Recommendations for Linux distro please

[Devr]

Hello there.

I've had enough with Microsoft and I want to switch to something better. Macs seem a bit naff to me. So Linux seems like the most viable option.

My problem is choosing the best distro for my needs. I'm hoping you can help me with this decision. Below is a list of my main requirements. Hopefully there are some options which fit my needs.

Requirements:
Needs to run on a HP dv6238ea laptop. I would like the integrated webcam to work as well as the 5-in-1 card reader. Also it would be nice if I could use the quickplay buttons (the buttons on the very top).

A decent window manager is definitely needed. I've played around with Ubuntu Feisty Fawn on VMWare. I liked that, but...

...I would like to run something like XGL too, so I can have the eye candy! But as I'm a complete linux newbie I don't know if I can run that with Ubuntu ( or even my laptop! ).

Need to be able to install XAMPP (or something similar) on it. I say XAMPP because it's what I know. ( Any suggestions to anything better are welcome ).

Hope this isn't a stupid question, I'm half expecting someone to say "They can all do that". Oh well, I know no better.

Thank you for your time.

Z.

[Devr]

One last thing I forgot to ask.

Do these distros have native C/C++ compilers, or do I have to install that separately?

Cheers,

Z.

[Manchunian]

Hi and welcome,

Let's look at your points one by one:

Needs to run on a HP dv6238ea laptop.

Shouldn't be a problem - Linux will run on almost anything. Probably best to stick to 32 bit distributions for the time being as 64 bit can be a bit problematic. Getting better by the day, though.

I would like the integrated webcam to work

Some do, some don't! I can't advise here - use a live distribution to check. My webcam doesn't work...yet.

I could use the quickplay buttons

Ditto. The rule of thumb in Linux: the more fancy your hardware, the longer you'll have to wait before it works. The pilots often have to be written by volunteers, you see.

Need to be able to install XAMPP

No probs! Apache works seamlessly in Unix machines. Hardly surprising really....

Do these distros have native C/C++ compilers

Linux is written in C, so you have all the tools you need, for free! I think you have to download and install the compilers for all the distros, though, at least you do with Debian, but that's no sweat!

Based on what you said above, I suggest you try a few live CDs and see for yourself. Mint is very newbie friendly, but there aren't many Mint users on this forum for the moment, so if you run into difficulties you may need to ask at the official Mint forums.

Hope this helps!

[vh-bil]

I am running Fedora 8 on a HP HDX9004TX and have most of my hardware, even my finger print scanner. This dist is very easy to use as well.

[devils casper]

I would suggest you to try Fedora 8 KDE or Gnome LiveCDs. Most of the Hardware work fine out of the box.
C/C++ compilers are not pre-installed in most of distros but its pretty easy to install those using Package Manager.

[techieMoe]

I looked up some hardware specs on that model and I don't see anything that should cause you any serious trouble. The Nvidia card will not automatically work with 3D, but there are official Nvidia drivers for Linux. My Dell laptop has media keys as well, and they worked out of the box in Ubuntu 7.10. It's entirely possible that yours will work too.

The more popular mainstream distributions right now are Ubuntu, Fedora, openSuSE, and Mandriva. Debian and Slackware also have quite a large user base. I'd echo what others have said and recommend you try out a LiveCD distribution first to see what hardware you have works and what doesn't. Above all, enjoy!

[Devr]

Thank you all very much. Very helpful!

I will give most of the ones you suggested a try. I've just DLed a Kubuntu CD so I'm gonna give that a try now.

Thanks again,

Z.

[vh-bil]

I hope you enjoy Linux as much as I do Devr.