[MeeGo-dev] CPU Architectures (was Re: Build for a standard PC)

[Ross Kendall]

On 07/04/10 07:56, Riku Voipio wrote:
>
>> on the x86 side, I kinda disagree with your choices.
>> Every linux distribution to date picks one "start point" in the x86
>> evolution,
>> and supports everything after that. Right now, MeeGo uses "Core2Duo"
>> as that starting point
>> (which is now 4 years old or so), which includes Atom as well.....
>
> But Cpu's without SSSE3 didn't exactly disappear from market 4 years
> ago.. they are still on sale! And many people haven't bothered
> upgrading their PC's for last 4 years either. 

While I don't have a problem with Meego being optimised for the Atom, it
would also be good to have a (supported) build that runs well on older
x86 processors (how old, being a matter of debate).

One use case is re-purposing older hardware such as old laptops for
netbook style use. There is a distinct lack of modern user-friendly
operating systems that run well on older hardware.  Since Meego is
light-weight in order to run on smart phones, it should also be able to
run quite well on low-spec older hardware.

This could be a boon to the 3rd world, along the lines of OLPC.

Personally, I plan on installing Meego on an old Thinkpad T23 (pentium
3) for use by my young son. No reason why this couldn't be a good laptop OS.

Ross.