From: nation@dopey.sanders.lockheed.com (Robert Nation) Subject: Re: Linux on a portable with X Date: 5 Feb 1993 13:26:23 GMT
I am running linux and X windows on a 486DX/33 with 4 mbytes of
memory. Everything works fine, except that it swaps a lot. A kernel
rebuild while running X, however, still only takes about 30 minutes,
so
I would say that things are quite tolerable. With 8 Mbytes of memory,
the swapping problem should be less severe. I periodically monitor my
swap space usage, and have found that I use 1 Mbyte when X is running.
but no other programs (just an Xterm and clock). When running x-chess
with the computer playing itself (the worst example I have found yet)
the system used 5 mbytes of swap.
The following are things to consider:
1. Most power management utilites are unavailable. I still run 2.5
hours on batteries,though.
2. Your screen is only 640x480, and probably only works in X-mono.
You probably won't be able to switch to the external monitor unless
you get documentation on your chip sets, etc.
Regards,
Rob Nation