which desktop?

[davidwillis]

I know there are a lot of topics on this, but here is another one.

My wife has a laptop (it is an older toshiba satalite with celeron 1.4ghz and ram is maxed out at 1 gb).  She has been using the regular kde3 version for a long time, and is used to it.  But she does complain that her computer is slow (its not that slow, she complains more when she is running windows xp on it), so I don't think I want to update hers to kde4.

My question is, which desktop would be the fastest, and yet not make it too hard for her to figure out.  I am guessing lxde would be the fastest, but will it make much of a difference?  I like kde4 a lot, and I also like gnome.  I have less experience with lxde and xfce, but I am sure they would both be fine once I got used to them.  But I would only want to try to get used to them if they really use less system resources.  If not, I will go to kde4 once it is really ready, or gnome.

Thanks
David

[multios]

Can't believe no other answers yet, but you'll be pleasantly surprised with either lxde or xfce. I use lxde but have used xfce. Devs have done great work on both.

[scoundrel]

kinda like xfce made it look a bit like kde and I am using it on an older puter and its pretty snappy

[davidwillis]

Thanks guys.... I am more familiar with xfce because I have used it a little, so maybe I will go for it.  BTW, all of the desktop versions look great.

[thorper]

lxde looks and feels like kde3 although I did change the web browser on my setup to seamonkey

[ebvt]

I decided on LXDE after a stubborn old Thinkpad just did not want to accept Gnome. I was elated about how the wireless feature worked just about out of the box and while still on LiveCD. Great Desktop!

ebvt

[Georgetoon]

I decided on LXDE after a stubborn old Thinkpad just did not want to accept Gnome. I was elated about how the wireless feature worked just about out of the box and while still on LiveCD. Great Desktop!

ebvt

I'm leaning towards LXDE myself.  but no verdict yet.  I like LXDE because it dos have tht KDE 3.5feel to it.  tere are some things driving me nuts,htough. Panel customizatind oes not appear to be as complete as KDE.  Plus, still haven't figured out how a window can cover a panel.  I also miss panel handles.  but, it may grow on me.

[Rudge]

georgetoon, try going to "Panel Preferances / Advanced" and checking on "Minimize panel when not in use". That's the best thing I can see for your concern.

[davidwillis]

thanks guys, booting up phoenix right now (live cd).... wow it looks nice.... I think I will play with this for a little bit

They all look so good it is hard to pick one.

[davidwillis]

I still have not made the switch on my wifes computer, but am going to try phoenix when she lets me (she is still hesitant to let me change her computer)...LOL

But I have another question.  My brother (who has never used linux) has an old computer that is in sad shape (running windows has viruses, etc).  He has other computers, and just wants this one to use the internet, and run word and Excel (his words).  I am thinking he will be fine with firefox, and openoffice.  However his computer only has 224 MB of ram!

I want something that will be easy for him to use, and has all the codecs to play flash and youtube, etc.  I am thinking pclinuxos LXDE.  But will that be ok on that machine?  Or should I try something like puppy?  And is there anything else easier on ram than open office that will open and save in Excel and word format if needed?

thanks
David

[gseaman]

abiword and gnumeric should do the job. 224mb ram should do the job for lxde if you set up a swap partition. I can't get it to boot with 128 mb, but I have no swap partition configured.

Galen

[Crow]

I'm with gseaman in this, you will run LXDE but if you can try to add more memory.

[thorper]

I still have not made the switch on my wifes computer, but am going to try phoenix when she lets me (she is still hesitant to let me change her computer)...LOL

But I have another question.  My brother (who has never used linux) has an old computer that is in sad shape (running windows has viruses, etc).  He has other computers, and just wants this one to use the internet, and run word and Excel (his words).  I am thinking he will be fine with firefox, and openoffice.  However his computer only has 224 MB of ram!

I want something that will be easy for him to use, and has all the codecs to play flash and youtube, etc.  I am thinking pclinuxos LXDE.  But will that be ok on that machine?  Or should I try something like puppy?  And is there anything else easier on ram than open office that will open and save in Excel and word format if needed?

thanks
David

With such a small amount of ram I would look at LXDE. A basic system will run comfortably in 224MB. If you find this too bulky then puppy will fly (not literally)

Have you considered adding more memory to both your wife's and brothers laptops?

[davidwillis]

Thanks for the information.  It looks like I will give LXDE a shot, and if that is too slow, I will try puppy.

My wifes computer is maxed out (it will not take anymore ram).  And my brother, I am not sure, but I don't think he wants to put anymore money into his old computer.  I will mention it to him though.  I think with some more ram it could run much better.

[T6]

"so I don't think I want to update hers to kde4"

my system is 1280 mbs of ram, a semprom at 1600 mhz and a old video card

kde4 runs exactly the same in this machine compared to kde3

talking about speed

to load and use, xfce4 and lxde are two good options

gnome can be a option too, with some modifications it behaves similar to kde3

i would suggest you to let her see a system with this four desktops installed, close one and open other, let her test, compare, she could find kde4 perfect for her or could enjoy from lxde

don't forget to try e17!