Sabayon Linux on Laptop Review

I came across a laptop (Compaq Presario 2100) that needed a little TLC. I’m relatively laptop happy right now, but I’ve been yearning for a Linux laptop. My life has changed. I’ve only got two desktops right now - one dedicated as a “family machine” and one dedicated as my three year old son’s machine.

Truth be told: I never use desktops anymore. I’ve gone completely laptop. I’ve installed Linux on laptops several times in the past (beginning in 2000 when it was really ugly to do). I use Windblows most of the time, but - as you know if you read this blog - I think Microsoft just doesn’t get it. I’m also not ready to take the Leopard plunge.

My tried and true method for obtaining Linux is to get a magazine that has a complete distro attached. It’s usually between $10 and $20 plus you get the magazine to get back up to date. (I used Linux exclusively for my M.S. from 2000 to 2003, but use it mainly for work now).

In the early years (no wife, no kids, no dogs), I would spend days installing, tweaking, configuring to get everything right. Today….I have no patience. That is the CRUCIAL piece to understanding this review. My goal is to insert a DVD into the laptop, run the install with minimal involvement, and wind up with a laptop that RECOGNIZES MY WIRELESS NETWORK!!!!!!

Unfortunately, Saboyon failed to mount the CDROM drive. It failed to mount the drive that it was reading from and sent me to a command prompt. Yes. I know that I was probably one command from continuing with the install, but that would have violated the goal of this mission. I give Sabayon linux a big thumbs down for not running through a clean install on a couple year old laptop. Cool logo though.

Next - an old SUSE 10 CD that has been laying around since I experimented on a desktop a year ago.

http://www.sabayonlinux.org/

Wise Man Say, “Only Hour Spent, Lots more to come with Linux.”