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From:Xandros Corp
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See Product Page
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#7568 |
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8 of 8 customers found the following review helpful:
 Great OS for beginners and power users, 2006-05-26
I have been using Redhat Linux for several years, and then switched to Xandros a month ago. What I can say is that this is the first time I could make Linux my main OS (my disk is partitioned into Linux/Windows) and use it as default bootup option. It almost runs everything I need and I rarely need to switch back to Windows.
The installation is easy and straightforward. The utilities are great and work with ease, I didn't find much complications with anything in Xandros. It comes with 30 days installation support and an online forum, where you can find answers to a lot of your "why/what" questions.
First let's start with negatives
- Xandros Linux wasn't as stable as I expected a Linux OS be (I have experience with Redhat and Suse Linux).
- Xandros Linux does not automatically detect serial mouse. You either have to set configurations for that manually or use a PS2 or USB mouse.
- For one thing, Xandros desktop is a stripped down version of Linux, comes with no standard developement tools. However, everything can be readily downloaded from Xandros Network.
- It is a little slower than Windows and other versions of Linux, but it won't give you hard time.
Positive
- Xandros simulates a Windows-like environment using KDE, so beginners have no problem getting accustomed to it.
- Xandros file manager gives you direct access to Windows partitions, USB disks, removable medias, etc. No fuss, no errors, no warnings, it just connects you in a second.
- Network and wireless utility worked excellent for me. Xandros uses a version of "ndiswrapper" to translate your wirless Windows driver to be used by Linux.
- Xanros Linux recognized my Fuji digital camera easily! I tried so hard with Redhat to make it work and failed.
- You can switch users right on the screen without logging off. This may not be as important for private computers.
- It uses "CrossOver" wrapper to make Windows applications such as Microsoft office to run under Linux. For one thing, the CrossOver is a trial version and after 30 days you have to pay for it. Second I am not using it much because 1)it does not work with every Windows application, 2) When using Linux you would use LaTeX as your main editing tool not Microsoft. So this wrapper should be more useful to the new fans rather than power users.
- You can download virtually everything you need from Xandros Network. Xandros has two repositories : Supported and Unsupported. [...]
I would say this OS can be equally exciting and useful to both new users and power users.
3 of 3 customers found the following review helpful:
 Nice distro for beginners, but you may want more, 2006-04-23
Xandros Desktop OS is simply one of the best alternatives to Windows you will ever find. I have used Xandros since the Xandros 2.0 days back in 2004 and have watched it evolve into what it is today : a seriously-viable alternative to Windows.
Xandros 3.0 has an upgraded 2.6 Linux kernel, which allows for DVD burning (the 2.4 Linux kernel was not suitable for burning DVDs). It also has an upgraded KDE, which is the standard GUI of Xandros (however if you know how to do it, you can use apt-get to install and use the GNOME desktop environment).
The reason I'm giving this particular version of Xandros 3.0 three stars is simply there are better versions of Xandros 3.0, and some are much better deals. Right now the best deal you will find for Xandros 3.0 is Xandros 3.0 Business, as it comes with Sun StarOffice 7, Codeweavers Crossover Office, and a 2nd CD (the Applications CD) which includes extra games, compilers, and the kernel source (the compilers and kernel source will be necessary tools if you have to install drivers for a winmodem, especially a winmodem with a Conexant HSF chipset).
If you want a no-frills version of Xandros, go with Xandros 3.0 Standard. But if you want a version of Xandros which offers a lot, go for either Xandros 3.0 Deluxe or Xandros 3.0 Business...they are great deals, even better deals than Xandros 3.0 Standard.
6 of 7 customers found the following review helpful:
 Stable & fast but not there yet, 2006-02-19
I'm one of those that want to get away from "anything Microsoft" and after reading about all the Linux distros bought the Xandros version.
The install was very easy but it wouldn't recognize my second hard drive and I was unable to figure out how to get it to do so.
In additon I found general tasks not intuitive at all and nowhere near as good as Windows: this is one thing that MS does well.
Another thing I found to be annoying and unnecessary are all the windows that pop up asking cryptic questions.
If Xandros is the "easiest" Linux distro around, I'd sure hate to tangle with the others.
Xandros does run well as far as that's concerned and that's why I'm giving it 2 stars, but I can't understand why they didn't go further and refine it. They should either try to improve on how MS does it or, dare I say it - copy them.
As it is, my advice is to wait until they get it right.
6 of 6 customers found the following review helpful:
Finally, a useable Linux for the not-as-geeky, 2005-08-23
I have always considered myself a computer geek. However, when it comes to Linux, I just can't comprehend much. Xandros is the only Linux that I have tried that is easy to install and configure. I tried Ubuntu and with one computer the monitor was a bunch of garble and on the other computer I could not figure out how to hook up the wireless internet connection (I read a lot of forums online and just got a headache looking at them.) With Xandros, the partitioning and dual boot setup is easy, I configured my wireless card with WEP with no problem. Compared to Windows, this OS is noticeable slower. Slower to boot up, but not unbearable and opening Firefox takes even longer than Windows, which is pretty slow. Open Office is a painfully slow program now matter what. Grant it, I am trying it out on a older 1ghz system but it took over 15 seconds to open the spreadsheet application. The choice of programs are somewhat limited, but useful. I am happy using this in a dual boot configuration. I have programs that I use for a security system and I know they won't come out with a Linux version, so I have to stick with XP for that. For web surfing and general use however, you can save yourself the headaches of viruses and spyware because it would be virtually impossible to get on Linux.
12 of 12 customers found the following review helpful:
 A MUST for beginning Linux users, 2005-08-19
If you don't have any Linux experience or knowledge and want an EASY transition...Xandros 3.0 is the way to go.
I disagree with the previous review of 3 stars. This is not a limited version. Upgrades can be done. If your a heavy, Linux geek, you would not use Xandros anyway! But if your a home user looking for a quick, affordable and VERY FRIENDLY product...go with Xandros.
Xandros has made the specific effort of trying to be just like Windows XP using the Linux kernel. It succeeds! If you want a more full featured version, try Xandros 3.0 Business Edition. More than likely, if your the typical home user or even power user, you won't use half the features. However, the business edition does supply you with Star Office 7 (the Linux/open source version of Microsoft's Office 2003)and CodeWeaver's CrossOver Office (a program that allows you to run many Windows programs in a Linux environment). You can also purchase these separately. CodeWeaver will be releasing version 5 in September and version 6 in December. I would wait and buy version 6, it is going to knock your socks off with rich features and compatibility!!!
To sum it all up and keep this review short, simple and sweet -
Xandros Desktop 3 is an excellent Linux distro to learn on, it is extremely easy to use, learn and install. It acts just like Windows XP, it automatically configures itself right out of the box, to communicate with an existing Windows network.
If you want a more full, in-depth experience, I would recommend Suse 9.3 and the Dummies book that will teach you step by step.
However, Xandros is more beginner/user friendly. You will feel right at home and it will only cost you $45 !!! Windows XP Pro costs $200.
There are many FREE distros of Linux out there for you to learn on but Xandros is full featured and the simplest for a beginner in my opinion. If you know Windows...you will feel right at home from the start!
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