supported as of yet, or at least won't be until it is tested and confirmed to work sometime after the Diamond 4.0 release in June 2018, I'd have to disable UEFI on the computer for Linux lite to work correct?
3. Would I be able to print from a Canon MG 7720 printer or not since the computer is old?
1. What are the differences between Linux Lite, Peppermint 7 and MX-16?
Here are "unbiased" summaries from
http://distrowatch.com/
Linux Lite is a beginner-friendly Linux distribution based on Ubuntu's long-term support (LTS) release and featuring the Xfce desktop. Linux Lite primarily targets Windows users. It aims to provide a complete set of applications to assist users with their everyday computing needs, including a full office suite, media players and other essential daily software.
- OS Type: Linux
- Based on: Debian, Ubuntu (LTS)
- Origin: New Zealand
- Architecture: i386, x86_64
- Desktop: Xfce
- Category: Beginners, Desktop, Live Medium
- Release Model: Fixed
Peppermint OS is a Lubuntu-based Linux distribution that aims to be lightning fast and easy on system resources. By employing Ice, Peppermint integrates seamlessly with Cloud and web-based applications. The distribution's other features include automatic updates, easy step-by-step installation, sleek and user-friendly interface, and increased mobility by integrating directly with Cloud-based applications.
- OS Type: Linux
- Based on: Debian, Lubuntu
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Architecture: i386, x86_64
- Desktop: LXDE
- Category: Desktop, Live Medium, Netbooks
- Release Model: Fixed
MX Linux, a desktop-oriented Linux distribution based on Debian's "stable" branch, is a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS Linux communities. Using Xfce as the default desktop, it is a mid-weight operating system designed to combine an elegant and efficient desktop with simple configuration, high stability, solid performance and medium-sized footprint.
- OS Type: Linux
- Based on: Debian (Stable), antiX
- Origin: Greece
- Architecture: i386, x86_64
- Desktop: Xfce
- Category: Live Medium, Desktop
- Release Model: Fixed
For my biased two cents, I have used Linux Lite for years and there are multiple reasons posted on this forum by me and others; MX Linux is a great distro is you prefer one based on Debian instead of Ubuntu; but I do not like Peppermint, Lubuntu, or LXDE.
2. ... I'd have to disable UEFI on the computer for Linux lite to work correct?
That is what I did when I installed Linux Lite on my new computer and wiped out Windows.
3. Would I be able to print from a Canon MG 7720 printer or not since the computer is old?
Give Linux Lite a test drive on a live DVD or USB stick and see it you can print.
Coastie lays down some excellent info...
2 add my 2 cents
I have a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 w/ Atom 1.6Ghz and 1GB ram .. a netbook probably very similar to yours... It started life with XP..
Currently running 3.4 - but it has each from 2.2.. LL has performed very well on this pc. I use it to connect to work via VPN use java based apps, internet and remote desktop.
Best thing I can suggest if you're looking for performance is a USB network adapter (something N or better - my internal was a G) peruse the forums for those that work well. And a SSD hard drive. I found a cheaper branded that matched the SATA configs of my motherboard and has significantly sped the machine.
I wouldn't go to wild on the replacement parts as the machines are considered "out dated" by MS standards lol..
But a few $$ isn't so bad in parts that can be migrated to another machine in the future..
Coastie and firenice thank you for responding and I appreciate the suggestions firenice, I'm not sure if I know what the components of my motherboard are considering I've never checked the motherboard, how would I check that?
Googling your model number or searching the model/serial number on hp's site. Should give accurate details to hardware config. At least enought to give an idea without opening the case.
Firenice and newt thanks for the responses and thank you for the links newt, I appreciate the replies
I have done all my college coursework so far on a Linux computer (Xubuntu, PCLinuxOS, SalixOS, Debian, and now Linux Lite). My school insists on "Microsoft format" for some reason, but it's easily done in LibreOffice no matter what distribution you're using. Linux Lite, in my opinion, is certainly the most "beginner friendly" of the distros you listed. Your old computer is more than a match for any of the ones you're looking at. Oh, and I'm also in Florida (North central). Praying for rain!
[member=6921]Nickman[/member],
Adding my 2 cents here. You should be fine with Linux Lite on that machine and it will probably run much quicker than Win 7 Starter. A few years ago I loaded LL on an HP Mini similar to yours (1GB ram, Intel Atom, etc.) for a friend's daughter to use at college. It ran very well on it and she was able to do everything she needed to do, even though her college also said "Microsoft only" -- (complete nonsense!). (Also, she had never seen or used Linux before, but had no problems at all using LL.)
One more thing: in all likelihood that machine is not using UEFI firmware, so no need to worry about disabling it. Even if it is using UEFI, since the CPU is 32-bit the firmware is already set to run in "Legacy" mode because Windows won't run in UEFI mode unless it's a 64-bit version running on 64-bit hardware. So either way you don't have to tinker with the Bios/UEFI settings to install LL.
RandomBoy and gold_finger thanks for the replies, I appreciate it, I also have another question after reading an article earlier today from OMGUbuntu, Canonical is basically moving away from the desktop even though they say it remains really important, they're moving to focus on cloud and iOT, what does this mean for desktop distro's based on Ubuntu?