Interested in switching to Linux, want some advice!
 

I have a HP Laptop and im thinking on changing it up and installing linux for the first time. the specs of the comp are:

AMD sempron 2.10ghz processer
3.00 gb of ram
64 bit windows 7

I just wana know is it worth it to switch to linux? im good with computers but i am a complete newbie to linux as ive never even seen it used. All i use my computer for is my iphone, , music, torrents, and watching said torrents. usually on tv out from the hdmi port. Any advice on if i should switch and suggestions for good distros to use??

I would suggest downloading VirtualBox, and downloading a few ISO's and running them in a virtual machine. This will give you a chance to try out a bunch of distro's before settling on one to install, it will also let you run through the install process (disk partitioning etc) without the risk of losing data.

I would suggest something like LinuxMint, or Ubuntu for your needs, BUT I cant comment on iPhone connectivity works with any Linux distro's, so this may be worth looking into beforehand, you may want to dual boot Windows + Linux to keep the iPhone connectivity via windows.

You don't have to "switch" to Linux. You can install it side-by-side with Windows (dual boot), inside of Windows (VirtualBox or WUBI), or run it in "live" mode with no change to your computer. I definitely recommend that you keep Windows installed and look upon Linux as another tool in the toolbox, not a "Windows replacement."

If you're looking for a quick introduction to "what is Linux like?" then I recommend burning a Live CD or Live USB of Linux Mint and taking it for a test-drive for a few days (with no change to your computer, don't install just yet).

this is what i use xbmc live-usb for.

Hello:

I just installed Linux Mint 11 (http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1760) for 3 friends who have only used Windows (Vista, XP & 7) and they just love it. I installed it as a 'dual-boot' (it is installed along-side their Windows OS) so that they can try it but don't lose their Windows.

Linux Mint 11 is easy to install, easy to maintain, easy to add applications and easy to just plain use. I think that it is ranked # 2 in DistroWatch, and I can see why.

what is your motivation?
- dont like windows because it takes your liberty?
- pc too slow?
- be "modern"?
- be different?
- showing off with linux to friends?

Please analyze your motivation before you start.
If you have a good reason (for example: a reason good enough for making you NOT angry if the PC is not working anymore for few hours), I would:
a) start linux from a CD live (Puppy Linux? Knoppix?)
b) make a bootable USB stick (>8gB)
c) play around with the USB stick for a while
d) install further distros on the stick: lucid puppy, slitaz, tinycorelinux
e) play around and check what are your programm needs
f) install a choosen linux on your HDD (dual boot)
g) optimize your system (with applications)

If you are not mentally high motivated, you will not be happy.