This one took me exactly one day to decide. I have the 16 GB SSD based version of the HP Mini. I originally put Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR) onto it, but one of the things I've always coveted about Linux was the idea of "workspaces", and with a small screen that seems even more useful. UNR didn't have it (at least out of the box), and the standard install did. I put the standard install on and haven't looked back.
Two hardware issues had to be resolved:
- The wireless drivers had to be updated. Because they are not "free and open source" they don't come with the install, but Ubuntu will actually prompt you to install them. To installs with the ethernet lan connected, one machine reset, and voila - Wireless connectivity with WPA2 encryption. I love it when stuff just works.
- Internal microphone for use with Skype / sound recording. This one took some digging, but was easy once I found the answer.On the speaker think on the top tool bar, select sound preferences, and "Line in/Line in" as the source. Then open a terminal window (CTRL ALT T) and start alsamixer. Hit TAB to go to second page and crank up Capture volume. You'll can tell your on the right track with the "Line in/Line In" as if you tap the speaker, you get the taps, but not enough gain to hear your voice. I tested with Skype echo call and got good results once both the abover were done.
I've done a number of tweaks to get the best (for me) out of the Mini. I made both top and bottom toolbars "Autohide". This actually seems to work in Ubuntu. Vista used to drive me absolutely bonkers with this performance detail. I never could wrap my mind around how the decision to auto hide was being executed. In Ubuntu, it works just the way I think it should... the bar is freakin' hidden until I mouse down to it. Simple. I'd better stop or I'll start poaching into another post about simplicity versus complexity and reliability. That's another entry.
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