There are a number of reasons why one should consider using Crux rather than distributions like Ubuntu or SuSE, even though the latter two are considered more easy in terms of maintenance and usage, especially on a laptop. The main reason is speed. Source based distributions compile the software as part of the installation process of a package, which means that it is always optimized for your architecture. The Armada models are a few years old now, and though they are fast and big (in terms of memory and hard disk space) enough for me, I wouldn't feel the same if I were trying to use, say, OpenSuSE 10.1 on it^[1].

Another very valid reason is that Crux is set up with ease of use in mind. This doesn't mean that is has nice point-and-click interfaces. It doesn't. You setup and maintain your system by editing configuration files and grepping through logs. Applications like SuSE's Yast depend on a jungle of interdependent shell scripts which all start with phrases like do not edit. However, when you want to do something the creators of Yast didn't think of, you still have to and you're almost certain to break things. On Crux there is nothing you didn't install and configure manually to begin with, so you always know what is going on. Nothing ever breaks and no choices are made for you by companies that don't know you and your requirments. And meanwhile you learn a lot about Linux in general instead of SuSE in particular.

Having said all this, installing a do-it-yourself distribution like Crux^[2] on a laptop requires you to think a little now and then. You will find that things that are automated on some other distributions take time to set up. If you don't like that, move away.