To supplement storage space with the initial purchase of the Aspire One (8 GB SSD version), I bought a 16 GB Transcend TS16GBSDHC6 card that integrates nicely into the left card slot. The pre-installed Linux Linpus just wasn't what I needed since I use many networking tools at work and at home. I initially ran Ubuntu 8.041 with the /home partition on the 16 GB SDHC card. I discovered Eeebuntu while searching for information on how to boot and run Linux off a SDHC card. The goal was of multi-boot installations of Ubuntu, with one install specifically loaded with the tools I use at work. The Acer Aspire One BIOS does not 'see' the card, so you can't boot from it using the [F12] startup key (More on the SDHC boot up further in this article).
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Member since:2005-09-17
It comes with a fully working Linpus install and, ideally, you shouldn't need anymore than that.
Sure, you should never need OXML support for OpenOffice, or update Firefox and stay with an obsolete and unsecure version, or connect to any sort of LAN and share files, or update the bazillion OS components that have received bug fixes since the Acer Aspire One was released, or pretty much install anything, for that matter.
Should Microsoft be the maker of the version of Linpus that comes with the thing, people would be bashing them with no mercy. And IMHO with all reason.
Note: I have the Linpus version, and will not bother swapping the thing if it requires tweaks and headaches for another that almost works . I am happy with it as is, because it is merely a typewriter to me. Still I did spent more time than I wanted to going through the all the loops required to update Firefox, OO, or to install Skype, Pidgin, Thunderbird and doing other minor tweaks I dare you to ask my parents or non-savy friends to mimic.
The thing, as it comes, is just subpar.
Edited 2009-01-09 08:29 UTC
Member since:2006-09-22
I don't have one of these devices so I can't tell how good or bad the OS actually is. From what you're telling me, I gather it's kinda sucky.
My point was that changing the OS of a non-standard device like most Netbooks will always prove annoying, no matter the OS you're trying to put in it.
Member since:2008-10-23
Your parents probably couln't install anything on Windows either.
If they can't use synaptic, how do you expect them to install windows software and type a long string of random characters to activate it after registering email and account on the web site? And all that without getting any virus or getting their credit card number stolen in the process?
Linpus linux, JUST LIKE ANY OS, requires learning to be used with full power. It's not any harder than Windows, it really isn't. It is just that you aren't used to it.
Now just try to install Windows on a SDHC and tell me how easy it is...
Edited 2009-01-09 15:18 UTC
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Member since:
2006-09-22
No, most people stick with the OS that came preloaded with the device. It comes with a fully working Linpus install and, ideally, you shouldn't need anymore than that. If you don't like it and are not willing to put some effort to change it, don't buy the device.
Putting XP or OSX into the thing would also require some fiddling around, specially OSX.