Puppy linux & EeePC

What is an EeePC?

The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer by Asus and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive and relatively low cost. Newer models have added the option of Windows XP operating system and traditional hard disk drives.

What is Puppy Linux?

Puppy Linux is a full-fledged operating system bundled with application suites covering a wide variety of tasks which can be used productively by general users. However, because Puppy is small-sized and can boot from many media, it is also useful as a rescue disk, a demonstration system, or for reviving old computers.

Why are they born to be together?

Puppy linux is great, but then, you already know that! I won't go into mentioning the greatness of the EeePC either, because that would also be redundant, given the fact that you have googled "Puppy Linux EeePC", or something similar.

Reason 1 - Comparing system requirements

Puppy linux is able to run with a 128mb PC & a 500mhz processor, did you know? On the other hand, Mandriva, despite being excellent on many areas (such as package management, and configuration), would recommend at least 256mb ram & 1ghz processor. That might not seem like a big difference, but it is:

In puppy, you have more than enough resources. In Mandriva, you have the bare minimum plus inches.

Reason 2 - Maximum read/write on Hard drives

This is quite technical, but on the other hand quite simple: You might not know this, but it is true: Your EeePC's hard drive, which isn't a hard drive rightly so, but a SSD, has a limit of between 10,000 and 100,000 write cycles. Wikipedia can confirm, with proper sources, both that your EeePC has a SSD drive and that SSD drives wear out.

Mandriva isn't designed to be run in an environment that wears out. Puppy on the other hand, even if it wasn't originally meant for running on SSD sticks, it is certainly able to do so: He runs completely in ram - Yes, he -, and writes to HD only once in a while, which will guarantee your EeePC will last ages (This can be set to more or less frequent).

You will install Puppy

Oh yes, you will. Puppy linux has many flavors, but only some are available for EeePC users. Of those, some of there will follow.

Puppy linux, on it's latest oficial version, has updated to the 2.6.30.5 kernel, the one which EeePC's (at least semi-old ones, like 901.)