laboitenoire

Alright, I'm planning on installing OpenSUSE in a dual-boot with Windows 7 on my computer. I had planned on doing this a few weeks ago, but I was still unsure about driver compatibility for my laptop. Overall, it seems like the Latitude E6500 is pretty much a-okay with most distros, so I'm ready to give it a shot.

Only thing now is whether or not I want to go with the 32-bit or the 64-bit version. I know my laptop has four gigs of RAM, but in my research I think I read that most current Linux distros support PAE? The main reason I'm debating is because of software availability through my university. I'm pretty sure they have a version of our VPN client that is compatible with 64-bit versions, but the main problem is that they don't provide a 64-bit anti-virus option for Linux, only 32-bit. Are there any good free AV programs out there that will work on 64-bit distros? Or should I just good ahead and install the 32-bit version?

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metallicamaster3

What's nice with Linux is that you can install the libs from 32-bit editions. If you were to install a 64-bit distro, just install the 32-bit libs and you should run 32-bit apps no problem.

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nathris

Except when it comes to web browsing. You have to run 64bit flash and java, neither of which has good support.

And just because you can run 32bit libs doesn't mean there still won't be compatibility issues. On Arch 64 I can't run one of my 32bit native linux games because it doesn't render correctly.


I'd say go with 32bit. 3.5gb vs 4gb is nothing, especially on Linux, especially on a laptop. Its just less headaches.

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thiussat

Why do you need Anti-Virus? Is this something the university is making you do even though you're on Linux?

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"I can't bring myself to try Linux Mint because they keep naming the OS after ex-girlfriends or women I've had bad run ins with. Cassandra was a sexual harassing shift manager. And Felicia was a stalker who knew how to turn a good day into a hellish experience in 0-60." -- Anub1s from BBR forums

laboitenoire

It's just something the university provides. I know Linux in general isn't terribly susceptible to viruses and the like, but I don't want anything to make its way onto my documents partition (which I'll be trying to access from both Windows and Linux).

Other than that, thanks for the heads up!

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tom.slick

32 and 64 bit versions of these are in the openSuse repos
anitvir
clamav
dazuko

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Jimi

I've never ran openSUSE, but I can say that I have had aggrivating issues with 64bit linux distros. I'd say just use 32bit, since (depending what you set up) you'll be running your OS liter than Windows anyway.

tom.slick

I have two opensuse boxes, one with 32bit and one with 64bit, and I see no difference. I went through the conundrum with my i7 build and I didn't notice any difference in the OS itself. I have all the same software installed, and everything works the same. I say just pick one.

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drelyn86

Yes, flip a coin

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I tried installing OpenSuse one time. Took like an hour and a half and I hated it, oh well, I guess to each his own.

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