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View Full Version : Looking for Dell laptop recommendation



Nolgthorn
March 12th, 2006, 07:51 AM
Nerds,

I am going to be spending a lot of money on a linux/Windows laptop system in the coming months.

Primarily I use my computer for coding, browsing the Internet and video or graphics in Linux. I will also boot into Windows sometimes and want to be able to play older games decently, say Doom 3 and Half Life 2, etc. Also I would like a secondary monitor, I am not sure how to support dual monitors with Linux so I'm keeping that in mind too if anyone has any input on this.

I understand that NVIDIA is the way to go but I don't know much about the alternatives, such as Intel graphics or anything like that, I also don't know what Dell has to offer with NVIDIA cards. I can't find very many systems that use them.

I don't need a powerhouse here, just something that will get me by, not use tons of electricity or get really hot and also work with Linux. The price isn't a big deal as long as it's pretty good but stays cool, and doesn't weigh like a ton of steel.

I am looking at the Latitude notebooks from Dell, because they are beautiful. I have read a lot of the time that the Inspiron notebooks just don't stand up to abuse, they are error prone and just generally flimsy. If this is the case then I would rather go to business class.

A docking station for the laptop would be nice, but it's not necessary, any good recommendations? I want one of the docking stations that stands the laptop up and allows me to see the screen.

Help me choose which laptop to buy!

:-k

bjweeks
March 12th, 2006, 08:32 AM
Why Dell?


older games decently, say Doom 3 and Half Life 2, etc.

um thats not old and very few laptops are going to play them well.

Nolgthorn
March 12th, 2006, 11:17 PM
Ok forget the games, what laptop should I buy? Can ATI do dual monitors in Linux?

basketcase
March 13th, 2006, 12:14 AM
FWIW,
I've got an Inspiron 6000 and it loads Ubuntu almost perfectly (wifi led doesn't work).

I think the equivilant in the Latitudes is the D810.

Good luck!

BTW, Ubuntu has been the only distro to load my 1900x1200 resolution :D

rfruth
March 13th, 2006, 12:35 AM
What price range, expansion base (with expansion slots) ? Since all Dell's come with Windows :mad: preinstalled (thus 100 percent of the hard disk is for Windows) and you don't get *Windows* CDs (you get 'restore' CDs) creating a dual boot machine may not be straight forward ...

imagine
March 13th, 2006, 01:20 AM
Ok forget the games, what laptop should I buy? Can ATI do dual monitors in Linux?
Well, if I bought a new notebook and wanted to put Linux on it, then I'd avoid ATI anyway.

aysiu
March 13th, 2006, 01:37 AM
This page may help:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportMachinesLaptopsDell

John.Michael.Kane
March 13th, 2006, 01:48 AM
http://www.xtremenotebooks.com/index.php?section=catagory&include_type=14_inch
http://www.xtremenotebooks.com/index.php?section=catagory&include_type=14_inch
http://www.pricewatch.com/m-336.htm you can find many white box no OS laptops, and build your own even with an nvidia card..