Hello, I'm wanting to install a Linux on my MSI U100 Netbook
 

Linux on an MSI U100 Netbook, Atom CPU, 160GB HDD 130GB available

I'm wondering what Linux Dist is currently preferred on this Netbook.
In the past I believe it was Ubuntu, now Mint looks interesting.
I'm mainly a MacOS X user, so prefer a similar user interface.

Currently WindowsXP Pro is installed, I'd like to keep it and add a Linux on a second bootable partition.
I'd like to first install the Linux and my Apps to a USB drive, then after testing it I'd partition the HDD and copy Linux to the additional partition.

TIA for any suggestions. Josh S

The first limiting thing here are your rather sedate CPU, which will not really support a demanding user interface. Mint would be OK, but Ubuntu would probably be sluggish.

The second thing is your memory. The MSI site says that computer is available with 512 MB or 1 GB, expandable to 2 GB. If you have 1 GB, Mint will be fine. It would run in 512 MB, but it would be a tight fit and AntiX MX (rather than the ordinary AntiX) would be a good choice.

As for looking like the Mac, Linux desktops can be configured and extra bits added, so I anything is possible. Move the panel, add a pager to it, change the theme and icons ... that should help.

For installation, you'll need three partitions: root (for the OS and programs), home (for your own files -- Mint will let you encrypt this during installation), and swap (for hibernation or if memory runs out). All can be logical partitions within one extended primary partition: Linux doesn't require booting from a primary partition, unlike Windows. See this for the details:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

Many Thx for your info
 

Yes my MSI U100 has 2GB of ram and 160GB HDD. The CPU is an Atom 1.6
Yes it's not swift; WinXP Pro is just so so on it, but I'm not using it for any heavy work.
System functions are a similar speed as on my yr2000 Mac G3/500 640MB Pismo, running MacOS X 10.4 Tiger.

It's a casual use and travel computer, which I want to move off WinXP for security reasons. It would be nice to be a bit speedier with Linux !
The U100 does have faster USB and WiFi than the 2x the weight Pismo I previously used for travel.

Josh

Then I'd definitely go for Mint's Mate version, and accept the offer to encrypt /home during the installation, since you take the computer outside the home.

Thanks for your Mate suggestion
 

However I'm wondering why I should use Mate rather than Cinnamon ?

Your encrypt/home suggestion I'll try.

Mate or Cinnamon is no big deal, but Cinnamon is a little more demanding on the computer.