os for email / browseing [Archive]

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peteri

10-31-2003, 08:58 AM

Hi all , I have an old laptop that I want to use just for web browseing / email, can anyone recomend a os that will be better than windows ie quicker (I'm too lazy to upgrade hardware just to retreive email)

Thanks
Pete

Tech1

10-31-2003, 09:08 AM

How big is the hard drive?

peteri

10-31-2003, 10:20 AM

4gb hard drive 333 mhz processor and 32 m of ram

Tech1

10-31-2003, 10:59 AM

I would suggest mandrake 9.1 and turn off some of the graphic features, you have a big enough hard drive for almost any linux install, so up to you and your preference

kilgoretrout

10-31-2003, 12:28 PM

I believe the mdk 9.1 specs require 64 MB of ram for the install program. Your limited ram will be the biggest problem for most modern linux distros and you'll need a light window manager. Unless your willing to upgrade your ram, I'd try vector linux. The install will be a little trickier but it's specifically designed for older hardware and runs well with low ram.
I hate to say it, but given your limited ram, win98 may be your best bet as far as speed goes. Linux needs ram for gui mode and will crawl with 32MB on most of the usual linux guis.