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Laptop to run Linux

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:16 am
by Benjamin
Hey all,

I'll be getting a laptop soon and I want to make sure it will run Linux ok. Anyone have any experience with this or recommendations.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:16 am
by guitarlvr
I had a Dell Inspiron 1100 that would dual boot windows xp and RedHat. It worked just fine. I would imagine any laptop would be able to support linux. as far as suggestions for laptops...i love my thinkpad. :)

Wayne

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:50 am
by shiznatix
I have a compaq presario v5000 and it runs ubuntu quite well. the only problem was the built in wireless was tricky so I just went out and bought a usb wireless card that works perfectly. I just Velcro it to the back of the monitor to keep the cords and everything out of the way. Really though I think that any IBM laptop would be the best bet. There is also some websites out there that sell linux certified laptops with wireless and everything, might want to search for those.

edit: i just upgraded to Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn and my built in wireless card works! so on this laptop everything works out of the box except wireless, you have to install those drivers through a simple utility, took me 2 seconds.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:14 pm
by Chris Corbyn
Ask me 5 or 6 years ago and I'd have to think about it. Now though, Linux will run on anything. Literally. Heh, you can even run linux on your iPod or your PSP. I reckon you could buy almost any laptop and run linux on it fine :)

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:29 pm
by Ambush Commander
I have to disagree with d11twq. Wireless for me has always been a big problem for running Linux. Maybe it's because I have only discount, cheap, USB wireless cards, but as far as I can see there are not drivers for these cards yet. (For the record, I'm talking about DWL-G120 (semi-supported, actually, but I need it for my Windows box), and PCW100).

Since you're purchasing a new laptop, things might be better. Still, it's well worth consulting one of the lists out there to see whether or not the built-in card is supported. I personally find this resource very helpful: http://linux-wless.passys.nl/

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:06 pm
by Christopher
Check sites like this to get specific info on the models you are looking at:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/

There are also places like this:

http://system76.com/index.php/cPath/1