Which distro should I use next?
 

I had two laptops since I started using Linux, since I registered to this site.

The first one lasted me a year. I've used Mandrake 9.1-9.2.

The second one, the one I'm typing with, has lasted around 3 years. I've used Mandrake 10.1, Fedora Core 4, Gentoo, Ubuntu 5.~-6.06.

My next laptop, which is scheduled to come in 3 weeks from now, it's a Lenovo R61. I intend to install Linux on that too.


I'd like for this laptop to run KDE, and the latest kernel (so my sound card works, and have the patch for my fancy keyboard). I'll be using this laptop for college.


Does anyone here have a suggestion as to which distro I should used next?

You should definitely use PCLinuxOS...No--wait---Mepis 6.5.
On second thought, Kubuntu-------no that's not right---maybe OpenSUSE.........arrrrrrgh..;)

All seriousness aside, Anything in the top ten on the Distrowatch "hit list" should be OK. My last notebook install was PCLinuxOS and I was impressed by how easy the wireless setup was. I have not yet figured out the power management......

I suggest kubuntu.

---------------
Steve Stites

I have used Kubuntu shortly twice. (5.* and 7.*)

Both times, I've used it for less than 15 minutes, both times, Konqueror crashed on me. I was less than impressed.

Has it got better since?

I would give Kubuntu a spin if it's more stable than what I remember it to be.

***
pixellany: So many distros, so little time.

And of course the mother of all distros :}


SLACKWARE!




Cheers,
Tink

I suggest Arch.

-Great package manager.
-Lots of tinkering (editing config files) required.
-Build your system with only the software you want/need

Why Debian of course, starting with the debian-40r1-i386-kde-CD-1.iso since this is for college use you do want a really stable distro right ?


Err. we were all supposed to come in here and vote for our favorite distro right ?

Arch is WONDERFUL for learning....There is an elegant simplicity to it, but don't try it unless you have already done some command-line configuring on other systems. (Or if you are simply not comfortable with the command-line.)

Do you have a "Family laptop curse" which makes them have short lives or something?

Debian.

I believe you can get more performance out of Gentoo, which may be a factor since laptops trail desktops a bit with regard to performance. You might also consider Arch. Although Gentoo has binary packages, the focus is on compiling everything, whereas Arch focuses on binary packages. Since it is i686 optimized, Arch still runs very fast and is less time consuming to maintain. :twocents:

I heard Arch, Debian, Slackware, Kubuntu, and Gentoo.

I have never tried Arch, I don't know what it's like.

Debian seems like a nice distro. farslayer is right, I am looking for stability, I don't exactly want to deal with "Segmentation Fault" during PROG class. I'm concerned about download size however.
Slackware: Meh... It seems to me that they don't have the latest stuff, am I wrong?
Kubuntu: I would mind giving it one more try. If Konqueror doesn't Seg Fault, I'll be ok.
Gentoo: Long compile time, but with a 2.0 Ghz Dual Core, it shouldn't be a great deal.


reverse: No, I'm the only one that's cursed.

I should be receiving my computer today! :D

Thanks

I really don't know what to write... everytime the same question...*g just install linux and test each distro you like... top ten from distro watch is a good advice and starting point... it all depends on your personal experience with linux and on your will to do more or less tweaking... if you want to have all running out of the box, just reinstall windumb...*g

I can only tell you that the lenovo r61 is running fine with debian etch, opensuse 10.2 and NOT running well with vista*g (I also own a r61...)

Since we're voting...
Debian -- The distro we move to, not from.

Mmmmmmmmmmm,let me think....What's that one...S? Sla... Slackware!! That's it!!!

Cross Linux from Scratch