easiest Linux similar to windows?

searchlight123

hi
i have an asus eeePC 901 (with in-built sim card holder) sitting gathering dust. it is running (or walking very slowly!) windows XP. it is the 12 or 16gb SSD version.

what would be the closest linux (visually and in use) to install on this machine similar to windows please? bearing in mind it's lack of storage, 1gb ram etc, i do not mind ditching the XP operating system but would like to run my word and excel 2007 or 2003 on it.

and if this is possible could someone point me in the direction of an easy to follow 'how to' guide so that i can swap the OS and maybe get some use and added performance out of this neat little laptop?

many thanks.

John_Gray

Word and Excel can't run on any version of Linux! You will need something like LibreOffice, which runs on both Windows and Linux. Provided you aren't doing anything too complex, LibreOffice is fairly compatible to Office 2003,

There are several Linux distros which have Windows-like desktops, easily found by Googling something like "linux distros like windows".

Zorin makes much of a play for Windows-7-alike-ness, and Mint is eternally popular. But with your netbook's limited capacity they may be too large - you would have to check.

It would probably be best to create a bootable USB Flash Drive from the Linux ISO, so you can test it out without having to install it on the netbook's 'hard disk'. Something like Rufus will enable you to create this bootable drive.

searchlight123

thanks for info.
i will look into this and make it a small project!!
may as well try to put this netbook to some use!

bengalknights

Ubuntu is the easiest linux to use and you can use office 365 with linux however for system installs you would need libre office or similar

AndyPix

You should be able to get office running on Linux using WINE ..


See here:-
http://www.howtogeek.com/171565/how-to-install-microsoft-office-on-linux/

searchlight123

i'm ok to use libre office. i only mentioned MS office as i have the disc but this netbook would not be used that often for writing letters etc.

was more interested to find a current OS that would be easy for a lifelong windows user to adapt to:)

kwikbreaks

Whichever distro you choose be prepared for a fair bit of googling to get it going to your requirements.

I've tried several distros in the past but always eventually returned to the dark side having tired of the constant need to learn some bit of voodoo or other to get stuff going. Given most of the jiggery pokery involved is through the command line being a good typist will help too.

Use the force Tony.

searchlight123

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Whichever distro you choose be prepared for a fair bit of googling to get it going to your requirements.

I've tried several distros in the past but always eventually returned to the dark side having tired of the constant need to learn some bit of voodoo or other to get stuff going. Given most of the jiggery pokery involved is through the command line being a good typist will help too.

Use the force Tony.

thanks for the warning!!
i did try this on an old laptop some years ago and gave up but was rather hoping that things had moved on a little and that there may have been a very 'windows-like' low powered alternative now?

pappa_golf

I have been using linux mint for the last few days , its almost windows looking now , very stable and quick , installing programs "can" enable a bit of typing , however there are clear youtube vids that you can follow
maybe mint might be to big for your drive?

I am using a old30g ssd , linux has been alocated 12g and I have used 10.1 g

searchlight123

pappa_golf wrote: »

I have been using linux mint for the last few days , its almost windows looking now , very stable and quick , installing programs "can" enable a bit of typing , however there are clear youtube vids that you can follow
maybe mint might be to big for your drive?

I am using a old30g ssd , linux has been alocated 12g and I have used 10.1 g

thanks pappagolf.
i think that maybe be too big? i think its a 16gb SSD in that netbook but if i recall there was only 12gb free after windows. but i dont mind removing windows and i will not need much storage on it for anything really.

Fightsback

For an old challenged machine like that I'd suggest something lightweight such as Puppy Linux:

http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm

Remember, Linux is not Windows.