Comparison of netbook-oriented Linux distributions
Encyclopedia
Netbooks are small laptop
s, with screen sizes between approximately 7 and 12 inches and low power consumption. They use either an SSD (solid state disk) or a hard disk
for storage, have up to 2 gigabytes of RAM (but often less), lack an optical disk drive, and usually have USB, Ethernet
, WiFi
and often Bluetooth
connectivity. The name emphasises their use as portable Internet appliances.
s, called netbook distributions, for these machines. All such distributions are optimized for use with small, low-resolution displays. They tend to include a broad mix of VOIP and web-focused tools, including proprietary applications rarely seen installed by default by mainstream desktop distributions. For instance, Nokia
Maemo
and Asus's customized Xandros
both ship with Skype
and Adobe Flash
installed, and Ubuntu's Netbook Edition offers the option to do the same to OEMs.
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
s, with screen sizes between approximately 7 and 12 inches and low power consumption. They use either an SSD (solid state disk) or a hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
for storage, have up to 2 gigabytes of RAM (but often less), lack an optical disk drive, and usually have USB, Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
, WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
and often Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
connectivity. The name emphasises their use as portable Internet appliances.
Netbook distributions
There are special Linux distributionLinux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
s, called netbook distributions, for these machines. All such distributions are optimized for use with small, low-resolution displays. They tend to include a broad mix of VOIP and web-focused tools, including proprietary applications rarely seen installed by default by mainstream desktop distributions. For instance, Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
Maemo
Maemo
Maemo is a software platform developed by the Maemo community for smartphones and Internet tablets. It is based on the Debian Linux distribution, but has no relation to it...
and Asus's customized Xandros
Xandros
Xandros is the name of both a line of operating systems and Xandros Corporation, the company which creates them. Xandros Desktop was a Linux distribution. The name Xandros is derived from the X Window System and the Greek island of Andros....
both ship with Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
and Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
installed, and Ubuntu's Netbook Edition offers the option to do the same to OEMs.
Features
| Distribution | Aim | Creator | Producer | Base distribution | Installed size (MB) | Release date | Interface | Linux Kernel | Default file system | Architecture support | Approximate number of pre-compiled packages | Default package management tools | Default installer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuduntu Fuduntu Fuduntu Linux is a Fedora-based Linux distribution created by Andrew Wyatt. It is designed to fit in somewhere between Fedora and Ubuntu , and, while optimized for netbooks and other portable computers, it is a general-purpose OS.... 14 |
All netbooks | Andrew Wyatt "Fewt" | Fuduntu.org | Fedora Fedora (operating system) Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat... 14 |
2010-01-30 | Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... |
2.6.39 | ext4 | x86 + x86_64 | RPM + YUM Yum - People :*Dong-Kyun Yum , a former boxer from South Korea*Edward Yum is a member of the Hong Kong pro-democracy camp League of Social Democrats... |
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| Joli OS 1.2 (formerly named Jolicloud) |
All netbooks | Joli OS | Joli OS | Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
2011-03-09 | HTML5 + Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... |
? | ext4 | x86 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
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| Debian Eee Pc | Asus Eee PC | Debian | |||||||||||
| Leeenux Linux Leeenux Linux Leeenux Linux is an operating system for netbooks, with a focus on the ASUS Eee PC with 7" screen. It is based on Ubuntu.-Features:* Lightweight compared to other distributions using Ubuntu Netbook Remix* No proprietary software.... v4.0.1 |
ASUS Eee PC ASUS Eee PC The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer line from ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive , and relatively low cost... 7" Screen |
Aleksandar Ciric | Ubuntu Lucid Lynx Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
1.4GB | 2011 | Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... + Netbook Remix |
2.6.32-21 | ext4 | x86 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
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| Puppeee Linux 4.3X | ASUS Eee PCs ASUS Eee PC The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer line from ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive , and relatively low cost... with Intel Chipsets |
Jemimah Ruhala | Puppy Linux 4.3.1 Puppy Linux Puppy Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution that focuses on ease of use. The entire system can be run from RAM, allowing the boot medium to be removed after the operating system has started... |
200MB | Choice of IceWM/OpenBox/Flwm with ROX-Filer/PcManFM/LxLauncher | 2.6.33 | AUFS+SquashFS+EXT2 | Atom/CeleronM | Pet | PetGet | |||
| EasyPeasy 1.6 | All netbooks | EasyPeasy Community | Lingo AS | Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
2010-04-24 | Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... + Netbook Remix |
2.6.32 | ext4 | x86 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
Ubiquity Ubiquity (software) Ubiquity is a simple Linux installer for Ubuntu and its derivatives. It runs on LiveCD and has a Qt frontend and a GTK+ frontend. Ubiquity was first introduced in Ubuntu 6.06 .-Features:* Internationalization support... |
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| Aurora | ASUS Eee PC ASUS Eee PC The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer line from ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive , and relatively low cost... optimized |
Eeebuntu community | Debian Debian Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential... |
2009-05-15 | Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... or Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... + Netbook Remix |
Array kernel (modified kernel) | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
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| CrunchBang Linux CrunchBang Linux CrunchBang Linux is a lightweight Debian based Linux distribution, created by Philip Newborough, designed to offer a good balance of speed and functionality.- Features :... 8.10.02 |
Limited hardware machines | Philip Newborough | Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
2009-01-18 | Openbox Openbox Openbox is a free window manager for the X Window System, licensed under the GNU General Public License. Originally derived from Blackbox 0.65.0 , Openbox has now been totally rewritten in the C programming language and since version 3.0 is not based upon any code from Blackbox.Openbox is designed... |
2.6.27 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
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| Linux4One 1.5 | Aspire One Aspire One Acer Aspire One is a line of subcompact notebook computers, or netbooks, released in July 2008 by Acer Inc.It is based on the Intel Atom platform, which consists of the Intel Atom processor, Intel 945GSE Express chipset and Intel 82801GBM I/O controller, and is available in several shell colors:... optimized |
Linux4One community | Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... or LXDE LXDE LXDE is a free and open source desktop environment for Unix and other POSIX compliant platforms, such as Linux or BSD. The goal of the project is to provide a desktop environment that is fast and energy efficient... |
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| OpenGeeeU OpenGEU OpenGEU is a free computer operating system based upon the popular GNU/Linux distribution, Ubuntu, which in turn is based on Debian Linux.OpenGEU's aim is to successfully combine the power and ease of use of GNOME desktop environment with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy features of the... 8.10 |
Luca De Marini | Easy Peasy Easy Peasy EasyPeasy is a Linux-based operating system for netbooks. EasyPeasy is built upon Debian and Ubuntu, but is customized for low-powered computers and access to web applications. EasyPeasy is maintained as an open source project, yet it uses popular web applications or proprietary software over free... |
2009-03-23 | Enlightenment Enlightenment (window manager) Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE... plus Gnome GNOME GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software... |
2.6.27 | ext3 | x86 | 26000 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
Ubiquity Ubiquity (software) Ubiquity is a simple Linux installer for Ubuntu and its derivatives. It runs on LiveCD and has a Qt frontend and a GTK+ frontend. Ubiquity was first introduced in Ubuntu 6.06 .-Features:* Internationalization support... |
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| Firefly Linux 1.0 Beta 1 | Firefly Linux community | Arch Linux Arch Linux Arch Linux is an independently developed, Linux-based operating system for i686 and x86-64 computers. It is composed predominantly of free and open source software, and supports community involvement.... |
LXDE LXDE LXDE is a free and open source desktop environment for Unix and other POSIX compliant platforms, such as Linux or BSD. The goal of the project is to provide a desktop environment that is fast and energy efficient... |
2.6.29.4 | x86 | Pacman | |||||||
| Kuki Linux Kuki Linux Kuki Linux is a lightweight Ubuntu based distribution. It was created to be a replacement for the Fedora based Linpus Linux distribution bundled with the Acer Aspire One. It is built with the aim of being lightweight, fast, and being optimized for netbooks... 2.0 |
Aspire One Aspire One Acer Aspire One is a line of subcompact notebook computers, or netbooks, released in July 2008 by Acer Inc.It is based on the Intel Atom platform, which consists of the Intel Atom processor, Intel 945GSE Express chipset and Intel 82801GBM I/O controller, and is available in several shell colors:... optimized |
Kuki Linux community | Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
XFCE Xfce Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms... |
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| Midinux | All netbooks | Red Flag Linux Red Flag Linux Red Flag Linux is a Chinese Linux distribution developed by Red Flag Software. Red Flag's logo is Tux carrying a prominent red flag.The current executive president of Red Flag Software is Jia Dong .-Description:... |
2007 | ext3 | x86 | ||||||||
| MeeGo MeeGo MeeGo is a Linux-based open source mobile operating system project. Primarily targeted at mobile devices and information appliances in the consumer electronics market, MeeGo is designed to act as an operating system for hardware platforms such as netbooks, entry-level desktops, nettops, tablet... 1.2 |
Intel Atom Intel Atom Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices... processor netbooks, Nokia ARM smartphones |
Intel, Nokia Nokia Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki... , Maemo Maemo Maemo is a software platform developed by the Maemo community for smartphones and Internet tablets. It is based on the Debian Linux distribution, but has no relation to it... community |
Intel, Nokia Nokia Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki... , Linux Foundation Linux Foundation The Linux Foundation is a non-profit technology consortium chartered to foster the growth of Linux.Founded in 2007 by the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group , the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading... |
None (it is a distribution developed out of Maemo and Moblin) | 2010-10-28 | "Netbook User Experience" (based on Clutter) | 2.6.35 | btrfs Btrfs Btrfs is a GPL-licensed copy-on-write file system for Linux.Development began at Oracle Corporation in 2007.... |
x86 with SSSE3 SSSE3 Supplemental Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 is a SIMD instruction set created by Intel and is the fourth iteration of the SSE technology.- History :... support |
RPM RPM Package Manager RPM Package Manager is a package management system. The name RPM variously refers to the .rpm file format, files in this format, software packaged in such files, and the package manager itself... |
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| Moblin 2.1 | All Intel Atom Intel Atom Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices... processor netbooks and MID |
Intel | Intel/Linux Foundation Linux Foundation The Linux Foundation is a non-profit technology consortium chartered to foster the growth of Linux.Founded in 2007 by the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group , the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading... |
None (borrows components for various distributions) | 2009-11-04 | Clutter Clutter (computing) Clutter is an open source graphics library for creating hardware-accelerated user interfaces. It relies upon OpenGL or OpenGL ES for rendering, can be compiled on different platforms and has multiple bindings to other languages... |
RPM RPM Package Manager RPM Package Manager is a package management system. The name RPM variously refers to the .rpm file format, files in this format, software packaged in such files, and the package manager itself... (may change) |
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| Eeedora | ASUS Eee PC ASUS Eee PC The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer line from ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive , and relatively low cost... 701 |
Martin Andrews | Fedora Fedora (operating system) Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat... |
XFCE Xfce Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms... |
RPM RPM Package Manager RPM Package Manager is a package management system. The name RPM variously refers to the .rpm file format, files in this format, software packaged in such files, and the package manager itself... |
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| Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.10 | Intel Atom Intel Atom Intel Atom is the brand name for a line of ultra-low-voltage x86 and x86-64 CPUs from Intel, designed in 45 nm CMOS and used mainly in netbooks, nettops, embedded application ranging from health care to advanced robotics and Mobile Internet devices... processor netbooks |
Canonical Ltd. Canonical Ltd. Canonical Ltd. is a private company founded by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth to market commercial support and related services for Ubuntu Linux and related projects. Canonical is registered in London and employs staff around the world... |
Canonical Ltd. Canonical Ltd. Canonical Ltd. is a private company founded by South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth to market commercial support and related services for Ubuntu Linux and related projects. Canonical is registered in London and employs staff around the world... |
Ubuntu Ubuntu (operating system) Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu... |
2010-10-10 | Unity | 2.6.32 | x86 | 32000 | APT Advanced Packaging Tool The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants... |
Specific features
| Distribution | Target boot time | SSD write optimization (SSD degradation, I/O optimization, etc.) | Specific supported hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joli OS 1.2 | |||
| Leeenux Linux Leeenux Linux Leeenux Linux is an operating system for netbooks, with a focus on the ASUS Eee PC with 7" screen. It is based on Ubuntu.-Features:* Lightweight compared to other distributions using Ubuntu Netbook Remix* No proprietary software.... v3.0 |
30s (900 MHz) | Yes | |
| Puppeee Linux 4.3X | 30s | Layered filesystem - caches writes in RAM | Lightweight kernel compiled for EeePCs only |
| EasyPeasy 1.6 | |||
| Aurora 3.0 | |||
| Linux4One 1.5 | 40 seconds | ||
| OpenGeeeU OpenGEU OpenGEU is a free computer operating system based upon the popular GNU/Linux distribution, Ubuntu, which in turn is based on Debian Linux.OpenGEU's aim is to successfully combine the power and ease of use of GNOME desktop environment with the lightweight, and graphical eye candy features of the... 8.10 |
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| Firefly Linux 1.0 Beta 1 | |||
| Kuki Linux Kuki Linux Kuki Linux is a lightweight Ubuntu based distribution. It was created to be a replacement for the Fedora based Linpus Linux distribution bundled with the Acer Aspire One. It is built with the aim of being lightweight, fast, and being optimized for netbooks... 2.0 |
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| Moblin 2.0 | 5 seconds | ||
| Eeedora | |||
| Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.10 |