[karlo]

Hello,

As of now I'm trying to reformat a friend's laptop. It's an old one. Sony VAIO, with a 512 MB of RAM, Intel Pentium 4 3 Ghz with an 80 GB of hard drive. ATI video card I think.

The user is just someone who access Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger and a bit of Skype.
Most of the time, the user plays a game called Slot Machine from Slot Plus Casino. It's
a free game that simulates a Slot Machine game with virtual betting stuff.

Now, I hate Ubuntu because of the Unity thing. I did some research. Linux Mint and OpenSUSE.
Apparently, I'm confused. Linux Mint has KDE and GNOME as well as OpenSUSE.

Which of the two (Linux Mint vs. OpenSUSE) will I install and will I use KDE or GNOME?
What's the default Desktop Environment that comes with Linux Mint and OpenSUSE?
Which is better KDE or GNOME?

The user is really used to Windows XP. I can't use Windows 7 because the DVD drive isn't working properly.
It can't read DVDs but CDs are okay. I also can't install Windows 7 via Network Installation.

I don't know how to do a Network Installation of Windows 7. I only have 2 laptops (mine) with Windows 7 installed.

Anyway I'm waiting for everyone's reply. As of now, I'm burning Windows XP into a CD-R.

[linuxrants7xpg]

Taking a stab at this..

karlo, on 09 February 2012 - 07:37 AM, said:

Now, I hate Ubuntu because of the Unity thing. I did some research. Linux Mint and OpenSUSE.
Apparently, I'm confused. Linux Mint has KDE and GNOME as well as OpenSUSE.

Yes, both Linux Mint and OpenSuSE can use either Gnome or KDE. Mint defaults to Gnome, OpenSuSE defaults to KDE.

karlo, on 09 February 2012 - 07:37 AM, said:

Which of the two (Linux Mint vs. OpenSUSE) will I install and will I use KDE or GNOME?

What's the default Desktop Environment that comes with Linux Mint and OpenSUSE?
Which is better KDE or GNOME?

I assume you meant "should" instead of "will". If I'm wrong, please correct me. Which you should go for is really up to you or your friends personal preferences. I like Linux Mint, and it's my default desktop. I'm not personally a big fan of KDE, though I do know some people whose opinions I respect that prefer KDE to Gnome. Both are good desktops, and both will accomplish the tasks that your friend is looking to do. Really, it's just a choice of which one does he like better.

karlo, on 09 February 2012 - 07:37 AM, said:

Anyway I'm waiting for everyone's reply. As of now, I'm burning Windows XP into a CD-R.

I hope that answered your questions. Please feel free to ask anything else if I can clarify my answers or answer new questions. I'm more than willing to help out.

[LiveBrianD]

You can make an ISO image of a Windows 7 disc and use the Windows 7 download tool to get it onto a thumb drive. However, that PC might not support usb booting.

[Justin123]

I think you should go for Linux Mint.

[wojtekdstymk]

You can use Ubuntu and install GNOME.

Other option would be to use USB boot and install Windows 7 like the above poster mentioned. That's what I did on a friends laptop that broke dvd drive.