[ILUG] Linux Laptop

[Patrick O'Connor]

On 03/07/07, ollie at eillo.org <ollie at eillo.org> wrote:
>
>
> Im actually looking at a Dell inspiron 1520 online now.
> Laptops with good graphics cards are a lot thinner on
> the ground than i thought. Dells customisation allows me to
> pick a higher end one.
>
> The assumption will be that because Dell are so widespread Linux
> support should be good.


Sounds kinda obvious but what I find helps is to shortlist a few and then
google for ""laptop name" linux" and you'll often find very helpful people
who detail their story of running linux.
I did that with my current laptop (Asus R1F) and got loads of info about how
linux runs on it. Pity I didn't do it before I bought the laptop (Doh!) cos
support is pretty crap!
That said Ubuntu seems to do pretty well with a huge range of hardware.
Runing Ubuntu now allows all my hardware to work apart from the digitizer
which won't seem to behave.

Patrick

BTW I have an azert macbook (not core 2) that I don't really use. Its loaded
with Ubuntu and won't run Mac OS tiger as I upgraded the firmware to run a
dev copy of Panther which was so buggy I couldn't use it (looong story!) If
anyone is interested in giving me a good price for it + bluetooth
keyb/mighty mouse and vga adapter I might be willing to part with it...

The graphics card is a GeForce GO 8600m GT.
>
>
>
> On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:25:46 +0100, Michael Watterson <watty at eircom.net>
> wrote:
> > Josh Glover wrote:
> >> On 02/07/07, ollie at eillo.org <ollie at eillo.org> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Im planning on buying a laptop. Spending about €1000 give or atke a
> >>> bit. I dont particularly care which brand it, though id prefer to
> >>> aviod DELL. It will need to dualboot windows and linux. Ill be
> >>> running Arch Linux which leans toward the DIY side of things so id
> >>> prefer one that has reasonably standard set of hardware thats not
> >>> going to break my heart trying to get everything working.
> >>
> > At that price range I would not avoid Dell. Avoid their cheapest (too
> > cut down) and most expensive (overpriced). I'd avoid Toshiba and Sony
> > :-) Too many new models have shiny screens.
> >
> > A new Core Duo 1.6GHz Toshiba is slower than my old Inspiron 8200,
> > running Vista, or wiped and XP installed.
> >
> > I have an old Dell latitude D505 and everything works on it from the CD
> > default install of Fedora core 6, Centos, Ubuntu fiesty Fawn and Kbuntu
> > Fiesty fawn.
> >
> > My Inspiron 8200 is over 5 years old and still a good laptop, never had
> > to reinstall its XP pro and it runs Linux via VMplayer. I gave up dual
> > boot years ago, though needed if you are developing device drivers. The
> > Debian running on the VMplayer is fine for everything except device
> > drivers (LAN, CD/DVD drive, copy/paste).
> >
> > For DirectX games, XP rather than Vista is still the way to go. Avoid
> > buying anything with Vista unless you know all the XP drivers are
> > available. It's only the MS Direct X 10 games that need Vista. Other
> > Direct X 10 games support DX9 as game developers are not entirely
> stupid.
> >
> > Running Linux as Host and Windows as Guest in VM player will not let
> > DirectX or Dirtect3D work in any sensible fashion.
> >
> > Acer are OK and competitive.
> >> Burn yourself a KNOPPIX or Gentoo LiveCD and take it to the store. Ask
> >> permission to boot off the CD. Make sure all of the hardware works.
> >>
> >> In the States, at least, salespeople are usually cooperative once you
> >> make it clear that their only chance of getting a sale is to let you
> >> check out the hardware your way. In Japan, things are harder, but
> >> smaller hobby shops and even some of the big boys in Akihabara will
> >> let you have at it.
> >>
> >> Anyone tried this in Eire?
> >>
> > Only with DVD players and a homemade SVCD.
> >
> > Most Retail in Ireland have a poor selection IMO.
> >
> > --
> > Mike
> >
> >
>
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