Aros on laptops

[HenryCase]

Typing this on my Aros powered Aspire... well happy

Congratulations! Glad you're happy with your new machine. :-)

Should point out AspireOS 1.5 is due to be released any time now (maybe even today), and brings some nice new features (system-wide icon snapshotting, Intel 3D graphics acceleration, etc...). See announcement here:
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=62336#forumpost62336

[HenryCase]

Yup, I downloaded and installed it yesterday and had a nosey around aros-archives... Sonic the Hedgehog looks great running on the dgen port

Cool. :-)

downloading Icaros right now.   Going to see if I can get the full install booting off my USB memory stick.  From screenshots it looks very elegant.   Is UAE included?  Does Icaros/AROS have a website with a files section so we can download other things?   I would have registered on the AROS exec forum, but yahoo.com email addys not allowed..  oh well.

Yes, UAE is included, and if I remember correctly the AROS Kickstart ROM is as well, meaning it's ready to use straight away. Additional programs for AROS can be found on AROS Archives ( http://archives.aros-exec.org/ ) and Aminet ( http://aros.aminet.net/ ), but probably the best way to keep track of new software releases is to read AROS-Exec forum posts. I could see if there's a chance of removing the block on your particular email address, if you like. PM it to me, and I'll see what I can do.

[HenryCase]

@HenryCase

That is probably the best looking UI in all the "Amiga" like OS's (Amiga OS classic vs AmigaOS 4 vs MorphOS) ..  I ran it thru VirtualBox and it ran fine..I'm going to see if I can get it to load in a USB drive.

Of course best looking is a subjective decision, but I'm glad to hear you like the UI.

If you're looking to install AROS to a USB stick, I'd recommend taking a look at the Icaros manual, section 3.1:
http://www.icarosdesktop.com/icarosfiles/IcarosDesktop_manual.pdf

The Icaros manual has quite a bit of useful information, definitely worth looking through to get to know how to install and configure AROS.

[HenryCase]

Somebody tried that on an IBM T42?

Yes. See here:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Aros/Platforms/x86_Complete_System_HCL#IBM.2FLenovo

As you can see, support for the T42 isn't perfect, but it's not bad. Probably the main thing to do if you wanted to use AROS on the T42 right now would be get a supported wireless device (an internal card or a USB wireless dongle). You can read more about USB wireless dongle support here:
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?start=0&topic_id=6299&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0

[HenryCase]

Maybe im so stupid but cant install aron on a usb stick, theres some incompatible usb sticks but i dont know.

If you wish to install AROS to a USB flash drive, I'd advise using a virtual machine like VirtualBox or VMware to set this up. First, you need to format the USB drive with FAT32 and make sure the 'bootable' flag is set. If you're using Windows, using this tool will make all this straightforward (please note this software will work with all USB flash drives):
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/HP-USB-Disk-Storage-Format-Tool.shtml

Next, get a virtual machine solution. If you're unsure which one to go for, start with VirtualBox. https://www.virtualbox.org/

You will need to play around with mounting the external USB drive as a drive that VirtualBox can use. Here are a couple of guides that tell you what you need to know (Disclaimer: I wrote the first guide):
http://forums.trinityhome.org/viewtopic.php?t=1586
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6216

In VirtualBox, mount the AROS ISO image. You should then be able to start AROS inside the virtual machine. You can then use the AROS installer to install to the USB drive.

Hope this helps. Please let me/us know if you get stuck.

I switched from AspireOS to Icaros 1.3.3 with the latest update and have set up Amibridge, I have to say I love the integration and even the matching mouse pointers makes it seem even more transparent to the user, the only thing missing now is Flash to make a complete user experience.

Flash would be nice, but there's plenty of other work to do before this is likely to happen.

However, one thing to bear in mind is that the first Zune Fix bounty is likely to be taken soon (a well respected AROS developer has shown an interest). Fixing Zune will make Odyssey Web Browser (a.k.a. MOS-OWB) easier to port, and Odyssey has workarounds for lack of Flash (e.g. it can play videos from YouTube).

what about Macbooks? Has anybody tried?

People have got AROS running on x86 Macs. Your best bet is to burn an AROS live CD, and try it out first, before deciding if you want to install it. You've got a few different options when it comes to AROS distros, probably worth trying out Icaros first:
http://www.icarosdesktop.org/
If you have trouble installing it, best to ask on the AROS-Exec forums for help.

[HenryCase]

THX i have read that but wanted some info from one who actually tried it. How is the speed and how about surfing the web and watching flash, divx and the like movies?

Watching movies is going to be fine, as long as you avoid CPU-intensive HD content, as MPlayer supports virtually any format you throw at it.

Flash isn't supported (not yet, at least). Surfing the web is fine.

As for speed, try out a live CD. I imagine you'll be happy enough with the speed. Now consider, it'll be even faster installed on a hard drive! That should tell you all you need to know. ;-)

[HenryCase]

WOW... doing a USB CDROM install of Icaros.. MAN!!! This looks FREAKIN SHARP!!! How responsive!   I'm excited!!!

Glad to hear you're liking what you see TheMagicM. :-)

Would like to advise you purchase a supported wireless dongle, if you want an even better experience. These are known to work and cost less than $15 USD:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_kw=usb%20rtl8187b&_clu=2&_fcid=154&_localstpos=&_stpos=&gbr=1