Question : Slow Ubuntu on Netbook

Hi

I have two netbooks Acer Aspire one 10.1 inches with similar configuration. Both have 1 GB RAM. One has Windows XP and the other one has Ubuntu 10.04.

I mostly run SQL Developer, iReports (both use Java) with Thunderbird, Chrome, Open Office. Machine with XP runs absolutely fine whereas the machine with Ubuntu becomes very slow.

Is there a way to tweak Ubuntu (this is my favorite O/S)? Or do you recommend another Linux distribution (should be as fine as Ubuntu) which is less resource hungry?

Answer : Slow Ubuntu on Netbook

Unfortunately, this is a sad truth about Java. And one of the reasons why I try to avoid Java as much as possible on whatever platforms.

But memory usage should be configurable in an app like SQL Developer. I suggest you search through the options and settings carefully.
In OpenOffice, for instance, memory usage may be tweaked, and Java disabled to speed things up:
http://www.zolved.com/synapse/view_content/28209/How_to_make_OpenOffice_run_faster_in_Ubuntu

In general, however, speed boost should ironically be expected from using more memory, not less.
The best idea I ever came across for fastening things up would be to try and use OpenGL for the rendering of IDEs in large GUI driven programmes. This should be possible for all Java applications. Here's a guide: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1129187

On installing, have you configured a swap partition for this Ubuntu? Seized around 2 Gb should be perfect. Sounds like you would need it.

Lastly, here are some general Ubuntu speedup tips: http://www.chinwong.com/index.php?/site/article/ubuntu_speed_up_tips/