Laptops that just works???

[KajuNM]

I'm in search a a New Laptop. I have search for a lot of different makes & models, and all I see are nothing but problems. Are there any laptops out there that will just work out of the box?

I have ubuntu 9.10 32 bit on a 11/2 old eMachines Desktop and it works perfectly. I just would like to know if there are any laptops out there where I can Install or a preinstall, laptop where everything just works, most of the problems I see are sound cards not working, or video cards not working.

I was wondering should I stay away from ATI & nVidia grahics cards. I have a Intel GMA 950 graphics card, and it works with 0 problems. I would like some feedback from you guys to let me know maybe what kind of laptop I should be looking for.......

[kentechy]

My HP DV6000 has worked well with several versions of Ubuntu. I am running Karmic now, which I installed fresh, and the only special drivers I needed were the "Broadcom STA Wireless Driver" and the "NVIDIA 185 Driver" When you install the OS make sure you have an ethernet cable attached so that the "restricted" drivers listed above can be found through your internet connection. A little icon should appear on the upper panel near the Date and Time that will lead you to installing the wireless and video drivers if you just let it sit connected for a while. At least, that is how it has worked for me...

:P

[steveneddy]

I have been a customer of System76 (http://www.system76.com/) for a few years now and have purchased many laptops from them over the years and have experienced nothing but the best support and rock solid hardware.

Will purchase another laptop after the first of the year for myself to replace a three year old System76 (http://www.system76.com/) unit.

System76 PC's come with Ubuntu preinstalled and EVERYTHING WORKS!

I have upgraded my personal laptop many times with Ubuntu and every time it works perfectly out of the box the first time.

[kentechy]

Can you buy the System 76 laptops with no operating system? I checked them out and they look pretty slick..

[Digikid]

They are just glorified Netbooks. No optical drives at all unless you go external. At least that is what I am seeing from the pictures.

[Knowle]

There are a few I know of that have Ubuntu pre-installed. System76 is one, and they do have built in CD/RW drives, they all aren't netbooks but they do offer one. You could also get a laptop from Dell. Dell currently offers both the Inspiron 15n (which I have and am currently typing on) and the Studio XPS 13. There are a few other places that have Ubuntu(mainly) pre-installed but I can't think of them at the moment but I'm sure someone else will post them. ;)

http://system76.com/index.php

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[cajual]

The absolutely cheapest laptops with all the bells and whistles are consistently from Toshiba. System76 couldn't touch the price I got on my Newegg Toshiba a505 for similar specs. Been a fan of Toshiba for upwards of a decade now, and with my recent Linux musings, even more so as of late.

[LeifAndersen]

You can also get some dells pre-loaded with ubuntu. Go to dell's website, and search for ubuntu.

[marshmallow1304]

They are just glorified Netbooks. No optical drives at all unless you go external. At least that is what I am seeing from the pictures.

The only model that doesn't have an optical drive is the Starling netbook.

[iponeverything]

A pre-loaded with Ubuntu might be your safest bet.

The problem is that you are dealing with a moving target, something that works with 8.10 might break with 9.04 and then start working again with 9.10.. etc. I install a release, get everything working and I will stick with it for couple of years or until I have compelling reason to upgrade to a new release. I don't upgrade just for sake of upgrading. While that might be somewhat entertaining, my wife expects things to "just work".

[sandy8925]

As mentioned by others Dell and System76 sell laptops preloaded with Ubuntu. I think HP does too but not sure. Intel cards work out of the box. But ATI and Nvidia are obviously better and recommended if you want desktop effects. I've been using nvidia on my desktop with the drivers directly dowlodaded from the nvidia website and I haven't had any problems at all.

[Digikid]

Dell is junk though. Pure and simple bar none. I would trust one of System76 units rather than Dell.

Here is a good reason:
http://consumerist.com/2009/12/dell-mini-9-mysteriously-ablaze-pics.html

[pricetech]

I support a whole herd of Dell boxen and I have no complaints.

Currently my work laptop is a Latitude which came with XP and has Hardy running on it now. Zero problems. I had Jaunty on it first, but switched to Hardy cause I liked it better.

[Psumi]

I have been a customer of System76 (http://www.system76.com/) for a few years now and have purchased many laptops from them over the years and have experienced nothing but the best support and rock solid hardware.

Will purchase another laptop after the first of the year for myself to replace a three year old System76 (http://www.system76.com/) unit.

System76 PC's come with Ubuntu preinstalled and EVERYTHING WORKS!

I have upgraded my personal laptop many times with Ubuntu and every time it works perfectly out of the box the first time.

What about fresh installs?

[samh785]

They are just glorified Netbooks. No optical drives at all unless you go external. At least that is what I am seeing from the pictures.
I'm not sure if you're talking about system76 laptops or not, but the majority of them definitely have built-in optical drives. :)

[LowSky]

System76 uses Lain-Li cases for 2 of their desktops... ok I'm impressed. Not going to buy one, but I am impressed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112250
http://system76.com/images/leo1_main_large.jpg
Maybe If they sold a ION powered netbook I would replace my Lenovo S10

[jayze]

I've never come across a laptop that worked out of the box as well as a desktop...if it were me and money was not a problem i'd get a mac...since money is a problem if it were me I'd go dell with ubuntu...:)

[Georgia boy]

I was just looking at Overstock.com. Ouch!!! Has anyone looked at the prices they have on their laptops? And most of them refurbished at that!
Don't think I'll be buying anything from that site. I'd be hitting garage sales before buying there.;)
I've checked other sites: zareasons,dell, hp, qvc, hsn etc. Just window shopping for now until I can convince the other half to let me get one someday.

Tom

[pricetech]

I was just looking at Overstock.com. Ouch!!! Has anyone looked at the prices they have on their laptops? And most of them refurbished at that!
Don't think I'll be buying anything from that site. I'd be hitting garage sales before buying there.;)
I've checked other sites: zareasons,dell, hp, qvc, hsn etc. Just window shopping for now until I can convince the other half to let me get one someday.

Tom

I visited "the big o" a time or two myself. I didn't find any deals there at all. Just a bunch of refurb stuff with little or no warranty for almost retail. Seems I recall the freight was ridiculous too.