Need Distro recommendation for Laptop and Server

rainrunner87 · 10-31-2006, 07:29 AM

I've got a relatively new laptop: Dell Inspiron 6400, Intel Core Duo 1.66GHz, 1.5GB RAM, decent graphics, creative sound, and integrated wireless. I've also got an older compaq that I'm mucking about with to turn into a server. I'd like to convert them both. I just don't know enough to know which distro(s) to use.

Recommendations?

-Elliott

musicman_ace · 10-31-2006, 07:51 AM

Ubuntu & Ubuntu Server
Straight Debian on both (4.0 should be coming out soon I think)
Gentoo on both

Gentoo has great documentation, but can sometimes be a pain for the less experienced linux user. Debian is one of the most stable distros out there. Ubuntu is based on debian but has a faster release cycle for keeping closer to the bleeding edge of technology.

rainrunner87 · 10-31-2006, 08:15 AM

How's the wireless support on those? Also, are any of them particularly good for Tor and Skype? (Yes, I know there are better things than Skype, but Skype gives me an actual phone number, which I need for work)

musicman_ace · 10-31-2006, 10:37 AM

Hardware support is all about the kernel not the distro. If it works with one distro then it works with all of them. The difference is the tools used in configuration.

rainrunner87 · 10-31-2006, 10:39 AM

Better question then, which distro has the best wireless configuration tools?

rickh · 10-31-2006, 10:57 AM

All distros are best for someone ... all have equivalent tools ... There is no best, there is no worst.

Too bad the megathread got closed.

rainrunner87 · 10-31-2006, 12:13 PM

Point taken. Thanks all. I'll post back after I make the switch to let you know how it went.

rainrunner87 · 10-31-2006, 10:33 PM

Another questions: Do any or all of them have easy implementation of some sort of drive encryption?

musicman_ace · 11-01-2006, 09:08 PM

You can use PGP for encryption. The kernel supports many cryptographic providers. I'd sugget Ubuntu for ease of use on the wireless thing

farslayer · 11-01-2006, 09:29 PM

Linux on a Laptop... check the laptop site for listing of what people are using on the model you purchased...
http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html

8 - Debian or Ubuntu (both Debian based so instructions should be almost identical)
3 - Fedora
1 - Gentoo

Based on that I would go with Debian or Ubuntu...