PDA

View Full Version : Linux friendly laptops?



Nequeo
December 13th, 2005, 12:27 PM
Greetings Ubunteros,

I'm currently in the market for a new laptop. Mostly I'll be using it for working on my University assignments during lunch-breaks at work, after hours, on the bus, etc.

Was just wondering if anyone here had any good reccomendations for Linux friendly laptops. Ideally tested with Ubuntu. If you happen to live in Australia, and know a place that sells 'em, I'd be interested in hearing about that, too. Or if you live in America and know a place that will ship internationally. Laptops are either ridiculously cheap in America, or ridiculously expensive in Australia!

I'd mostly I'd be compiling stuff. So processor is important. No Celeron's for me, thank you very much! I don't really care about RAM. 256MB should be fine. If Gnome performs poorly with that, I'll just switch to Xfce, or even Fluxbox. I'd like built in - working - wireless and ethernet, and at least a 15" screen. Sound and working hibernation would be a bonus, but aren't necessary. Apart from that, I don't care, and would prefer to save costs by leaving out features if possible.

Any ideas?

23meg
December 13th, 2005, 12:30 PM
Check these out for a start:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam
http://www.linux-laptop.net/

Nequeo
December 13th, 2005, 02:48 PM
Thanks... Those are excellent links to check for Ubuntu compatibility in a laptop. But the question about where to buy laptops without Windows still stands.

I happen to be a reseller for Ingram Micro Australia, as well as several other IT distributers, and none of them stock laptops without Windows pre-installed!

Cheers,

23meg
December 13th, 2005, 03:00 PM
In theory (read: EULA) you should be able to give back your unused copy of Windows and get a refund. You might consider talking in advance to your OEM about this and if they do accept the deal, go ahead and buy from them.

Also check out the Community Market Place (http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=38) forum here, where laptops preinstalled with Ubuntu are on offer.

ubuntu_demon
December 13th, 2005, 03:05 PM
see also :
http://www.tuxmobil.org/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportMachinesLaptops

I'm speaking as a forum user instead of as a staff member. AFAIK if you want a laptop by a big manufacturer HP offers the best Ubuntu compatibility.

http://www.ubuntulinux.org/support/custom/hplaptops
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportMachinesLaptopsHewlettPackard

Mr. Electric Wizard
December 13th, 2005, 03:13 PM
I have a HP ze2308wm (wal-mart special) and it works wonderfully with Ubuntu [after some initial tweaking :) ]

yukikimura
December 24th, 2005, 09:53 PM
How did you get the walmart laptop to run with ubuntu. Can you please give me steps to install?
I have the same laptop but the screen just turns black when i try to install.
Thanks in advance.

kaamos
December 24th, 2005, 09:55 PM
Just a guess: try installing with the parameters "linux vga=771"

The Warlock
December 24th, 2005, 10:24 PM
I've heard IBM/Levono is pretty good, but I haven't tried myself.

Oh, and whatever you do, don't buy systems from bargain-basement internet sites like ibuypower.com. They will **** with you on every turn when hardware fails (and it will). Trust me.

Deaf_Head
December 24th, 2005, 10:35 PM
@the warlock .. so will anybody else. There is a reason why dell laptops come so cheap =P

Anyhow, I have an Alienware Area51m (766/5500 model) and everything works perfect .. I ahven't tried playing ut2k4 or anything in ubuntu though .. I use windows for that.

Havoc
December 24th, 2005, 11:04 PM
The ASUS Z71v is powerful, fast, fairly small & light and has a good battery life.Plus, it works GREAT with Ubuntu.
It probably has features you don't need, and a price tag you don't want, but hey! It's a start!

Check Here (http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2346) for a review of the Asus Z71v.

phen
December 24th, 2005, 11:18 PM
HP supports ubuntu on their nc6120 nc6220 nc8xxx etc notebooks. for more info see:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=35244

i use it on one, with breezy installed. it works very well. i like to support hp because of their effort for open source. i've heard that they don't sell these laptops windows-free in the states, though :-(

these laptops are kinda business laptops, nothing for gaming, a little more expensive than others, but they look good, feel good, work well and hp's service is superb. i use it for university and i am satisfied. i dont work for hp :-)

merry christmas!

yukikimura
December 25th, 2005, 12:05 AM
i was able to install unbuntu using linux vga= 776, but for some reason i can't get into x windows.

kaamos
December 25th, 2005, 12:30 AM
i was able to install unbuntu using linux vga= 776, but for some reason i can't get into x windows.

So loading the login screen fails?
When this occurs, press ctrl+alt+F1 (or F2-F6..) and try this command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
And then:

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart
Hope this gets X running. If not, try the command "startx" and post the errors here. Help will probably be available. :)

infoseeker
December 25th, 2005, 12:33 AM
You should boot straight into the login screen and then Gnome (or KDE, whichever you installed).

yukikimura
December 25th, 2005, 12:36 AM
oops...posted wrong

afhp
December 25th, 2005, 01:27 AM
Running Kubuntu (Hoary, upgraded to Breezy) with no problem on an old Thinkpad T21. Thinkpads are usually well-supported, but you'll definitely want a more recent model. The linux-thinkpad mailing list might be of help :
http://mailman.linux-thinkpad.org/pipermail/linux-thinkpad/

John.Michael.Kane
December 25th, 2005, 01:37 AM
http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html
http://system76.com/index.php/cPath/1?gclid=COrj-NjGloICFTsuGgodn1hCuQ
http://www.linux-laptop.net/
http://www.emperorlinux.com/

yukikimura
December 25th, 2005, 02:13 AM
i looked at other forums and saw that i could use vesa, tried that out and it worked. I am not working on getting the wireless to work