Arch Linux

shva

Member

Registered: 2009-04-25

Posts: 13

[solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

Hi everyone. I just get  a  new netbook. I know Ubuntu Netbook Remix is out there, but it still seems a little bloated for such a small machine. So I am considering to try archlinux. But one issue I am not sure about is the processor. My netbook comes with Intel Atom processor, but arch is for i686 or 64-bit. I certainly will not try 64-bit version, but is i686 architecture suitable for Intel Atom? Has anyone had such kind of experience of running arch in netbook? Thank you.

Last edited by shva (2009-04-30 13:42:56)

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

A simple search of the forums would have given you threads where users have installed Arch on EEEs Acer Ones etc. And those threads have multiple pages...indicating there are many ppl who have done so.

Atom is an i686 - 32 bit processor...and so yes, you will be able to use only the i686. x86_64 will not install on your netbook.

Last edited by Inxsible (2009-04-29 02:18:40)

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Wilco

Member

Registered: 2008-11-09

Posts: 440

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

An atom processor can be compared to a celeron processor. So arch will run fine and you have the choice too make it as bloated as ubuntu or as light as only a window manager or terminal

scio

Member

From: Buffalo, NY

Registered: 2008-08-05

Posts: 366

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

I have tried Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Ubuntu, Eeebuntu, Easy Peasy, Chakra, and vanilla Arch on my Eee (with an Atom processor).  There are a few minor things that do not work quite right since the Atom is a newer processor (like slowing down the the processor bus to reduce power usage), but overall they will all work.  Chakra is a full blown KDE4 install and it works wonderfully on my netbook, so don't worry about things being too bloated.  But as Wilco said, if you really want speed you can stick with a simple window manager and avoid graphical interfaces to basic command utilities.

loudtiger

Member

Registered: 2009-01-08

Posts: 68

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

i'd say so. check out the Laptop Issues section of this forum. another distro i recommend for netbooks/slower laptops is crunchbang/cruncheee linux. it's based on a stripped ubuntu + openbox set up. but arch will definitely do well too.

EVRAMP

Member

From: Czech Republic

Registered: 2008-10-03

Posts: 173

Website

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

I have got this little kid few months ago and Arch runs with gnome, xfce, lxde and *boxes just fine.
If you are looking for some menu like ubuntu remix, install netbook-launcher from AUR or try lxde-launcher.
The only problem running on netbook is that some fullscreen games can't run on 1024*600, so you run them on 800*600, but that's not Arch related problem in fact.

shva

Member

Registered: 2009-04-25

Posts: 13

Re: [solved] is archlinux suitable for netbook?

Thank all of you:)