What OS for netbook

[m9g]

Just ordered a netbook with 7" screen for my daughter for crimbo and its coming with android 2.2, how easy is android for a 10 year old, she has experience with windows xp and 7 so should I get a windows OS for it? which one? and where can i get it from?

Cheers

[kojidon]

netbook

Hi mate what make/model is it?

[m9g]

NEW 7" ANDROID PC 2.2 WIFI NETBOOK EPC LAPTOP UK - PINK | eBay

[Egren71]

I think you will not be able to put Windows on it as the specifications say the CPU is a VIA WM8650, 600MHz and i don't think that is an Intel compatible processor. You might be able to put some form of Linux on it but i think you might be best trying to use the android OS that it comes with. Kids are quick learners and will probably make the switch from Windows to Android quicker than most adults.

[azzahra]

I agree with you egren71...

[m9g]

NEW 7" ANDROID PC 2.2 WIFI NETBOOK EPC LAPTOP UK - PINK | eBay

Seller robbed me, ran off with my money even though he had a high feedback percentage and over 30000 score.

Had e-mail from ebay to say seller had been deleted so have started a dispute with paypal.

In the meantime bought one from amazon.

Surely windows doesnt have to have intel compatible does it? and didnt netbooks use to run windows ce?

[Egren71]

You are correct. I only said intel compatible because you mentioned Windows XP and 7 in the original post and i didn't think beyond the literal question. Although i will concede you said should I get a windows OS for it? which one? and maybe i should have thought of CE.
So with that in mind here is a list of processors that are supported for Windows CE 5 which i think is the current version and the processor in that Netbook a VIA WM8650 is not listed as supported. The only VIA processors that are listed as supported are at the bottom of the page and are listed as x86 so still a standard PC type processor.

Just a quick update Windows CE 5 is not the latest apparently Windows CE 7 or possibly called Windows Embedded Compact 7 is. Apparently i am very out of date.

[MrWho]

Stick with Android on device like this or maybe ported Linux distro.

Windows CE is not the best system even if you could get it going ...

[little pob]

You could try the Windows 8 beta which should run on non-x86 CPUs, or perhaps Chromium OS.

Not tried either myself though.

[kevindj]

linux is king stay away from windows on netbooks nothing but agro.

[m9g]

Ok thanks guys, I only think windows ce as this is for my little girl who is use to windows, android is too faffy so was thinking linux - which one should i put on and is compatible with Via WM8650? also would I be able to put msn messenger on with linux? this is mainly what she would want as she talks to her friends on it.

Cheers

[Egren71]

Well the VIA WM8650 processor appears to be an ARM processor, although i can't find a site that says this for definite, and linux supports ARM processors so possibly an ARM based distribution might work. You would probably need one with a less power hungry desktop so something like XFCE or one of the other lite desktop distributions. Also the specs you posted for the original laptop said VIA WM8650 does the new laptop have the same processor because some of the ones i have seen use different processors.
While i was having a look on the net i have found that Windows CE 5 is not the latest. Apparently Windows CE 7 or possibly called Windows Embedded Compact 7 is the latest and this also claims to support ARM processors as does Windows CE 6 however i can't find a list of supported processors so i don't know if yours is on it.

[m9g]

Well the VIA WM8650 processor appears to be an ARM processor, although i can't find a site that says this for definite, and linux supports ARM processors so possibly an ARM based distribution might work. You would probably need one with a less power hungry desktop so something like XFCE or one of the other lite desktop distributions. Also the specs you posted for the original laptop said VIA WM8650 does the new laptop have the same processor because some of the ones i have seen use different processors.
While i was having a look on the net i have found that Windows CE 5 is not the latest. Apparently Windows CE 7 or possibly called Windows Embedded Compact 7 is the latest and this also claims to support ARM processors as does Windows CE 6 however i can't find a list of supported processors so i don't know if yours is on it.

Yes it is ARM, the one i had to buy from amazon can confirm is via WM8650 - its this one - [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006DHNPKG]7" NETBOOK MINI LAPTOP WIFI ANDRIOD 2GB NOTEBOOK IN PINK: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

I dont want to try and install something and it buggers the netbook - i am ok with pc's and can usually fix them, just want to be sure of my options before I go ahead and install.

Regards

[leonattpcs]

xp is simple enough

[m9g]

xp is simple enough

I love xp and would be ideal - surely it wont go on this netbook will it?