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System Requirements for Linux?
I have inherited my daughters 2008ish Dell Inspiron 1520 and want to get acquainted with Linux. My questions are...
1.) What is the best version for my system? 2.) Do I need to format the disk to be Linux compliant? (it will be Linux only system) 3.) Is this really something I want to do? lol Thanks in advance... |
What are your hardware specs, in particular, how many RAMs do you have?
Since it's Dell, it likely has Broadcom wireless (I have had many Dells). You should check that out so you know what to expect. If it's Broadcom, regardless of the distro, you may have to take some extra steps to get the wireless working. Going back to your original question, if you go to the homepage for any Linux distro, you will find a link to the minimum requirements for that distro. |
By this review the machine comes with 2G ram & crucial reports that it is upgradeable to 4G.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3846 The wireless is Wireless: Intel 4965AGN https://wiki.debian.org/iwlwifi You should be o although I never had the intel wireless but it's not supported by iwlegacy. |
PROCESSOR..., T2310, 1.46, 1MB, PMER, M0
WIRELESS..., MINICARD..., DW1390, BROADCOM CORPORATION... HARD DRIVE..., 80GB, Serial ATA..., 9.5, 5.4K, T080 Dual In-line Memory Module 512MB, 667, 64X64, 8K, 200 |
Based on what EDDY1 said, pretty much any contemporary Linux distro would run just fine on your machine.
I suggest you download and burn a few Live CD's of distros you are interested in and take a look at them. That way, you can taste before you choose. And, yes, you will need to reformat your hard drive. Most distros' installation routines will offer an "automatic" option for doing that (Slackware, notably, does not--it expects you to do your own formatting). If you have any crucial files you want to preserve, save them to external media (CD, DVD, USB, across the network) first. Whatever distro you pick, stick with it for a few months, so that, if you decide to switch, you still will have gotten some familiarity with how Linux works. Most of the major distros would probably work okay. I would recommend against Fedora (very bleeding edge and changes every six months) or Ubuntu (it's heading off into its own direction with little thought of the overall community), but that's just me. Linux is not Windows. It's not harder, but it is different. Expect it to be different. Addendum: Also, based on what you posted as I was writing this (1/2 GB RAMs), it would be a good idea to consider upping your RAM to at least one and, if possible, two GBs. Otherwise, go with a distro with a lighter desktop. Read up about desktop environments and window managers here. |
Awesome info guys and thanks Frank for taking such detail in describing the situation. I'm excited about getting started. Thanks again.
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The specs you listed are nowhere near the specs of the review. |
Service Tag4VQKWD1
Computer Model Inspiron 1520 Shipping Date 10/10/2007 Country United States |
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It's almost as if they're deliberately trying to confuse the consumer. (now why would they want to do that?:rolleyes:) |
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You could upgrade your RAM, or use a (fairly) light desktop. Quote:
http://www.cnet.com/laptops/dell-ins...-32471366.html Quote:
The manufacturers like selling laptops using just (a made up example) 'MegaLaptop 554' when the full model number is 'MegaLaptop 554/736XX.50000'. They love doing that, because most people cant remeber much more than 'MegaLaptop 554'. So they send out review laptops which are 'overspeced', potential customer XXX just remembers that the MegaLaptop 554 did really wel in 'PC Parts Anorak' magazine, then buy it without realising that the one in the shop is a very different system..... Yeah, its is meant to confuse, or be marketing. As in, 'look out, dont step in the marketing!' |
You don't need to spend money on RAM: there are several distros which work well on 512MB, or even less. I suggest you try Salix, and not just because I use it (I've tried 111 distros over the years!)
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...page/15/sort/7 That review was of the plain installer disk: you should get the live disk (in the Xfce version), then you can (1) look before you leap and (2) partition with gparted before you install. You can read a pdf manual: get it here http://people.salixos.org/tsuren/doc....37_draft4.pdf For formating the disk, create three partitions: /dev/sda1. This is for the OS and software (mount point /): 10GB /dev/sda2. Swap (incase you run out of RAM): 1GB /dev/sda3. This is for your files (mount point /home): what's left |
buy more RAM !!!
with only 512 meg you are going to have problems the very last distro i had running well with only that little was CentOS 5 And that is showing it's age, it is getting OLD . CentOS 5.9 would work with 512 meg but likely not the wireless . CentOS 6.4 will run but VERY SLOW and the wireless might work |
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UPDATE: Had 4 GB ram from earlier upgrade and made a Mint Boot Dvd, installed effortlessly and then data cable accessed the internet through my MBP allowing access to the WWW for the Dell. Love the look and am getting acquainted with the differences from Mac. Not to much diff, yet. Thank you for all your responses and help. Looking forward to the adventure>
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It is good to know Linux Mint is working for you. If you encounter a problem later on you can start another threat with more specific questions. In the main time enjoy your new computer.
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