Leeenux Review – Linux OS for Asus Eee 701

There are countless Linux distros out there for the netbooks. Do we really need another one? Well, if you still use the first generation Eee PC or have it lying around as it is of no use to you, Leeenux OS can give a new life to it. It is tailor-made for those who are having trouble in getting all the newer Linux distros to work on it – Ubuntu, Ubuntu UNR, Kubuntu and so on. They run fine on the newer netbooks, but give myriad of problems on the Eee 700-series. Another problem is that the newer distros are not made with the old Eee 701 netbook in mind that have just 4GB of flash storage.

The solution to all these problems is Leeenux. The download size of the ISO is just 359MB and installation size is 1.2GB. The installation is similar to any other Ubuntu installation. So, if you know how to install Ubuntu, you should not face any problems during installation. I installed it via USB flash drive that was made bootable by using Unetbootin, a free utility that easily lets you install Linux distros without burning the ISOs to CD/DVD.

Best out-of-box experience

The Leeenux does not use customized booting-up screen. Instead, the folks behind Leeenux just used the bog-standard Ubuntu 9.04’s boot-up animation. After the loading process, one immediately gets the familiar Netbook Remix Interface. It has been tweaked to fit the WVGA screen of the 701. It works flawlessly and without any delay.

As mentioned earlier, it takes-up just 1.2GB storage space. Everything is included – web-browser, email-client, office apps, multimedia players and application manager. Wise selection has been done for choosing the right alternatives. For example: Instead of using the bloated Open Office for providing office functionality, it comes with Gnumeric Spreadsheet (Excel alternative) and AbiWord (Word alternative) that don’t eat up the valuable storage space like hungry bears. For web-browsing, Firefox 3.7 is included. I went ahead and installed Google Chrome that worked well without a hitch. Unlike recent distros that come with Empathy IM client, it still uses the good ‘ol Pidgin Internet Messenger.  A nice backup utility is also included that can backup and restore the whole system. 

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. That is why Leeenux comes with not one, but 3 Emulators – DoxBox, SEGA and Snes emulator to keep you entertained when you are not working.

Just like Jolicloud, it comes with few Prism apps that mere shortcuts to particular URLs. I am personally against the idea of using Prism apps. Why not simply fire-up the web-browser and then go to the respective URL?

Anyway, everything worked like a charm. including Wireless.

What I would like to see in future releases?

I would certainly like the see the new Software Center that is being used in the Ubuntu 9.10. But, if including that means increase in installation size, then I am against it. I once again find my Eee 701 apishly agile and reliable. I highly recommend it to every Eee 701 user out there to give it a try

[Visit LeeeNux’s official webpage]