Comparison: 11.0 and 11.1 - Which is the best distro?

Hei,

I just wondered how those of you who has used both OpenSuSE 11.0 and 11.1 will judge the newer compared to the first one. Has it generally improved or are there drawbacks as well. Maybe specify and elaborate on the features which, from your point of view, has improved or, opposite, has had setbacks. (It became very solemn and formal this:shame:)

Which is the best distro?

Cheers,
Olav

Well for a true comparison, you really cant compare something with itself, after all OpenSuse 11.0 and 11.1 are essentially the same except newer kernel/applications but at their core they are practically the same.
Now Compare OpenSuse to say Mandriva or Ubuntu and you could get more of a feedback.
In any case it seems OpenSuse 11.0 works better for me then 11.1, because I have severe slowdowns and such with 11.1.

Judging by the DVD media…

As Shipped: openSUSE 11.0
After Updates: openSUSE 11.1

If you use KDE 4, then openSUSE 11.1 clearly has a superior version.

However, openSUSE 11.1 as shipped has a bootloader bug that makes handling GRUB flaky. This bug even affects the repair tools. So if you only have an openSUSE 11.1 disc but are not a CLI sysadmin, you might end up doing whole re-installations that would otherwise be unnecessary. Thus if I had to choose between them for a computer that lacked internet access, I’d go with 11.0. Otherwise, 11.1 for sure.

Well perhaps it was a bad idea to compare two versions of the same distro, but in my experience it is always some difference from version to version in how well the OS works. I am happy with my 11.0 and do not wish to change at least while it still is supported from both the official repoes and from packman, unless it is a very good reason for doing so. It is always some puzzling and sorting out to find solutions that has to be done after a reinstall/upgrade, and I am to lazy to go along and upgrade with every new version of the distro that comes out. I had to do so with the 10 series due to both driver problems and problems of different character especially with 10.1. I was happy with 10.0 but had different, rather severe, problems with all the others. The, possible, main reason for my issues with 10.2 and 10.3 was due to a new computer which I bought at the time which gave me troubles with sata connected devices in particular but also, more than at present, issues with software programmes, e.g. Yast software manager (inherited problems from 10.1?). Everything seems fine with 11.0 on my sytem now and if I should want to upgrade there should be some new or improved feature which would be beneficial for me. That kde4 is performing better under 11.1 is in that respect interesting, though I am perfectly comfortable with kde3 for now.

I just thought it could be a bit interesting to learn about/share some similar experience with this last upgrade as 11.1 is now rather mature. The history judge:)

Cheers!

I think 11.0 is “better” than 11.1 becuase I like the install for 11.0 better plus I like the KDE 3.5.x better, but on some equipment the 11.1 drivers are better out of the box, especially for wireless.

I think 11.1 is better and I can’t wait for 11.2lol!

OpenSuSE 11.0 … is better than OpenSuSE 11.1.
OpenSuSE 11.0 … is better then Ubuntu 9.04

OpenSuSE 11.0 Rocks!!!

If you use a laptop and you can wait to the end of the year for a mature KDE 4 then I would strongly suggest openSUSE 11.0 with Desktop 3.5.
This because

  • the bluetooth support is excellent, works out of the box and the one of 11.1 is just crap
  • 11.0 works nearly as good as 11.1 with your hardware
  • 11.0 is much less buggy and has fewer issues with install

There are a few things that can instead be useful to you in 11.1:

  • the networkmanager works better
  • you may get some newer version of some software (although that varies)
  • you have in my experience a very slight extension of battery life

If you want to use KDE 4 then the only rational choice is IMHO 11.1

openSUSE very good at openSUSE 11.1 work with hardware. In openSUSE 11.1 has kernel ACIP bug and not lilo.