Games, Web Apps, Business Intelligence

Yesterday I received an Acer Aspire One netbook that I bought on Ebay. It has an 8Gb solid-state harddrive and 512Mb RAM. The operating system is Linpus Linux which I originally thought would be great since I prefer Linux to anything else. Unfortunately, Linpus Linux is like Linux for Dummies - you get a limited number of menu icons to access standard programs like Firefox, Open Office, etc. But all the great features of Linux are hidden.

I immediately downloaded a copy of Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 to a windows computer and used the usb-creator program that comes with it to create a bootable USB flash drive with the Ubuntu ISO image. When the flash drive was ready, I booted the netbook with it and ran it live from the flash drive to test it before I installed it to the computer.

The only issue I seem to have is with the WiFi light not working. This isn't an issue since there is a WiFi icon in the top toolbar that tells me what I need to know. Linpus Linux booted in an amazing 14 seconds, but now with a full version of Linux it takes 34 seconds to boot (very happy with that speed for a full operating system). Shutdown slowed from 12 seconds to 14 with the new OS.

It is amazing that Ubuntu Netbook Remix works great on the Acer Aspire One right out of the box. The Ubuntu team sure has my vote.

I recommend installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 on any supported netbook. The list of supported netbooks can be found here.