The ASUS ultrabook is an SSD-only platform, without an optical (CD or DVD) drive. As far as I have read, it comes with Windows 7 installed (why am I not surprised?). The details are somewhat sketchy, and no indication is seen as to whether this is a BIOS or EFI/UEFI environment. It appears that any installation(s) must proceed from network or USB sources.
Before my interest is raised or disappointed, I am curious if
Can existing install procedures be used to install openSUSE on the SSD ?
Given #1, and assuming BIOS supports USB booting, can the installer run from a USB-attached DVD device ?
Is the only viable install device a bootable flash drive ?
Will the installer or other partitioning tools treat the SSD as any other HD ?
Does the existing GRUB (legacy) work on SSD devices ?
These concerns are preliminary, as I am not committed to the ASUS UX-series in any way (yet). I have read all the SSD-related threads found (so far), which seem to deal with combination HD/SSD installs. Of course, if an SSD-only looks just like a PC with a single HD, all should work as expected.
Yes. I re-read this (in response to your reply), and the procedure(s) refer to an existing, running openSUSE environment, adding the SSD. This procedure could be used if I removed the SSD from the new ASUS, inserted it into a caddy (have one), and proceeded to build the target. This would be an option in the absence of direct install capability. However, in the absence of a running openSUSE system, such as a new user, this is not a workable alternative.
Yes, there should be no problem, install as usually.
Given #1, and assuming BIOS supports USB booting, can the installer run from a USB-attached DVD device ?
Is the only viable install device a bootable flash drive ?
Both (USB DVD and USB flash disk) should be possible. More over you can install from network (via PXE).
Will the installer or other partitioning tools treat the SSD as any other HD ?
AFAIK, yes. If you want to be sure that the partitions are properly aligned create partitions manually before installing and later just assign them in the installer.
Does the existing GRUB (legacy) work on SSD devices ?
Yes, no problem there, BIOS/UEFI treats them the same way as HDD, so no difference.
…Of course, if an SSD-only looks just like a PC with a single HD, all should work as expected.
Yes, SSD-only PC is like a PC with a small but very fast HDD
On 10/18/2011 06:36 PM, SeanMc98 wrote:
>
> I would rather ask now rather than expend “one large” (1000$US) and
> discover I have an expensive Win 7 notebook!
just because most SSDs looks (to openSUSE) like a small FAST hard
drive has nothing whatsoever to do with how the rest of the hardware in
Asus UX21, UX31 ultra-books works with Linux, or not!
pay particular attention to graphics, builtins (web cam, mic, speakers),
audio, cpu control, heat, battery life…etc…
take a Live CD to the shop and boot up…try it out…make sure stuff
works…check the Asus web site to see if they support Linux…read
their warranty to see if installing a different OS voids the warranty…etc.
Most certainly! The SSD issue was the first item on the somewhat specious list. I have never balked at trying and testing something new, or pioneering new ideas. I just prefer not to walk point in a possible mine field.
After my history with the Intel GMA HD, the graphics will be an important issue. While specifics are sparse, the GA is most likely Intel, along with the Sandy Bridge base. I base the speculation on two issues: case size and heat dissipation. While an aluminum case is a very good heat distributor, I doubt that the case and the few vents may cool both an i5/i7 and nVidia or ATI graphics.
Since the ASUS UX-series is sans an optical drive, testing a Live CD may be problematic. I would be (pleasantly) surprised if any commercial entity would look kindly on my inserting/booting a flash drive. I do know of two shops in New York City where I may do so.
Good observation on the warranty. Perhaps ASUS has learned more than case design from Cupertino. That same warranty issue may be in play should I replace the factory-shipped SSD with a new one. I am led to believe that (my) removal of the HD from our iMac may void that warranty.
