[ILUG] Buying a laptop

[Brendan Halpin]

Can I pick your collective brains on laptops, Linux and Dell?

I've finally decided I need a laptop, but I suspect there are a lot
of hardware issues I don't understand, particularly relating to
Linux.

I'm looking at Dell's site and trying to figure my way around the
models (when I alter the spec to get what I want in terms of Mbs
and Gbs, they all seem pretty close in price). 

Question 1: They're all (broadly) Linux compatible, yes?

Question 2: WTF is a Xircom Combo Type III RBEM and its friends?
            Alternatively, if I want a modem and cheap network
            connector that work under Linux, what should I order?

Question 3: Is installing Linux alongside WinMe any trickier than
            alongside Win95?

Question 4: Should I be considering Inspiron, Lattitude, other
            manufacturers? 

This and any other advice gratefully accepted!

Regards,

Brendan
-- 
Brendan Halpin, Dept of Government and Society, Limerick University, Ireland
Tel: w +353-61-213147; f +353-61-202569; h +353-61-390476; Room S1-03 x 3147
<mailto:brendan.halpin at ul.ie>        <http://wivenhoe.staff8.ul.ie/~brendan>