Another which distro should I use question. (With requirements at least)

ajburges · 09-07-2010, 03:51 AM

First off I apologize for creating another "help me choose" thread but I would like some outside input because the distros I know are sub-optimal for my requirements.

I have a Dell Inspiron 640m that I am looking to reinstall Linux on after migrating Windows to a larger drive. The Linux installation is secondary to the Windows one and will be started via the media direct button (a secondary power button that boots a different partition than the Windows one). I have decided to make my choice of distro more targeted as Windows remains a more natural OS to work with for general use.

My plan is to have the Linux OS be a quick booting and/or lower power alternative to my Windows OS as such I have developed the following list of requirements for the distro to choose (in order of importance).

-Full hardware support for a Dell Inspiron 640m: highlights include wireless card, media buttons/fn modified keystrokes, and Intel Graphics Driver. Bluetooth is neither needed nor terribly wanted.

-Quick Boot time: Optimally I am targeting a faster boot than it takes Windows to resume from hibernate (2 GB RAM). I expect to have to modify whichever distro I choose to shave seconds to meet my lofty goal here.

-Ability to read NTFS partitions that are hibernated: Windows is hibernated more often than shut down. Access to the libraries stored in "My Documents" would be lovely.

-Low power use: probably inflexible given the Laptop's age but it would be nice to have my Linux OS last longer on battery than Windows

-Media capabilities: if the power usage preference can be met I would like to be able to use it to play DVD's (preferably images of to help power use) and MP3's

-GUI driven for general use: I have no problem navigating a terminal but want the actual use of it for media/internet/office to be GUI driven and leaving the terminal for configuration/development/advanced tasks

-boot loader contained in "/" and not on the MBR: I am using a proprietary boot loader for the novelty of the media direct button. Thus the MBR is off limits (I can restore the proprietary boot loader at will from windows if needed).

That is the base of what I am looking for. I have some Linux knowledge (plenty enough to get me in trouble) and have no problems learning more. I am just unsure of which distro will be the best fit for my intended use here. I know it will probably take tweaking to get to what I want but some starting points are better than others. I am thinking I may need to use Arch or Gentoo for this but am a bit weary of going into the deep end of the technical pool (I still am not sure where in the file system binaries I compile belong).

Thank you for your input.

unSpawn · 09-07-2010, 10:43 AM