Newbie questions about Drivers and Performance Installing Linux

O

ofirnak91

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Hello I'm new to the whole Linux OS overall concept and I'm just figuring it out before installing it for the first time :)

My dad's laptop has 1 GB of RAM and 1.5 GHz (Atom) and barely runs windows 7 starter ..
In case I wanted to install Linux Mint/Ubuntu:

1. Is Linux installs itself with Internet Drivers? or should I download those first?
2. Windows 7 starter is Built-in the laptop, knowing it takes resources from the computer anyway, would installing Linux still get better performance?
- On the same assumption is "Fresh Installation" still available? If not - what's the best alternative?
3. Can anyone post an - easy to understand - link for how to divide the partitions?

Thanks in advance!!!
 


Hey there - welcome to Linux Forum!

Do you know the laptop brand/model? From what i've seen, if it came with Windows 7, Linux should perform well on it..

Post up the brand/model of it and we'll see what others have experienced with it..
 
Hey Rob thank you and also thanks for the quick reply :)

actually I want to install Linux on 3 (same level) different Laptops:
ASUS eee pc (1 GB RAM, 1.5 GHz, atom CPU) running windows 7 starter.
DELL INSPIRON mini (1 GB RAM, 1.66 GHz, atom CPU) running windows 7 starter.
HP Pavilion dv6000 (1 GB RAM, 1.8 GHz, don't know what CPU) running windows vista home premium.

All run very poorly that's why I want to install Linux on them.
 
Thanks again Rob but I still didn't quite got some things:
1. is Linux installs itself WITH internet drivers?
2. would Linux still produce better performance even knowing windows 7 is built-in (no fresh install)?
 
No problem...

1. Yes, Linux does in most cases pair up the best drivers with your hardware during install
2. The laptops should seem quicker with Linux on them when comparing to Windows.
 
Awesome thanks! and about section 2:
should seem quicker EVEN IF it's not a Fresh Install (use partitions.. windows 7 is built-in)?
 
Yep - Linux doesn't care if windows is on another partition or drive in the same machine.. Windows won't be running at the time that Linux is running if you are doing a dual-boot..
 
I really don't think you will have issues with the HP. I always go with HP/Compaq, never had issues so far. Just make sure to use the newest kernel. ;)
 
That was not only helpful for you but also for the rest of us..i am actually a noob to linux as well..so it helped a lot..
 
As a follow up, I got the Broadcom Wireless on the Dell Latitude, I set up recently, to work very easily with the latest Ubuntu.

IIRC, it just worked right away after I downloaded and installed the proper driver from the repository.
 

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