I'm a big fan of the original EEE PC concept of a simple Linux-based interface on a cheap compact laptop. Unfortunately Asus don't seem to be fans of it any more, and they have replaced Linux with Windows XP on virtually all their new models. For a while they even charged more for the Linux versions than the Windows ones, despite the hardware being identical!

If I buy a new mini-laptop (netbook) it looks like I'd have to install Linux myself, as it won't come pre-installed any more, so which version of Linux should I use?

For example would Ubuntu work okay on the more limited hardware of a cheaper mini-laptop?

And is Xandros easy to install yourself?

I'm not a "power user", especially not on my mini, all I want it for is internet access (browser, skype etc) when I'm on my travels. All I really want from the OS is security and stability along with the ability to run the main internet applications.

Also consider OpenSuse -- it's very lightweight and has a very slick UI. It's also got one of the easiest installers I've ever used.

Tim

Canonical recently released to the public their Ubuntu "netbook-remix" distro when Ubuntu 9.04 was released. It's obviously optimized for smaller screen units (like 1024x600 resolution). The tabbed interface works well for the netbook platform. It's worth your consideration.

That bit about Asus may help Nokia's netbook prospects...

I have one of the original eeePCs with something like 1GB RAM and 8 GB SSD (also 7 inch screen and cramped keyboard). Currently it has cruncheee, which is a Crunchbang implementation of ubuntu 8.10. Crunchbang uses openbox and should be light on resources. Everything works fine. I've tried most of the other distros specifically geared for the eeepc. There is a fluxbox pclinuxos that was nice also, something like fluxfluxeee. Straight ubuntu should also install on the early eeePCs, but I believe a special kernel may be required.

In a pinch, I've edited powerpoint slides over citrix with the eeepc.

Linux works just fine on netbooks, and I would think performs faster than WinXP.

The newer netbooks should be able to take a regular linux distro. Using a light-weight window manager is always a good idea. My advice would be to google for some likely models and see what linux and issues other folks might have had before making your decision.

you should try gOS

as they say, ask 10 linux geeks what distro to use, get 13 suggestions...

I've loaded a couple different flavors onto my wife's eee and she's recently been using Arch (which is what I use on my computers).

It's not what I'd call an "easy" install, but it is simple and well documented (as long as you read the wiki/install guide)

A basic install is little more than the linux kernel itself, and then you add whatever you need from there. I think it's great for machines with limited resources since there is absolutely nothing there that you don't need / didn't install yourself.

Arch+Openbox (or LXDE) = stable, quick, and simple.

LOL, yeah, I was just thinking that... :-)

But choice is nice!

I basically want something I can just install and use, like Ubuntu but perhaps more simplified.

Part of the reason I want it simple is because if it works properly I may suggest it to some non-technical people I know who use mini-laptops.

A lot of ordinary people I know (including one person in their 70s who still has a typewriter!) appreciated the security and simplicity of the Linux-based mini-laptops, but are being bounced into using Windows because there isn't really any choice in computer shops any more.

I know the large simple icons on the EEE PC must have seemed horribly patronising to people on here, but to many users it's exactly what they wanted,

In that case, I'd suggest the Ubuntu netbook remix.
It's simple, easy, and was designed specifically for what you're looking for.