hp2133 on XP and Ubuntu--a functional lineup

I've now experienced the HP2133 with three OSes: Suse Linux (original install), Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron), and finally windows XP home edition (SP2).

Suse Enterprise Desktop 10.3:

The only thing that didn't work was the webcam. I actually cannot confirm it didn't work as there was no supporting applications, like cheese, to test it. Networking and wifi worked without issue, and power saving modes, suspend and hibernate, also worked.

I wasn't impressed with the interface Novell has come up with and I prefer debian packages to Suse's YAST.

SD card reader worked flawlessly and previewed Nikon's NEF raw format, with f-stop, a bundled photo management tool.

Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Herron:

This wasn't an easy switch and one that almost made me rethink my decision. Networking worked, wifi didn't and it took 4 days to fix it--the open source community saved the day!

Raw file formats were also supported through f-stop which was
bundled in the install. Performance was not all that great. Reading a
4gig SDHC card took way too long--minutes not seconds.

A few weeks after installing Ubuntu, I updated the kernel headers,
along with a slew of other application updates. This update proved too
much for the hack job that fixed the wifi. It worked for unprotected
networks, but WPA would not negotiate--this really sucked as that's
what I protect my home network with.

Video worked... sorta. At least cheese allowed me to snap still shots with the webcam and I could record video, but skype and flash-based seesmic.com did not function properly. It was this last problem that made me switch to XP. HP has released two XP configurations as well as the necessary XP drivers, so it seemed like the time to try it.

Windows XP home edition (SP2):

Everything works under XP...well almost everything. It would appear that video is just not the 2133's cup of tea. Seesmic worked pretty good, but it simply could not keep up. After about 10 seconds of recording, the video capture would freeze.

I then tried out some video chat over skype. Video failed and although my girlfriend could hear me fine, I could not understand a word she said.

Power management works fine under XP; it hibernates when the battery runs low (this is configurable through the power mgmt settings) and will suspend when the lid closes (also configurable).

No native support for Nikon raw, like there is with FREE open source--go figure, but I do have the software that came with the camera. The question; is it worth it to stick with XP just for a few features and stable wifi. Well the wifi stability is certainly a BIGGIE, but I'm hopefull a solution is comming with Linux.

If video worked in XP, I'd say it would be worth it. But it's just not gonna work as I've seen it so far. I just don't like being tied into the unimaginative XP. People try and try to make it something more, but it's fundamentally flawed in this area. MS just doesn't want people to have free choice.

I'll most likely switch back to Ubuntu and go through the hassle of setting Mini-me as a dual boot system. It's not really that big a deal, other than having to reboot; this little guy just wasn't built for vertuallization.

So that's my story--err Mini-me's story. I'd love to heaar from other HP2133 owners out there.

Update: 10 days left to call M$ and straighten out the activation issue... still not sure if I want XP.

Last Update (08-04-2008): (To this entry) I let the activation grace period run out on XP. I tried installing Kubuntu (because I couldn't find the Ubuntu disk) So I'll give a brief take on it.

Kubuntu:

Kubuntu IS ubuntu but tuned for KDE window and desktop managment instead of Ubuntu's Gnome. My first task was to check WIFI--NO, didn't work. I was hopefull with the recent kernel updates, but apparently there are still some issues.

Second thing I wanted to do is switch the theme. NO Theme Manager?!! WTF!?! Couldn't figure out how to skin/theme kdm (the graphical login) either.

My opinion of KDE is this: it's a good windows replacement. Many of my coworkers use it. I find it bulky and slow. My preference is WindowMaker which just doesn't function well on top of a Kubuntu flavored install. I can safely report that under Ubuntu, WindowMaker works just fine!

As far as functionality goes, it has all the basics and (if you have the free memory) gives you an all around good environment.

Conclusion:

Of all these OSes listed above,  my first choice is Windows XP. Second choice is Ubuntu. I list XP first because everything works from the start--this is critical for normal users who don't want hassle. The downside to XP is $ cost $ AND availability. It will soon be impossible to find.

The webcam isn't functional for video chat on anyplatform, so it doesn't factor into the equation. That's pretty sad, IMO.

For the technology enthusiast, Ubuntu is my pick.