Linux

kraggy

Hi folks,

I want to buy a laptop and have been checking out dabs.com and have noticed that the cheapest laptops are those which have Linux as the OS.

Was wondering what Linux is like?

I just want to be able to use Internet, watch DVD's and listen to music on whatever laptop i buy.

Are there media players on such laptops that have Linux on them or ones that can be downloaded?

Anything else to consider? (I don't know much about computers)

Thanks alot,

K.

AlmightyCushion

It will do everything you need. Download vlc player for playing videos, it's the business.

Ghost Train

downsides are you might have trouble getting drivers for devices you get for the laptop, if you're used to windows operating systems you might have trouble adapting to the way linux does things and a lot of software/games will only run on windows, so linux might limit you in that way

tonyboy247

Look the clue is in the add.... linux is free so no need to buy mr gatess stuff...that way they dont get calls from new users and all etc etc...linux is ok if your a bit geekie and prob the way to go long term perhaps, so sounds like the lappie is ok but not for you i feel....best of luck with the technical support from them on it yas.;)

Creamy Goodness

he doesn't need gaming, he said internet/dvd's/music

so that's one linux os plus vlc.

one of the great but smallest thing that i love about linux (people will probably think i'm mad here but...) is that there is a pdf reader built in, nothing worse than getting a new laptop with windows and having to download programs to open a pretty standard file format.

AlmightyCushion

Cremo wrote: »

he doesn't need gaming, he said internet/dvd's/music

so that's one linux os plus vlc.

one of the great but smallest thing that i love about linux (people will probably think i'm mad here but...) is that there is a pdf reader built in, nothing worse than getting a new laptop with windows and having to download programs to open a pretty standard file format.

Nah, that always pisses me off after a format. I've been meaning to slipstream my xp install but I just haven't been arsed.

Ghost Train

games is worth mentioning to anybody considering going with linux, common stuff with the specific applications mentioned would include sometimes a designed for internet explorer web pages not working correctly in linux, dvd menus don't always work great in vlc and if you have a mp3 player thats tied to software like itunes it might be more difficult to transfer/manage music. all minor things but if its different to what youre used to it can be annoying.

It's easy enough to download and install a pdf reader in windows (for most people), getting music with drm converted and working on linux or finding driver that work for a new usb printer or device might be trickier

Fremen

If you have a broadband connection, you can try it out with no risk to your current computer.
It's called a "Live CD". You put it in the DVD drive before you power on the computer, and instead of booting into windows, the CD boots you into linux.

You can download a disk image here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
(Eh, I'm pretty sure the ubuntu install disk can be used as a live CD, correct me if I'm wrong, anyone)

There's a bit of a learning curve, but almost all software has a good open-source (read: free) equivalent. iTunes, for example, is replaced with Amarok, which I find waaaay nicer to use.