# OpenIndiana

5 Hacker News commenters recommended OpenIndiana and 3 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for anyone wanting Solaris on x86_64, praised as rock solid with handy zones and boot environments; one reviewer hit display cut-offs under libvirt.

## Why people recommend it

- Solaris on x86_64 enthusiasts (1 comments): "OpenIndiana is where those with general interest in Solaris on x86_64 should go" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47324617))
- Rock solid OS (1 comments): "Rock solid OS, zones are fun to use, boot environments are just so nice" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46715220))
- Fun zones feature (1 comments): "Rock solid OS, zones are fun to use, boot environments are just so nice" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46715220))
- Nice boot environments (1 comments): "Rock solid OS, zones are fun to use, boot environments are just so nice" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46715220))

## What people warn about

- Display cut off in libvirt (1 comments): "every time I try to use OI in libvirt I have a problem where the display is cut off" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48036040))
- Little serious documentation yet (1 comments): "objectively didn't last long enough to have time for serious documentation" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46713021))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Windows](https://hackerapproved.com/p/windows.md): 1287 recommend
- [macOS](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macos.md): 1041 recommend
- [Linux](https://hackerapproved.com/p/linux.md): 745 recommend
- [Haiku](https://hackerapproved.com/p/haiku-os.md): 115 recommend
- [NetBSD](https://hackerapproved.com/p/netbsd.md): 100 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "OpenIndiana", https://hackerapproved.com/p/openindiana/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).