Which distro? Fresh and clean, minimalist

ReaperX7 · 02-19-2014, 11:15 PM

Because you're getting a laptop, be on the watch for Nvidia graphics. A lot of Nvidia graphics using laptops utilize Nvidia Optimus, while others allow for switchable graphics. Make sure you have switchable. Most of these are Intel based ones. You'll rarely if ever see an AMD laptop with Nvidia graphics anymore.

If not there are plenty of people who have used Optimus with the BumbleBee package very well, and can help you set it all up properly to work very well.

As far as Windows 8 or 8.1, 8/8.1 is a fairly decent OS in it's own right. It's based on many concepts from Windows 7, and it runs really well too.

One thing to take note of before you start installing Linux, check and take note of what type of partitioning the hard drive uses. Some newer PCs and Laptops utilize UEFI firmware with GPT partitioning, but some also utilize Legacy BIOS Mode with MBR partitioning.

cascade9 · 02-20-2014, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J1tterBug

I have a dell dimension e310 desktop that I am going to install the linux distro on.

With this spec?-

Quote:

Processor type Pentium 4 521
Primary Graphics Chipset Integrated Intel 915GV
Memory size 1024.0 MB

http://www.pcworld.com/product/28143...sion-e310.html

It should run OK with a lot of distros, but lots of others will run very badly (anything with gnome 3/gnome shell, KDE 4 or ubuntu with 'unity').

I'd be more likely to try out 'live USBs' and/or installing to a USB flash drive with the laptop than trying distros with the old, power hungry and slow P4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperX7

Because you're getting a laptop, be on the watch for Nvidia graphics. A lot of Nvidia graphics using laptops utilize Nvidia Optimus, while others allow for switchable graphics. Make sure you have switchable. Most of these are Intel based ones. You'll rarely if ever see an AMD laptop with Nvidia graphics anymore.

'Switchable' graphics can be a nightmare worse than 'optimus'.

IMO you are best off avoiding all 3rd party/additional GPUs in laptops unless you know its a discrete only card (which can be a pain to figure out).

Not like 'rouge spear' has high requirements, it should be playable with any stock Intel HD video chip or AMD 'APU'-

Quote:

System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements:

Windows 95/98
Pentium 266 MHz MMX
2D 16-bit SVGA 4MB video card required
32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
200 MB uncompressed hard drive space
4x speed or faster
DirectX compatible sound card required
Internet connection for multiplayer gameplay

http://ubi.com/UK/Games/Info.aspx?pId=567

BTW, I wouldnt trust any game that old to work properly on win8.......

ReaperX7 · 02-20-2014, 09:45 PM

Windows 9x/ME era stuff should work on Windows Vista/7/8/8.1 (NT 5.2 or later) as long as it wasn't developed around the assumption of using Direct Hardware Access hacks for functionality for video, audio, and input that weren't available in DirectX 5.0.

Unless you get an AMD based laptop or strictly Intel graphics, getting Nvidia is almost a waste of time since Intel forces the usage of Optimus almost.