Linux to laptop

[Nils Kassube]

Neil Winchurst wrote:
> My brother uses Windows. He has a Compaq laptop which he rarely uses so
> he suggested we try to install kubuntu on it. He doesn't need to use
> the laptop for anything else so he was quite happy to wipe the disc and
> have only Linux on it.
>
> Well, yesterday we tried. I have a DVD for Feisty and we used that. I
> have never seen anything so slow. We never got to the end of answering
> the questions. After nearly two hours (and I am *not* exaggerating) we
> still hadn't got past step four, so we gave up.
>
> Can anyone help please? The Compaq is about three years old, but it
> runs XP quite adequately. Does Linux not work on that make? Or am I
> missing something?

Did you check the minimum requirements for Feisty? From 
<http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu/kubuntu>:

| System Requirements: [...] Desktop install requires at least 256MB of
| RAM and 3GB of available hard drive space. 

Maybe Xubuntu is a better choice if you have too little RAM. From 
<http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/xubuntu>:

| CDs require 128MB RAM to run, or 192MB RAM to install. Desktop install
| requires at least 1.5GB of free space on your hard disk. 


Nils