[sheepo]

Hi! I'm looking to install linux as my only operating system on my netbook because windows was being slow. I was just wondering if you guys could suggest something for me.

So, what I want:

I want to browse the web

I want to be able to watch movies and listen to music (On and Offline)

I don't have to but I want to be able to use art software rather easily (gimp will do)

I want it to be fast

I want it to be different than windows (I'm bored with it)

Thanks! Sorry for asking for so much. It should probably be easy to install because I'm a noob.

[reflex]

I dunno. The main issue with the 1010 and Linux is the GMA500 graphics. Generally, they aren't well supported in Linux.

You might also need to install a driver for the Broadcom WiFi (?). The 1010 also has slow IO performance, but that's a hardware limitation, that applies to all OSs.

On the plus side, the GMA500 has video decode acceleration that the GMA950 and GMA3150 in the other Minis don't. And the video decode acceleration even works in Linux, which usually isn't the case (Intel and ATI generally don't support it in Linux).

So, I don't have a specific recommendation, but researching GMA500/poulsbo/psb and your distro of choice may help you make a decision.

[fdalbor]

I am not a expert; but I probably have tried almost all of the Linux's on the 1010. Reflex is right in that only a few of them work with the 1010. The problem is the GMA 500 graphics that he mentioned in his post. Jolicloud; Mandriva One, and Ubuntu, 9.04, 9.10, 10.04, and 10.10 all work with and support the GMA 500 graphics chips.

The easiest to get working with the 1010 is Jolicloud; but it is a cloud based OS and takes a little getting used to. Its graphics are outstanding and it supports the wifi card in the 1010 as well as any OS I have used on the 1010.

Ubuntu has several versions of its OS that works with the 1010; with 9.10 giving the best results. You are going to have to do a little command line work; but its very simple; just follow the instructions on the Ubuntu web site and you will be up and running in a short time. 9.04, 10.04 and 10.10 all work well; but 9.10 gives the best results with the least effort.

Mandriva One works with the 1010 and it supports the GMA 500 chip set. But you have to use a special seed program to install it and I have had trouble with it locking up at times when using it for a extended period of time. It has the potential to be outstanding as it runs flash and supports the 1010's wifi card very well. But with Mandriva's financial problems you won't get much help from them to get it running with no problems.

Fedora runs very well on the 1010; but you are limited to 800 X 576 display mode, as it does not support the GMA 500 graphics. Its a shame though as it runs great in lower display mode.

Don't know if any of the information helps you; but it can't hurt. Give Linux a shot on the 1010; it might surprise you. I still use XP off my hard drive; but I have all of the Linux's mentioned in the above installed on USB drives or SD/HC drives. TAke care on the road and have fun. fdalbor

[neo158]

You could try Jolicloud, I run it on my Mini 1010, it's the only Distro to fully support the GMA500 and that should cover most, if not all, of what you want.

It's also an Ubuntu based Distro, meaning that anything that works on Ubuntu should work on Jolicloud.

[Isthmus]

If the 1010 supports Ubuntu 10.10, then I would go with Linux Mint 10 (the main Gnome edition or the Debian edition). I've tried more distros than I care and keep going back to Mint on my 1012. It is super easy to use and extremely complete. To get the best performance out of it, I maxed out the Ram on the 1012 and replaced the screen for an HD one. The added resolution made the machine drastically more usable.

Mint is Ubuntu based. It basically takes the ubuntu mainline and cleans it up drastically, then adds a few custom tools which make it far easier to use than the already easy ubuntu. You might not agree with all their software choices, but that's what the repos are for.

[fdalbor]

While Ubuntu 10.10 runs fine on the 1010 I am not sure if the mods required to get the GMA graphics to display 1024X576/600 will work with Mint.

Mint is very nice indeed and I have it installed on one of my portables (not netbook); but I have never tired to get it installed on my netbook and then run the mods required to get better than 800X576/600 graphics.

If the mods will work with Mint it would be a nice addition. So far I have not heard of anyone who has performed the task; but then I have not heard of anyone who had tried it and it did not work either. ???????????? fdalbor

[Isthmus]

Before I swapped the screen I tried the mods for ubuntu (10.04 at the time) and they worked on mint (mint 9 at the time), but the resolution still wasn't to my liking. with the new screen, the installation was flawless and I didn't have to create any custom settings.

[proveerc]

JoliCloud is by FAR the best OS for the mini 1010......so far.

Ive tried them all!

Wiped my HD over a year ago, cos windows is .... . Just Jolicloud on it now.....LOVE IT!

[fdalbor]

Originally Posted by proveerc

JoliCloud is by FAR the best OS for the mini 1010......so far.

Ive tried them all!

Wiped my HD over a year ago, cos windows is .... . Just Jolicloud on it now.....LOVE IT!

While I would agree that Joli 1.2 is very, very good and by far the easiest Linux to get properly working on the 1010 I still rate Ubuntu 10.04 and Mandriva One as very good alternatives. They are working to get LinuxLive working with Mandriva and when they do it may outdo the other two.
Of course there is nothing wrong with XP on the 1010 either and I use it as much as the three Linux's.
I bought my 1010 back in 2009 because where I live does not have broadband (yes I live out in the weeds) and I needed something light and portable to use at Live free Wifi hotspots. I use my 1010 to do all my downloading and then transfering the files to my desktops and big laptop. My 1010 has been a workhorse since the day I got it and it has performed much better than I ever expected; even with only 1gig of memory. fdalbor