Any Suggestions/Warnings For Buying a Laptop?

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Word Warrior · #1 Post by **Word Warrior** » Sat 03 Jan 2009, 00:35

Any suggestions/warnings for buying a laptop to run Linux on? I would be especially interested in people's experiences with power management, i.e. laptop models/hardware that are terrible or great in this regard. I understand that power management is an issue even on laptops where Linux is preinstalled.

aarf · #2 Post by **aarf** » Sat 03 Jan 2009, 01:37

Linux has issues with drivers for hardware. Get the Linux you want to use and install it into a bootable flashdrive and take it with you when purchasing. Thoroughly test everything that you want to use on the laptop with the flashdrive installed Linux.

urban soul · #3 Post by **urban soul** » Sun 04 Jan 2009, 14:09

- you want to know the chipset of your mainboard. It might be from intel.
- some vendors put 'certified for linux'-logos on their laptops. (e.g. lenovo)
- Best chance to get powermanagement working is with a 1-2 year old intel chipset. The newestlatest are allways a bit tricky due the general lack of linux support.

HTH
urban

Aitch · #4 Post by **Aitch** » Sun 04 Jan 2009, 16:03

Some would say - DON'T

...but it depends more how & what you use it for

EEEPCs seem quite good value & Puppify quite well, I hear

Aitch

Word Warrior · #5 Post by **Word Warrior** » Mon 26 Jan 2009, 02:28

An issue that is not Linux-specific is that some laptops are not able to record from any source except the built-in microphone. See this link for more information:

http://temporaryland.wordpress.com/2008 ... d-laptops/

Lobster · #6 Post by **Lobster** » Mon 26 Jan 2009, 05:18

Histonic Industries are In Canada and if still going have Puppy savvy advice
http://puppylinux.org/wiki/archives/old ... /shoppuppy

I would get the same laptop as Barry - an Acer
or a netbook - probably the latest Atom powered Eeepc with Xandros

If you can find a laptop with splashtop - minimalist Linux with browser and skype in firmware , , ,

Buy hardware that comes with Linux - Dell offer Ubuntu
Its your money - now go inquire - do you run Penguin?

kirk · #7 Post by **kirk** » Mon 26 Jan 2009, 05:32

Don't know where your located, but you might want to check this out:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1145155

Yesterday I picked up a Dell Insperion 1525 w/intel dual core t4200 3GB RAM for $343 free shipping.

P.S. www.slickdeals.net is good for finding good deals on all kinds of stuff you don't need.

brymway · #8 Post by **brymway** » Fri 30 Jan 2009, 19:36

Don't buy new! The whole reason for Puppy is so that you don't have to pay new prices. Check your want ads and buy used. Then you can be really choosy and get what you really want.

HairyWill · #9 Post by **HairyWill** » Fri 30 Jan 2009, 20:30

http://www.puppylinux.org/wiki/hardware ... opsworking

I have had a couple of reconditioned thinkpads that are very good from here:
http://www.sterlingxs.co.uk/scpages/IBM ... cials.html
There is currently an x31 on this page for 114UKP with some case cracks it will run puppy really well, weighs about 1.7kg and has a 1024x768 screen. Your only significant compromises are, puny graphics card and probably a battery life of less than 2 hours.

Lobster · #10 Post by **Lobster** » Sat 31 Jan 2009, 01:49

Don't know where your located

The guy (or is it dude now) is in Canada . . .

Good advice from Hairy Thinkpads are good solid machines

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Any Suggestions/Warnings For Buying a Laptop?

Any Suggestions/Warnings For Buying a Laptop?

Re: Any Suggestions/Warnings For Buying a Laptop?