I have got a question for all the #tech people out there with experience regarding #hp and #Linux
#Windows11 is being rolled out and I probably will have to set up my Laptop again. Never used #Linux on a PC, so how about:
Do #Linux distributions support HP omen 17 (2019) ?
If so, which one would you recommend for chiefly MS Office use (64-bit Excel a must) ?
How difficult is a set-up for a non-IT pro who has always worked with Windows (but installed systems)?
Hi, does the HP omen 17 have a usb port? Do you have a USB stick? You can try several OS very easily. For example: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#1-getting-started
I am assuming you know about #libreOffice and office365 (online) but you still want to run excel on Linux. you either need to use a compatible layer thing called #wine or #crossoversoftware for Linux not sure which.
@amunizp @Linux4Everyone @linux
It has at least two USB ports: one even 3.1, if I remember correctly.
Yes, re/ #LibreOffice and #OfficeOnline - no re/ compatibility and performance.
Excellent.
Just cleaned a stick. Will try your 1st suggestion now.
@amunizp
I am going for the most recommended https://etcher.balena.ioETCHER FOR LINUX X64 (64-BIT) (APPIMAGE)
LINUX
X64ok, at stick of at least 12 GB is required. Had to switch.
Also, OMENs are not certified for #Ubuntu, will try anyway:
https://activism.openworlds.info/@barb/110511082893469616
@Linux4Everyone @linuxOk. The installation on the stick is completed.
I put the stick in the target system (HP) and did not mess with any further settings, but pressed Try Ubuntu (first option).Then, I selected the colorful (:)) option “Try Ubuntu” (without installation)
The system did start and looks sort of like a windows 1.0 desktop, but in white on bright yellow, almost unreadable.
Thoughts?
Was able to power down the system using the #ApplicationLauncherSearch, but the color settings need to be fixed.
https://vitux.com/3-ways-to-shut-down-power-off-your-ubuntu-system/
Does this have to be done via BIOS settings before booting? Once the system starts, I can hardly see a thing, got lucky with the launcher.
@HistoPol
Not sure what Omens and the news article have to do?
@Linux4Everyone @linux
I hope I don’t lose any of the helpful new contacts who responded to my initial question by adding something I found from 4 (!)years ago re/ my PC:
"utsukushii_rei
I’d advise against hp laptops if you can find an alternative it would be much more simple of an install process. Gaming motherboards by themselves have been known to have excessive bios/uefi settings…
(2/2)
“…that make the install process exponentially more difficult and tiresome. Not only that, but HP has it’s own quarks to it. Such as optane memory management, IRST and various proprietary options that need to be disabled while trying to install Linux”
This sounds very serious to me, however, it was 4 years ago - a lifetime, even for BIOS/OS related issues.
Thoughts?
@HistoPol @Linux4Everyone @linux
If you want to experiment with it you could try a live Linux USB. it just requires a spare USB drive and there’s no permanent changes.
Try googling hardware compatibility.
Ubuntu is the friendliest start, but there are many good options. The office tools are excellent, I’ve used them exclusively for years and years. Steam has excellent gaming options and runs many windows games just fine.
@SmallOther @HistoPol @Linux4Everyone @linux seconded for trying a usb boot! Getting Excel running is possible (but tricky) using something called Wine but it’s worth investigating Libre Office or the browser based versions of Office 365 to see if they will do what you need
@satsuma
Thanks, I’d agree re/ Libre Office or the browser version for 90-95% of the people.
Unfortunately, I do Excel spreadsheet developments, and I’d rather need “Excel 2025.” ;)Apart from that, I do not want to store spread-sheet or doc-data in any clouds for privacy/security reasons.
#Wine sounds interesting. The question is, does it limit performance?
@SmallOther
Trying a USB stick version is actually an excellent idea!–Maybe I can even access my two SSDs again, which the “very compentent” HP service technician made inaccessible when he tried upgrading the BIOS last week.
Linux distributions in my experience have supported all hardware I’ve used with it. NVIDIA graphics cards sometimes don’t play nice due to drivers but in general your laptop should be supported. In regards to which distribution generally Ubuntu would be a good choice, I’ve also heard that Zorin OS is pretty good when moving over from windows and should feel a bit more familiar. Linux Mint could also be a good pick. In general most of the major distributions will work out fine.
In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. Would the web version be sufficient for you? I personally have moved from MS office to ONLYOFFICE full time. Its quite similar and might not have all the features but its sufficient for me. There are other options like LibreOffice as well.
As you say if you’ve installed many other systems before this should be quite easy. You just need to download your chosen distributions iso and create a bootable USB in a program such and Rufus or balenaEtcher and just follow the installation process once you boot in.
Thanks for the very detailed thread.
"In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. "
Are you saying that MS Office 365 (64-bit) will not run on #linux.
I have been using the 2019 version of Excel since its ß-version for performance reasons (and often don’t have enough).
This is a k.o. criterion for me. :(There it probably a very hacky way of doing it through a compatibility layer like wine but I doubt it would be either easy or stable. Have you thought about using windows as a VM within Linux and using it that way? Otherwise unfortunately then it wouldn’t be a fit for you.
Thanks for your reply.
The VM idea is feasible. I am presently doing it on a Windows PC, while the Omen is supposed to be being repaired. However, this reduces performance, as memory is shared, etc.
If I have the VM(ware) on Linux instead of Win10 or 11, what would I have as benefits?
Well you would have the advantage of privacy/security as your host system in Linux so would send far less telemetry data if any at all. Also no more windows updates being shoved at you or restarting your computer in the middle of work. I’m sure you’d also learn a lot to. Its always good to have options.
I get that point, which is what I had hoped for to switch.
However, I would still be working on a “Windows PC,” though a virtual one, as I work with MS O365 must of the time, apart from the browser and some other app’s for editing pictures, pdf’s, etc., but that is just “cosmetics.”I am not a security pro, but my VM would still be hooked up to the WWW, so what is the (security/privacy) difference - apart from that I can more easily reset the PC to an earlier state?
Also, you still…
Yeah if Office is that necessary there is only so much you can do to isolate yourself from windows without getting overly technical. The VM is only connected to the internet if you have it on and the network connection enabled in your VM software’s settings.
