Linux Format forums

kevanf1 · LXF regular Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:34 pm Posts: 125

Has anybody had experience of running Linux on the Sony VAIO Picture Book notebook? These are the tiny 10 inch screen beauties. They have very little RAM as standard - 64mb - but they can take up to 196mb The hard drive is 12gb which, for the size of the PC is fine because let's face it you are hardly likely to be using this in anger. I'm thinking along the lines of Damn Small Linux due to the 64mb RAM. I would like to upgrade in the future but, RAM for this model is very, very expensive Crying or Very sad

So, any comments? Any experience?

Oh, I was given this little PC Very Happy

and I hate to say it but Win 98 se runs lovely on it..... ooer.... I'd still much, much sooner it was running Linux though.

towy71

I have no experience of that machine but I think vector linux should run in its slacky goodness on that hardware.
_________________
still looking for that door into summer

spottedcat

I couldn't find the minimum RAM requirements for this, but Xubuntu might be worth considering. I've just installed the newly-released Dapper version on an elderly Compaq Presario with, admittedly, 155 mb * of RAM and it runs much better than Ubuntu did. Much lighter desktop, but looks good.

* Odd figure, I know. But that's what the BIOS is telling me.

Nigel

155Mb - at a guess that's 160Mb (128 + 32) minus 5Mb for on-board graphics ? Still an odd number, though.

spottedcat

Yes, of course. Just checked again with the power supply plugged in. The battery is completely knackered. 640kb system, 155 extended - leaving 4mb for graphics. Only had about 2 nanoseconds to read what was on the screen first time before the battery died. Very Happy

Edit BTW, Xubuntu seems to be hamster-powered.

kevanf1 · LXF regular Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:34 pm Posts: 125

Ok, cheers everyone. I've used Vector in the past and Zenwalk (which used the Xfce desktop like Xubuntu does) so I'm sort of familiar with it. I found Ubuntu Lite also. Which is Ubuntu but even lighter than Xubuntu as it uses the IceWM. There's obviously DSL which I shall try on a USB stick first.

I'll let you all know how I get on...