[Lubuntu-qa] Minimum and recommended RAM to install Lubuntu Trusty

Thu Mar 27 15:23:57 UTC 2014

On 03/27/2014 01:50 PM, Nio Wiklund wrote:
> 2014-03-27 10:30, Ali Linx skrev:
>> On 03/27/2014 01:08 PM, Nio Wiklund wrote:
>>> 2014-03-27 09:39, JM skrev:
>>>> On Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:29:56 +0400
>>>> Ali Linx <ali.linux at amjjawad.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> That said, as per my +3 years endless tests, the Recommended RAM for
>>>>> Lubuntu 'must be' IMHO = 512MB
>>>>>
>>>>> If you will ever mention 'minimum' then you should mention too that:
>>>>> "please note that your machine will not work as expected after installing."
>>>>>
>>>>> Let's be 'extra' clear when we're dealing with our users if we do care
>>>>> about them. This is 'very' important IMHO.
>>>>>
>>>>> To me, it is totally non-sense to even waste time to test that on less
>>>>> than 256MB RAM simply because your machine will not handle one open tab
>>>>> say Facebook or Gmail. As for YouTube, you should mention a huge red
>>>>> label note that those with less than 512MB should forget YouTube and
>>>>> watching movies.
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I clearly agree with that, which might in some cases not be even enough, as the hardware
>>>> when old would often need some checks and some care.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Mélodie
>>>>
>>> Hi everybody,
>> Hi my friend,
>>
>>> The text we are discussing is like this now
>>> -----
>>> System Requirements
>>>
>>> We have done many tests and we've found out that Lubuntu can be
>>> installed on a Pentium II or Celeron system with 128 MB of RAM, but such
>>> a system would not perform well enough for daily use.
>>>
>>> With 256MB - 384MB of RAM, the performance will be better and the system
>>> will be more usable.
>>>
>>> With 512MB of RAM, you don't need to worry much.
>>>
>>> The default "Desktop" installer requires 384-800 MB of RAM (depending on
>>> selected options.) If you have problems, please use the "Alternate"
>>> installer.
>>> -----
>>> and it is part of the web page
>>>
>>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu
>>>
>>> which was last edited 2013-11-26 12:48:42 by dale-visser
>> I'm aware of this as I was one of those who participated with the old
>> tests and wrote that too. That is why, I'm stating now that that was a
>> mistake and it should be corrected.
>>
>>> I think we must change it.
>>>
>>> 1. Lubuntu Core Trusty works with 128 MB RAM, but not standard Lubuntu
>>> Trusty. And Lubuntu Core needs at least 256 MB to work reasonably well,
>>> but not for browsing bloated web pages. So it is mis-leading to state
>>> that Lubuntu can be installed with 128 MB of RAM. It might be true for
>>> some old version, but it is not true for Lubuntu Trusty.
>>>
>>> 2. With zRAM, the Lubuntu desktop installer does not need more than 384
>>> MB RAM. Before zRAM was used, it might need 700-800 MB for some
>>> complicated installations.
>>>
>>> 3. Let us consider if we should specify the amount of RAM necessary for
>>> the alternate installer. I think it is better to specify it.
>>>
>>> 4. Let us consider if we should also display the alternatives OBI and 9w
>>> to install Lubuntu Core, which is lighter than standard Lubuntu.
>>> Remember that there are many old computers with 256 MB RAM!
>> Why to confuse and make things complicated? KISS (Keep It Simple and
>> Short). That said, IMHO, the text should read:
>>
>> *Lubuntu Recommended System Requirement (RAM) is _512MB RAM_. You might
>> be able to /install/ the system below that range but please be advised
>> that you might not get a working system as expected - example: browsing
>> the Internet might be very slow and/or not usable.**
>> *
>>
>> The above text is for ALL kind of levels so whether you're super new to
>> Linux/Lubuntu or Super Advance/GURU user, you will not have hard time to
>> understand that.
>>
>> Then, you can create a new page or pararph to explain the 'advance'
>> options to install Lubuntu on special requirements and/or cases where
>> you could use the same text that you send on your original email.
>>
>> By doing that, you will provide the FULL picture of installing Lubuntu
>> and explain each and every case.
>>
>> Newcomers should not click or go to the advance section.
>> Those who have enough experience can indeed explore that section.
>>
>> Playing it safe better than sorry and face the fire of so many
>> complaints, etc. Above all, you will not give any false/wrong hope or
>> promise to anyone :)
>>
>> This is my simple and clear suggestion for the sake of each and every
>> user of Lubuntu 'and' Lubuntu Team.
>>
>>> Best regards
>>> Nio
>>>
>>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> -- 
>> Ali/amjjawad
>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/amjjawad
>>
> Thanks for this very brief and clear text Ali,

You most welcome :)

>
> Do you think we should also specify something about the CPU, for example
> Pentium 4 and the corresponding AMD or PowerPC CPUs as the minimum?
>
> Check the following Ubuntu Forum thread (mainly the first post) by mörgæs
>
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2130640

This may require more/different tests. From real life experience, VIA C7 
CPU with 512MB RAM on Mini HP couldn't breathe Lubuntu but had no issue 
with Xubuntu 12.04 LTS

The oldest CPU that I have is P2 and that is definitely not for daily 
use but rather to be kept at a Museum or something like that :)

These my other CPUs that I have:

http://phillw.net/hardware/BnA9pw11
and
http://phillw.net/hardware/p7x41Lgx

Both handle Lubuntu with no problem except with movies with 720p 
resolution or so.

Last time I had Celeron was 10 years ago or more so not sure about the 
Lubuntu 14.04 how well can work on that CPU.

In short, I think P3 is hopeless unless someone can prove the otherwise. 
It might be a waste of time to prove it.

We all know that it is a challenge. We're in 2014 and we are talking 
about older than 10 years old CPU. 10 years ago (2004) none of today's 
technologies were available. And, at the same time, it also seems that 
none of the old technologies are available anymore. We're talking here 
about the 'normal daily computer usage'.

As for special cases, that is something else.
Example: theoretical experience to prove the very minimum and how far 
one could go. These tests are useless for the users but it is just for 
curiosity or fun.

If FOSS/Linux Communities have some data/figures of how many 'very old 
machines' are still alive as of today, our mission could have been much 
easier and shorter. As long as we are doing all that blindly by assuming 
'there are' very old machines somewhere over there is not 100% helpful.

Here is another suggestion from me ;)

How about a Wiki Page called: *Special Cases *to be created under:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu

On that page, users with very and I mean VERY old machine can list their 
hardware details (a must) on a column and on the other column states 
whether Lubuntu was installable on their machines or not? then another 
column to state whether Lubuntu is usable on their machines or not?

By achieving that, you provide 'real' experience for 'real' people with 
a proof that on a specific old machine, Lubuntu was installable and usable.

This will work as a check-list for very old machines that is below 512MB 
RAM and P4 :)

I'd be glad to create that one if you guys like the idea :)

Also, on that page, you can list the requirement that is for less than 
512MB RAM - the same that your original email has: 
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/lubuntu-users/2014-March/006970.html

So, this page:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu
Should list few lines - as I suggested earlier: 
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/lubuntu-users/2014-March/006974.html

While the new one:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu/SpecialCases

Will list the other lower/minimum requirements and that table which the 
users will fill every time there is one successful story to share :)

>
> Best regards
> Nio
Thank you!

-- 
Ali/amjjawad
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/amjjawad

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/lubuntu-users/attachments/20140327/35efcdc5/attachment.html>