What Is OzBargainers' Best Linux?

Hi everybody, I was thinking with that many distributions out there,

which one is Ozbargainers' favourite? which version? why?

I assume most of you are using Linux, as a free OS!?
I use Ubuntu but mainly work with Centos not very happy specially with the last one, 7.
also if you like to answer, what is the cheapest laptop for Linux jobs?

mainly for heavy scientific computing or graphical visualisations?

Good CPU, good GPU, good screen maybe 4k? the rest is not that important.
Have a look here if you don't remember their names.
here is a full list.

Comments

  • +2

    You mention CentOS, which is an awesome server distribution for stability, but a bad choice for your usage. When I had CentOS 6.4, there was no support for something as simple as a Logitech Unifying USB.

    I currently run the latest OpenSUSE distribution on a HP Gen8 MicroServer (outputting Full-HD via a cheapy 5450 graphics card to a TV when needed).

    Use a Ubuntu Live USB as a starting point. The desktop interface makes me vomit, but I think it may suit your 'desktop' purposes best.

    I can't comment on PC recommendation for you.

    • Thanks but I dont want to change my OS just not very happy. Ubuntu is not bad. My server PCs are Ok, I need to change the laptop.

  • +4

    windows 7 cant game much on linux.

    • +3

      Haha not the best option for gaming!

    • That's changing very rapidly. Steam now has over 1000 games available with Linux support. I've been gaming more and more on Linux, to the point where I haven't booted my Windows partition for about 4 months.

      Current game: Pillars of Eternity, from Obsidian Entertainment. Thoroughly recommended if you like Baldur's Gate style games.

      • Battlefield 4?

  • +9

    I assume most of you are using Linux, as a free OS!?

    Hmmm. Yes I think many here are using Linux — on the phone though (Android).

    I use Ubuntu but mainly work with Centos not very happy specially with the last one, 7.

    I use mostly Ubuntu on the desktop/laptop, and Debian on the servers.

    also if you like to answer, what is the cheapest laptop for Linux jobs?

    2nd hand ThinkPad T or X series.

    • +1

      Yes I think many here are using Linux — on the phone though

      I know thats Why I gave the Desktop link.

      I use mostly Ubuntu on the desktop/laptop, and Debian on the servers.

      Same here, but not debian used it couple of times not very impressed

      2nd hand ThinkPad T or X series.

      Thanks, I am thinking of something cheaper like dell maybe, can't trust a second hand laptop.

      • +2

        If Dell, they have the latest XPS 13 developer edition that's preloaded with Ubuntu 14.04 but (1) pretty expensive, (2) not sure whether you can buy it from Dell AU.

      • +3

        Debian is only impressive if you value uptime.

        • +3

          along with easy updates and package installs..

    • +2

      We can upvote mod's now?!?

      Sorry, OT.

  • +3

    Ubuntu… at uni we used kubuntu which was okay. Mint is good too

    Debian gets all the girls.

    I use chromeos for a couple of hours every day

    • +8

      Debian gets all the girls.

      Base on this comment, Debian's ranking on DistroWatch is going to shoot through the roof tomorrow.

      • +5

        With an endorsement by ozbargains most eligible bachelor, i'm sure it will ;)

    • +13

      I get root on Debian all the time ;)

  • +5

    mint did it for me

    but in the end, windows 7 worked out better

  • +2

    Currently happily using Linux Mint with Scilab and Matlab working fine.
    What is cheap for you? There are alot of second hand laptops in gumtree.
    What programs are you trying to run?

    • What is cheap for you?

      I think less than $1k is cheap, but depends on hardware maybe more for something really good, maybe $2k is cheap!

      There are a lot of second hand laptops in gumtree.

      2nd hand laptop makes me feel having tummy pain! you never know how many hours it takes to see something is wrong.

      What programs are you trying to run?

      Mostly scientific calculations, modelling, data processing, things that normally is beeing processed by HPCC (High Performance Computing on cluster), but don't mind a small job running on my laptop for a few hours!

      • +3

        I don't think 2k can ever be cheap, unless you mean a car or an overseas holiday

        • ok, you find me a workstation laptop with Intel core i7, more than 4 cores, more than 8m cache, at around 3.5 to 4Ghz and gtx 860m for less than 1k and have my current laptop for free delivered anywhere in Australia!!

        • +2

          @pal:

          I'd be in that deal too. However, I also need 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. On the other hand, I'm flexible on the graphics, Intel HD would do me just fine.

        • +1

          @pal: my perspective if that if you really need all that power, buy/build yourself a desktop workstation and remote in from a relatively thin client (I use a tf810) that you take on the road. You will benefit from 15hr battery life and come out with possibly 1k in spare change.

          As a side note there is a lot less chance you will do your crown jewels any damage if you are the type to use your laptop on your lap :-)

        • @peteru: Well I know, my plan is to upgrade RAM and SSD as I have the parts!

        • @pal:

          So you dont want a "cheap" laptop you want a top of the range laptop for a cheaper cost than retail?

        • @esotericizm: yes, that's right

      • +1

        If those are your tasks, why would you get a laptop? Makes no sense. Never heard of SSH?

        • +1

          Not sure about the needs and requirements that @pal has, but I need to often build and rebuild huge software distributions in the field. More often than not, there is no connectivity to any network. If you don't bring it with you, you can't fix things on the day. A slow laptop will do an incremental rebuild for a point-fix in around 2 hours, compared to a desktop/workstation that takes under 1/2 hour.

        • +1

          @peteru: OK, well said.
          I have 2 super fast workstation desktops, each with 2 core i7 quad cores CPUs 12Mb L3 cache in each CPU, (8 cores with 24m cache/PC) with 24GB RAM. Normally they are busy running jobs, and you don't wanna use your precious allocated time on HPC Clusters for small jobs, on top of that not there is always internet available and you dont wanna upload-download multi GB files frequently! or sometimes you just wanna look at a huge graphical 3D structure.
          Believe me you would benefit of a fast and reliable Laptop better than a piece of joke that walks on your nerves.
          So if you found that cheap workstation laptop let me know :)

        • +1

          @pal: Keep an eye out at Dell outlet? Currently I only see refurbished Precision laptops but it just depends on whether someone ordered too many.
          http://www.dell.com/learn/au/en/audhs1/campaigns/dell-outlet…

  • +2

    I personally use Ubuntu with Gnome.

    • Yes I use Ubuntu with Gnome too unity makes me want to jump off a tall building.

  • +2

    My free software hipster friends are all using Arch. Having found Debian the best for servers, I like the Arch mindset.
    But I am using OSX on my main computer.

  • +2

    Ubuntu guest, Windows 8.1 host.

  • +1

    linux mint + a gui of your preference (i use cinnamon)

  • +1

    For a good system. Probably a dual boot Linux and Windows setup if you want gaming or the flexibility of running other applications as well.

    • have that too

  • +7

    Xubuntu - benefits of Ubuntu community without the heavy UI

    • +3

      yup, ubuntu has the most support on the web out of all the distros, though unity is pretty bad imo…

      • +4

        pretty bad is an understatement.

    • +1

      Also check out Ubuntu MATE:

      https://ubuntu-mate.org/

      Also quite lightweight and it has become a part of the official Ubuntu family.

      It has a more traditional look to it.

      • +1

        Just started using Mate 15.04, with Plank (the eleven layout) gotta say I like Wimpy's work but gnome2 seems a step back in time though I loved it once, much like I loved KDE before it, it's time to move on. But to where, this is the question…

        Gnome 3.16?? Or back to Unity - boring but great for my flow. However Mate showed me Tilda, I'll never use another terminal again..

        • +1

          Why not cinnamon. It's modern and customisable. You can install it in on Ubuntu.

  • +1

    Ubuntu, latest LTS version.

  • +1

    Ubuntu LTS in the Azure cloud, minibian on the raspberry pi at home. Other than that it's Windows and Android.

  • +1

    Zorin 9 if you're newer to Linux. Otherwise Mint 17 xfce or Mint 17.1
    I have Ubuntu 14, with an application that allows me to change the gui from unity back to several other guis styles on login.
    Personally I don't like unity, each to their own though.

  • +2

    I like Linux Mint 17 xfce as well, on an old laptop, but am also a fan of Win 8.1 pro for general use. In the past, I would have said the distribution that works with my wireless network card or other hardware. I have played with Linux a lot in the past, and sometimes would be driven crazy by the discovery that the latest release of distro X would not work with my wifi or LG DVD drive or not work with something else, even when the previous version did. This has always been the issue most disregarded with Linux distros, and has driven me from distro to distro. I do not use Linux for work at all, only personal use. For a server, I agree with mskeggs:"Debian is only impressive if you value uptime." For personal or desktop use, the version of Linux Mint that floats your boat, or PCLinuxOS or Zorin, as everything is more likely to work, and for personal use, the experience should work and be fun. In my opinion, Debian is too restrictive when it comes to applications for personal use, and I am a GUI fan, the more gooey the better. The cheapest laptop for Linux jobs would be a used or demonstration laptop bought at an online auction. Last year, I bought a Lenovo ex-demo laptop via an online auction, and it turned out to be a great buy, completely unused and in mint condition for about $150, or it may have been reimaged, but the screen said preparing to run Windows for the first time when I turned it on. This was for a machine that retailed for about $1500, if memory serves me right, as Lenovo is not cheap.Look for the ex-demo tag online. I believe that the Linux desktop will remain on the fringe, just for personal use, until it is possible to run the latest version of MS Office and a distro will work every time with recent hardware. Apple fans hate being reminded of the fact that Apple was dying when Bill Gates gave it a huge cash transfusion, and Microsoft Office for Mac. If Microsoft buys a piece of the Linux action, then Linux would rise properly. The best MS Office alternatives are not as good as MS Office, and I actually like Libra Office.

    • wow well said.
      That hardware issue in new release is a bad pain I know.
      I guess you are right about microsoft and other companies too, that was when Linus gave Nvidia the finger!
      thanks for helpful comment and your time.

  • +1

    Xubuntu desktop, RHEL/CentOS server

  • +1

    Gentoo can't be beat if you have a clue. I've tried many, many Linux alternatives over the last few decades and if I have to chose something other than Gentoo, then OpenSuSe would be it.

    • +3

      … if you have a clue

      and if you have time. I have used Gentoo for about 7-8 years and loved the amount of customisation you can do and compile only the things you need. However emerge world takes ages for some big packages, and worse when you have to emerge multiple times because you forgot to turn on some flags.

      • +1

        Yup, stuff like LibreOffice, Thunderbird and Firefox can take a while to rebuild on any system. Judicious use of flags and options can save a lot of time. emerge -pvuDN @world is your friend - study it carefully before committing to a rebuild. Core i5 or i7 systems are not too bad in terms of performance but a Core2 Duo laptop can be tedious. I've got a mix of several 32 and 64 bit Gentoo systems and they are all setup as distcc hosts with cross-compilers. Once you distribute the load, full rebuilds are not too bad.

  • +1

    Debian without a GUI running under Hyper-V on Windows 8.1. It's purely a VPN/Torrent daemon/SSH VM that does various other things. Runs on my HTPC which is on 24/7.

    On my desktop PC I do not use Linux, I use Windows. Years ago I used to run Ubuntu as my primary OS but went back to Windows for work purposes.

    • +1

      This must be the story for many people. I have had the same laptop for 9 years and ran Linux on it for 6, but once I needed it for work work (as opposed to personal or business work) I couldn't do without office. Now my Linux laptop is collecting dust because there's no point using 2.

  • MacOS ☺

    • +1

      MacOS feels too much like paying for Linux to me

      • +1

        but OS X is free - its the hardware which you buy…. unless you have a hackintosh

        • +1

          Yeah I have thought about the hackintosh thing, but since I have to use Windows for work and Linux at home is there really a need or even room for a 3rd Os? I am probably better off spending my time on a higher level of the software stack

  • +1

    My favs are Xubuntu or Linux Mint. I keep swapping between then :P

    Dual boot with Win 8.1 for games, however more and more good games are becoming available on Steam.

  • +5

    I'd just like to interject for moment. What you're refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

    Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called Linux, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

    There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called Linux distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux!

    • +9

      Really, I never gnu that.

    • +8

      Mr. Stallman, is that you?

    • +3

      It's not that simple. There are plenty of non GNU components to many distributions. Just because something is licensed using a version of GPL or LGPL does not make it a GNU component. I've released and contributed to plenty of stuff that may use one of the GNU licenses, but I (and I suspect many other authors) would never consider those works to be GNU software.

      Linux is a perfectly good description for any system that runs under the Linux kernel, and yes, that does include Android.

      • +1

        Wot he never stated that GPL = GNU, nor did he state it was simple..

        May use?? You aren't sure??? So you code and are happy for others to profit from your code hmmphh Oh you're an Android developer happy to profit on the backs of others… Okay got it now

        • +1

          Yes, may use - I have dual licensed several things.

          Yes, I am happy for others to profit from my code as long as I have the freedom to change the way things are done. If some shortcoming bothers me enough, I will put the effort in to do it right, but I need to be able to rebuild the software / firmware. I've done that on several TVs, set top boxes, PVRs, routers and other Linux devices as well as Samba, GStreamer, the Linux kernel, Thunderbird and many others.

  • +1

    Elemetary OS is my distro of choice. Freya was released just a few days ago actually http://elementary.io.

  • +1

    I used Ubuntu until i bought a new Laptop with Windows 7 3 years ago. I would use Windows via virtual system when required.

    Unfortunately the battery would die to quickly with ubuntu so I have both Ubuntu and Windows 7 via dual boot but haven't used Ubuntu in over 2 years.

    But I do miss how problem free Ubuntu is compared to Windows for simple day to day use. The main problem with Ubuntu is the lack of Microsoft Office i find Open office is not good enough for making word documents for formal reasons, or power points for presentation. It's just not as refined. Unfortunately also other software is not as readily available.

  • +2

    Should ozbargain cook their own optimized for browser speed for bargain hunting :)

  • +1

    I haven't used Linux in a while, Linux Mint and openSUSE were always my favourite distributions though.

  • +1

    I use elementary OS.It is very slick and good looking.

  • +1

    linux lite

  • +2

    I'm pretty happy with Ubuntu for my day to day use.

  • +1

    Latest Kubuntu LTS on my laptops and Centos on servers.

  • +1

    Debian for my VPS, Windows 7 on the Desktop, Kali for Virtual Machine f***ery and Puppy Linux on an '09 netbook

    Linux excels at networking and security, nothing else.

  • +2

    I feel better on FreeBSD B-)

  • +1

    I am using multiple VPSes running Debian 7 X64 version.

    I was using Linode, it's great customer service but their Japan server was problematic so I switched to vultr - Cheap with minimal down time (been used for months)

    My Raspberry pi is running Rasbian which is Debian based as well. I look forward trying Ubuntu in the near future.

    @pal you can also make a vote for preferred web server etc :-)

    I am using Nginx which is running great on low spec VPSes

    • +1

      I wanted but Do you know how many options there are !!!!

      • +3

        Actually not that many options unless you are counting front end proxies (HAProxy, Varnish etc) and some obscure web servers, it's pretty much just nginx and apache these days. Nginx also runs 44% of top 10,000 websites so I can already guess the result of the poll "favourite Linux web server".

  • +3

    I feel clean using linux.
    I run an adus eeepc netbook 1000h with xubuntu and works perfectly plus I have an extended battery which gets me 10.5 hours battery life with basic usage.

    My windows 7 machine is dirty I alway am worried about malware spyware and all the other nasties.

  • +1

    I prefer the latest Ubuntu LTS (currently 14.04) for my servers. Debian all the way. Haven't run Linux on my home computer yet, because I play games. :(

  • +1

    Reporting in from the dark side. Exclusively Win 8.1 for PCs.

    Gamer. My partner can't work out google docs, let alone Linux. Plenty of free Windows programs. Plenty of great sales for non-free windows software.

    I've VM'ed specialised Linux distros in the past when I have needed a specific feature. Lately I've found similar free software for Windows, but these Windows programs often look dodgy so I'll find a different solution.

  • +1

    I would assume that most people use Windows bundled with the PC, bought at discount price, or even downloaded with uni licensing for free.

    I have tried several distros in the past and currently using Mint in a VirtualBox VM. I dislike all of them. You can only do so little using the GUI component to configure or setup things compared to what you can do using the terminal.

  • +3

    You're lucky you didn't start a religious war here… but if I may chime in, Fedora 21 because of the slightly more advanced community and better tooling for what I commonly use. Ubuntu is great for beginners and it's what many companies entering the Linux space target directly with their new software (ie. steam) however Steam has been ported to other distributions quite quickly.

    If you're into gaming, you can read my post about VT-D and VFIO implementation to run a native Windows Virtual Machine with a passed through graphics card for near native gaming performance, http://www.andrewklau.com/my-fedora-21-gaming-rig-using-vt-d… just power up the VM when you want to start gaming.

    For servers, EL6/7 no compromise.

    • +1

      Just got TS140 from the other deal and swapped the CPU to E3-1245 V3, which seems to have VTD so probably will give it a go under vmware vSphere.

      • +1

        haven't tried under vmware. Be sure to get all the parts special requirements, and don't be surprised if you have to spend some extra time :)

        • +1

          Well yes, I will.

          TS140 does not support hardware RAID which is a pain for storage solution under vmware but it's still usable using 3rd party solution. It should work (well known statement in IT probably)

          There has been some tutorial to create custom install image for this machine so I will give it a go when I have free time. :-)

  • +1

    The best linux OS to use varies from person to person. It depends on whether you are after a desktop distribution or a server distribution. Desktop - Ubuntu and Fedora are quite popular. Server distributions - Debian and CentOS (RedHat Enterprise is not free). At the end of the day, it will depend more on whether you have certain software / application requirements and the distributions those applications support.

    I don't really use linux at home much. The only exception is the router, which runs a linux based firmware.

  • +3

    I've been a Debian user for almost 10 years now, on desktop, laptop and server. It provides about the right amount of flexibility for someone who knows what they're doing, and it still maintains a commitment to the fundamental Free Software principles that make (GNU/)Linux so valuable.

    My housemate uses Gentoo, because he's crazy and likes to recompile his kernel on a weekly basis…

  • +1

    Have used Ubuntu and OpenSuse on and off on my personal computers, REHL/CentOS at work. But I prefer Windows over Linux even for scientific research. Because I spend less time configuring/trouble-shooting the OS and more time on actual work/research ;).

    I assume most of you are using Linux, as a free OS!?

    Cost of Windows has never been an issue for me since I either got a copy free with computers or have always had access to free/heavily subsidized copies through universities due to my work / study affiliations. Besides, the price of Windows has dropped significantly over the years. So don't think cost is no longer a reason for choosing Linux.

    • Because I spend less time configuring/trouble-shooting the OS and more time on actual work/research ;)

      only if it could work for me! there are jobs only to be done on Linux! I see your point there though

  • +2

    Arch Linux for me, the only one that survives a reboot with Catalyst graphics drivers using the catalyst-hook package.

    I didn't believe the person who put me on to it and could swear Ubuntu Linux would have better luck with propitiatory drivers but a weekend later and a fully built from scratch Arch Distro running Gnome 3 later, and it's solid as a rock. I have NEVER done "pacman -Syu" but plan on it when I'm not working sometime this weekend.

  • +1

    Elementary OS! Very slick!

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