can Fedora run in 64bit mode on Atom based netbook?

[alexeik]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but anyway.

I want to buy a netbook as my photocamera companion, and would like to install Fedora on it. I want Fedora, since I have experience with this system. I run it on my desktop PC.

But I was told, that there is a h/w s/w (?) issues with 64 bit linux on Atom netbooks. Does anyone have experience with such configurations?

Thanks in advance!

Alexei

[george_toolan]

The early atoms didn't support 64 bit operating systems, but you should still be able to install a 32 bit version of Fedora. Have a look at this list

There's no disadvantage in using a 32 bit operating system, since they only supported 2 GiB memory anyways.

You might however consider an AMD netbook. The E-450 APU is a bit faster than any atom, can play HD movies and supports up to 8 GiB of memory. Also the netbooks have a higher resolution of 1366x768 even some 10" netbooks.

[sea]

Got an intel Atom processor and diffrent 64 bit linux' distributions did run on it.
EDIT: Uh, that would sound nice, mine's limited to 1024*600.

[bbfuller]

Hello alexeik

Some of the atoms do 64 bit, some don't.

You would need to find just what atom you would be getting.

My atom 330 which is dual core does support 64 bit. My atom N270 is 32 bit only.

There are many other atom variants.

Once you know the number, a Google search will turn up the specification sheet which will tell you if the processor is 64bit capable.

[stevea]

Here - you can lookup the spec for any of the atoms,
http://ark.intel.com/products/family/29035

Look for the "Intel® 64" advanced technology.
Personally I'd look for more than that.

[alexeik]

Thanks to everyone who answers!

Sorry, it seems I was not clear enough. I want to buy a netbook, say something from ASUS, eee machine. And I want to install 64 bit Fedora on it. But before I do buy this machine, I would like to know if it is capable to install and run 64 bit Fedora on it.
Does anyone have Fedora 64 bit installed on ASUS notebook?
Deffinitelly I want to buy a new model. I also preffer to have 12" screen (if possible).

P.S. I was told, that there is an issue with (at least) ATOM n2600 - problem with graphics.

Thanks!

[bbfuller]

Hello alexeik

You'll need to be more specific on the particular model of Asus Eee and the parts it contains in it. There are many variants.

I have the Asus 1201n which has the Atom 330 that I mentioned earlier. It's not in production any more.

But I also have another Asus 1201 that is out on loan at the moment so I can't check, but that has a different last letter in the designation and has an AMD processor in it.

Both have 12" screens and run 64bit Fedora

The netbook format, however logical it may seem to me, appears to be going out of favour and there are a lot fewer in production than there were.

[alexeik]

Hi, bbfuller
Thanks for an answer.
Actually I have no special requirements.
I just need a camera companion netbook. But when I decided to buy ASUS eee 1225c netbook, with Atom n2600 on board, I was told that this CPU/GPU has problems with graphics in 64 bit mode. So I decided to be more cautious and to ask other peoples, who has *real* experience with netbooks.

I asked market peoples, but they usually asks which colour I preffer 8)

I myself has very old MSI Wind netbook, which has very first ATOM (I do not remember the name), which does not run 64 bit LINUX.

So I have to choose a model, and I ask for ideas.

P.S. But you mentioned a netbook w/ AMD CPU inside. What can you say about it? I am buying netbook to do mainly graphics processing in GIMP. What is your opinion?

[bbfuller]

Hello alexeik

I really don't know about what you have heard of the Atom n2600 processor.

I'm not surprised at the sales people only being interested in which colour you want! Is there any chance that if you took along a live CD and an external CD drive they'd let you try it out?

As to the AMD processor, it is an "AMD Athlon Neo MV40". I really don't see much difference between the two in terms of things like start up speed. However, the Atom is dual core with hyper threading and the AMD is only single core. If I have the machines doing a yum update and try to do something else, the Atom is more comfortable. For single application use I don't see much difference.

The AMD's tend to run cooler.

Not much help I'm afraid unless you can find someone who actually has that processor.

[droidhacker]

Ok first off... why 64bit? If you're looking at a NETbook, you aren't going to have any characteristics or utility for a 64bit operating system. In fact, it will be slower and hog more memory.

For a netbook, even if the CPU supports 64bit, install 32bit OS on it.

[meine]

IMHO a netbook should be low at almost everything, only high on usability

for a photo/picture companion you don't need a lot of power so 32/64-bit is no real issue maybe. SSD slot on the side is more a must-have

I run the LXDE 32 bit version (F16) on my Acer Aspire One with SSD and use it for a photo and whatever companion and it serves wel. with an extra 9-cells batery up to 12 hours.

I guess you first make up what you want to do, buy the machine you like and take the appropriate Fedora version to it -- not the other way round...

[alexeik]

OK.
I decided to go to shop and try 64bit linux on demo models, if I find any.