With Microsoft’s Windows 7 beta on my netbook at various times since October of last year, it’s easy to overlook alternatives. After all, the general consensus in netbook-land is that Windows XP works great on computers where Vista is less than optimal. So when Windows 7 started running at XP-like speeds with Vista’s interface, I figured that the new operating system will be the de-facto netbook standard. Shame on me for making that assumption and focusing on other areas of the mobile space. I generally missed what Microsoft may have also overlooked: Ubuntu is coming on strong.
Although I haven’t installed it yet, the newest version of Ubuntu hit the web this week. It’s version 9.04 and goes by Jaunty Jackalope. Now I tend to draw my own conclusions in terms of devices and software, but I also read reviews just like you do. And this CNET review of Ubuntu 9.04 indicates that Ubuntu is well worth the download and install. The review sucked me in with this opening salvo:
“Here’s what the official press release won’t tell you about Ubunutu 9.04, which formally hit the streets overnight: its designers have polished the hell out of its user interface since the last release in October. So much so, in fact, that I am starting to prefer using my Ubuntu “Jaunty Jackalope” desktop over the similarly slick Windows 7 beta (which I am currently running full-time on one desktop) and Mac OS X opertating systems, which I also use regularly.”
Obviously, the choice of operating system is as personal as the choice of device you’re going to run it on. And to be honest, I’ve been very happy with Windows 7 on my MSI Wind netbook. Plus, I tend to live in the browser and let’s face it: Firefox is Firefox whether your running it on Windows, OS X or Ubuntu. But I can’t pass up the opportunity to look at what the Ubuntu team has done in the past six-months. I’m undecided on whether to use the standard desktop edition or the newest Ubuntu Netbook Remix, so maybe I’ll try both. We’re expecting the release candidate of Windows 7 in the near future, so I’d be wiping the Wind clean anyway. After reading about all of the polish and shine there is the newest version of Ubuntu, I might as well wipe the Wind sooner rather than later.
Without the hands-on experience, I can’t say for sure if Ubuntu is now more on par with Windows 7, but I intend to find out. From the sounds of it though, it appears that the Ubuntu team at Canonical have quietly lurked in the shadows like mice while trying to catch up to Microsoft and their lion’s share of the market.
Has anyone jumped on this version of Ubuntu already with their netbooks? Any general thoughts or comparisons that might make me hit the download button even faster?
Been running Win7 on my Dell Mini 9 since the beta was released. Love it and how it runs on the Mini. Like you, I’ve assumed I was going to install the prod version when it was released. However, I installed the U 9.04 USB-stick version yesterday and gave it a good run through and am thoroughly impressed. I got rid of the remix desktop after about 10 minutes as I didn’t have any problem running the regular Gnome desktop on the small screen, and for me, it only got in the way. All the peripherals ran fine, except the wireless which took about 2 minutes of tweaking. OpenOffice 3 ran fine, and Firefox was the same as on Windows. I downloaded and installed WINE and was able to install and run the Windows version of FullTilt Poker without problem (not that I’d ever play for real money). Depending on the cost for the full Win7 version when its released, I would strongly consider U 9.04 instead of Win7 for the Mini.
Thanks Keith, good to know! I’m about 33% complete with my download of 9.04 and I decided to grab the full desktop edition. Based on your commentary, I think I’ve made the right first choice. I’ll likely still look at the Netbook Remix, but it’s probably a better apples to apples comparison for me to use the standard desktop version as compared to Windows 7. Thanks again!
The Netbook remix does include a system preference that switches between the standard desktop and NBR. It also skips on unneeded apps like brassero for CD burning and others.
I had been running a slightly customized build of Intrepid Ibex for a while now on my Eee PC 901 using the Netbook Remix interface. I have loved it and not looked back. Last night , I downloaded and did a fresh install of Jaunty using the Ext4 file system and no swap and have to say that Jaunty Jackelope flies in comparison. Install time, boot time, suspend/resume time, and Firefox all run significantly faster than to previous version.
I am waiting for some more Eee specific updates, but am very happy with the upgrade.
running kubuntu 9.04 on a 1000h. everything works fine “out of the box” incl. wlan and special keys. screen design is way better for netbook screens than win7.
by the way – the ubuntu family covers now almost everything. desktop / server / netbooks / mid’s and arm cpu’s. one system- one philosophy
Has anyone tried any of the usb 3G broadband devices with Ubuntu 9.04? Do they work? Are they easy to set up.
I’m burning my copy of Ubuntu 9.04 right now. After I get it installed, I’ll plug in my USB 727 EV-DO adapter on Verizon’s network and let you know.
Thanks Kevin. I an older seirra wireless 3g device on ATT network. I think its a 575U. If It will work with Ubuntu, I might have to switch.
Wow. Right after the install and first boot, I connected to WiFi with no problem. I expected that. Then I plugged in my USB727. It connected in < 5 seconds. Under the “Mobile Broadband” wireless menu, I now have an “Auto Mobile Broadband (CDMA) Connection” that was automatically detected. No drivers needed and no intervention on my part. Simply plug and play for 3G. MOST impressive!
I tethered a nokia E51 and it detected and worked perfectly straight away on my eee701 (ext4 install, 2gb ram, no swap)….
Runs brilliantly
well, here we go. the kubuntu 9.04 doesn’t recognize my usb modem SPEED UP SU 8300u. It runs ok in kubuntu 8.04 using lcmc. But I’m so frustrated how to make it runs on 9.04. I can’t imagine to switch again back to 8.04.
I’m running the Netbook Remix of 8.10 on my HP Mini 1000 right now and I much prefer it over the full desktop install of Ubuntu, mostly because of the speed.
It boots faster. And I do like the UNR launcher over the standard desktop UI for the small screen.
I’ll be slapping 9.04 on my desktop this weekend most likely. I’ve been running 8.04 on that since it was released.
Here’s my experience of installing OSs on my Fujitsu laptop:
Windows 2000 – check
Windows XP – check
Windows vista – check
Windows 7 beta – check
Linux bully beef or whatever the previous version was – black screen after 10 secs. This was trying to run from USB, CD and trying to install it. Tried other makes of Linux and got the same result.
Gee John, there’s one constant in all of that: you! ;) Just kidding! The obvious constant is the hardware. I wonder what it is about the Fujitsu?
I think it’s the video card. When starting Ubuntu from the live CD, choose Safe Video Mode or whatever it’s named. It should work. The only thing you’ll be missing is the fancy graphic effects, but all the important features should be there for you to try.
If that works, it means your video card doesn’t have a driver for Linux. Safe Video Mode tells Linux to use a generic driver.
On the odd occasion you may have to install a specific driver set, but I haven’t had to do that since 7, and I have a stable build on over a dozen different computers.
The one problem computer I used a standard video package I found from reading the forum and it worked like a charm with only a little configuration (<5 min).
I’ve been pretty dedicated to Microsoft, having a firm background in most major operating systems, but I finally made the jump over to Ubuntu after figuring out most of the software equivalents. The only thing I really have to say there is still a software deficiency for is a proper OneNote solution, specifically with tablet support. Xournal is about the best I’ve come to find so far from over a 10-15 software packages I’ve been through, but it’s far from being a proper Microsoft OneNote replacement, and Wine isn’t yet able to properly run it. :/
Guess it’s just a matter of who’s shit you’re most willing to put up with. For me, Microsoft is at its last stop.
I got about an hour less of battery on Ubuntu 8 (eeebuntu) on my eee… (and it’s running off of SD card, not even HDD)
Wonder if battery is any better in this version. I want at least XP-like battery life before I permanently switch.
I just did an upgrade from the 9.04 beta on my Fujitsu P1620. The ugrade went fine and looks good. The key will be whether I can get the touchscreen working, though.
Bill
The one thing that still really sucks about ‘buntu is email. I loaded Xubuntu 9.04 for the newly touted exchange support in Evolution. Guess what? It didn’t work out of the box (or iso). Once I did get it to work (download the plugins, disable samba (WTF!)), it decided to EAT my inbox, corrupting 6,500 email messages.
No thanks.
Sure you can use Thunderbird for IMAP, but then you get no calander, public folders, etc. I guess if you’re lucky enough to use google for your stuff you’re ok, but I’m on a network domain…
UGH.
I have the same issue and I work in our IT dept. I came up with an acceptable solution for myself:
Install VirtualBox
Install a minimal WindowsXP guest (join to domain if you wish)
Use it only for Outlook — Make sure sound works on the guest
Put it on a separate ‘desktop’
This probably isn’t as neat and clean for everyone but just thought I’d throw it out there.
Had been waiting for JJ and downloaded it yesterday. Plan to be trying it with my HP TC1100. Booted it live yesterday. Was pleased right off the bat that my Wifi worked. Will try it later. My biggest problem will be in getting it to work with the touch screen. Really am getting to like it using WinXP Tablet. Like Bill commented getting touch screen will be a critical issue.
Mike