Ubuntu Qs: laptop/32vs64

[EarpWJ]

I want to dual boot my laptop with ubuntu and vista. Why does ubuntu recommend 32bit? Compatibility?

I am mostly just using ubuntu for school (openoffice/gimp/browser), but am worried that I read that there are no controls for battery saving, and since I use my laptop in class I cant always get a power outlet. Is there any way to get vista like power saving?

For the use I described above, would narwhal or lynx be better for me?

 

[chamaecyparis]

I would recommend Vista Home Basic 32-bit and xubuntu 10.04.2 LTS for laptop dual-boot, along with EasyBCD

 

[Ijack]

I want to dual boot my laptop with ubuntu and vista. Why does ubuntu recommend 32bit?

Just as a matter of interest, where do they make that recommendation?

 

[Pyroflea]

Just as a matter of interest, where do they make that recommendation?

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

Under the download options it says "32-bit (recommended)" for some reason.

 

[Ijack]

So they do. Probably because they know that will work on most any PC whereas 64-bit will only work on certain processors.

 

[EarpWJ]

I would recommend Vista Home Basic 32-bit and xubuntu 10.04.2 LTS for laptop dual-boot, along with EasyBCD

any reason 11.04 over 10.04? Is it just because LTS?

 

[chamaecyparis]

any reason 11.04 over 10.04? Is it just because LTS?

The major reason is contained in ubuntu documentation on Maverick Meerkat

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MaverickMeerkat/ReleaseNotes --

§Linux kernel 2.6.35

"With 10.10 we have also dropped support for i586 and lower processors, as well as i686 processors without cmov support."

Something all potential *buntu users should be made aware of, especially if desiring to install these distros on older hardware.

 

[EarpWJ]

The major reason is contained in ubuntu documentation on Maverick Meerkat

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MaverickMeerkat/ReleaseNotes --

§Linux kernel 2.6.35

"With 10.10 we have also dropped support for i586 and lower processors, as well as i686 processors without cmov support."

Something all potential *buntu users should be made aware of, especially if desiring to install these distros on older hardware.

Thanks for the help so far all!

So if my laptop has a core2duo T9300 2.5ghz, this shouldn't matter to me? Any reason then for me not to go with narwhal?

If you havent noticed I am a noob to ubuntu, only tired it out for about a week before.

 

[chamaecyparis]

No, it should not matter. However, if quickness in your laptop is a priority, I would suggest going with the new peppermintTwo @ http://peppermintos.com/download/.
Based on lubuntu 11.04, it is focused on Cloud Computing. However, do not let this put you off.

I take out what I do not want (apt-get remove whatever) and add what I want (apt-get -f install whatever).

It is worth checking out!

Alternatively, you may choose to go with Xubuntu 11.04, "Natty Narwhal." Again, the reason I recommend the Desktop Environments LXDE (peppermint) and XFCE (xubuntu) is speed on a laptop. See the below, FYI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment

I hope it is also seen why stating your system specs up front is helpful.

Best wishes!

 

[MarkG]

So they do. Probably because they know that will work on most any PC whereas 64-bit will only work on certain processors.

I don't know of any current desktop PC which doesn't have a 64-bit CPU (there may be some weird ones, but I haven't seen them), but there are a lot of netbooks which can only run 32-bit.

 

[Ijack]

No. But I know plenty of people who install Linux on older PCs.

 

[zeu5]

So to answer the original question about 32-bit vs. 64-bit;
Your processor, the Intel Core 2 Duo T9300, is one of Intel's 64-bit processor. So really, to take advantage of the full speed capabilities of your processor, you should use a 64-bit OS. I don't think there's much of a power difference in 32- and 64-bit either, since it's the same processor anyway. And in reference to your question about operating systems, I suggest Linux Mint (http://www.linuxmint.com/). It's an Ubuntu-based distro that is very customizable and, in my opinion, more user-friendly than the default Ubuntu install.