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#1 2011-10-04 20:59:35

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

New laptops that support Arch/Linux

I know there's another thread that deals with laptops in general, but there's a lot of older laptops there. I'm on a fairly new laptop, I've owned it for about 6 months but I'm not happy with it's performance, especially with how much of a PITA it is to get Linux working properly. Currently I have a Dell Inspiron M5010 with an AMD Phenom II X3. I had to really play around with boot time flags to get Ubuntu to load at the time of purchase. Coming from a Dell that came with Ubuntu, this was really disappointing to say the least.

Well, now I'm looking to get another new laptop, but I don't want to disable ACPI or anything else. I just want everything to work as it was designed. I really like the Dell XPS 15z, particularly it's 8 hour battery life (I know, with working hybrid graphics). But, there seems to be some issues with the ACPI on this machine as well, and the hybrid graphics obviously have no official Linux support.  Very much disappointing to say the least.

I was looking at System76, but they only have a 2 hour battery life, which is dismal in my opinion.

So, my question is this. Does anyone know of a new laptop that has excellent Linux support, good hardware, and decent battery life? I know, that's asking a lot, but it's what I'm looking for. My price limit is about $1200 USD as of now.

Thanks.

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#2 2011-10-04 21:32:48

the sad clown
Member
From: 192.168.0.X
Registered: 2011-03-20
Posts: 837

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

I don't have any specific suggestions, but things that generally work well are Intel (I use powertop, and it just works better with Intel for obvious reasons), Synaptic touchpad, and probably NVIDIA.


I laugh, yet the joke is on me

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#3 2011-10-04 21:43:01

Haptic
Member
Registered: 2009-09-03
Posts: 149

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Thinkpads? I own the new T420 and I run Arch on it with almost no problems.

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#4 2011-10-04 22:02:53

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

the sad clown wrote:

I don't have any specific suggestions, but things that generally work well are Intel (I use powertop, and it just works better with Intel for obvious reasons), Synaptic touchpad, and probably NVIDIA.

I've always been an AMD fan. My laptops now is AMD, as I mentioned. I don't mind Intel, I've just always found AMD to be the better value, and when Intel is licensing the x64 instruction set, why not go to the source?

Haptic wrote:

Thinkpads? I own the new T420 and I run Arch on it with almost no problems.

I haven't heard many good things about them since IBM sold them off or contracted them out. I've always been really fond of the Dell screens, which are super bright, and were higher resolution until recently. I guess I'll give them a look and see what I come up with.

The specs I've been playing with are 8GB ram, and a 500GB HDD possibly the new hybrid (momentus). I'd also like a higher res screen, such as 1080 or more on a 15".

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#5 2011-10-04 22:44:51

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

After a nice chat with a Lenovo sales rep, it's looking like the T520 is to my liking. I just can't believe they want $240 more for 8GB of ram when I can get the same RAM on Newegg for $45. I'm going to poke around some more and make sure this is what I want, but it's looking like a solid choice.

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#6 2011-10-04 22:59:09

the sad clown
Member
From: 192.168.0.X
Registered: 2011-03-20
Posts: 837

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Locosway wrote:

I've always been an AMD fan. My laptops now is AMD, as I mentioned. I don't mind Intel, I've just always found AMD to be the better value, and when Intel is licensing the x64 instruction set, why not go to the source?

Only problem with AMD is that Intel is clearly owns them in the higher end processors.  AMD simply doesn't have anything comparable to a second gen i7.  And as I mentioned before, Intel has better linux tool set for power management, something important for laptops.  Now, if you are just looking for a middling to low end processor, then yes, AMD is the way to go.  But your price limit of $1200 would seem to speak against that.


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#7 2011-10-04 23:00:40

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

the sad clown wrote:
Locosway wrote:

I've always been an AMD fan. My laptops now is AMD, as I mentioned. I don't mind Intel, I've just always found AMD to be the better value, and when Intel is licensing the x64 instruction set, why not go to the source?

Only problem with AMD is that Intel is clearly owns them in the higher end processors.  AMD simply doesn't have anything comparable to a second gen i7.  And as I mentioned before, Intel has better linux tool set for power management, something important for laptops.  Now, if you are just looking for a middling to low end processor, then yes, AMD is the way to go.  But your price limit of $1200 would seem to speak against that.

Yeah, and I understand that. Right now I'm trying to decide between the i3 and the i5, since I really don't think I need an i7.

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#8 2011-10-04 23:11:57

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

So here is what I'm looking at...

ThinkPad T520 - 1 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty
Intel Core i5-2430M Processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3, 1333MHz)1
No Preloaded Operating System12
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
Intel HD Graphics 3000
2 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable5
9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++60
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable65
4239 : 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

I added another 1 year onto the warranty because it was only $29, and my experience is laptops generally fail just after the first year.  smile  I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 8GB on my own, since Newegg has the RAM for $200 less.

Is there anything I got that I shouldn't, or something I missed?

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#9 2011-10-04 23:25:38

the sad clown
Member
From: 192.168.0.X
Registered: 2011-03-20
Posts: 837

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Have a look at this:

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

A i5-2540m outperforms a Phenom II P940.  I'd still go with Intel when their middle of the line processor is better than the top of the line AMD.

Edit: BTW, I'm not a fanboy.  I have AMD on two of my three computers.

Last edited by the sad clown (2011-10-04 23:28:20)


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#10 2011-10-04 23:31:53

the sad clown
Member
From: 192.168.0.X
Registered: 2011-03-20
Posts: 837

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Locosway wrote:

So here is what I'm looking at...

Bluetooth 3.0

...Is there anything I got that I shouldn't, or something I missed?

What bluetooth?  I'm currently not able to use mine (https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=126487) due to a bluez bug.

Last edited by the sad clown (2011-10-04 23:32:50)


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#11 2011-10-04 23:32:42

karol
Archivist
Registered: 2009-05-06
Posts: 25,440

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

I've read that at least some ThinkPad T520's come with Optimus i.e. Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated + some dedicated Nvidia card.

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#12 2011-10-04 23:35:12

Locosway
Member
From: Anaheim, CA, USA.
Registered: 2011-10-04
Posts: 12

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

the sad clown wrote:
Locosway wrote:

So here is what I'm looking at...

Bluetooth 3.0

...Is there anything I got that I shouldn't, or something I missed?

What bluetooth?  I'm currently not able to use mine (https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=126487) due to a bluez bug.

I'm not sure which one they include, but it's only $20 to add it, and I figure eventually I might use it or want to use it.

karol wrote:

I've read that at least some ThinkPad T520's come with Optimus i.e. Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated + some dedicated Nvidia card.

There's an option to add it, and it's $250, which I don't think I'll do because there's no guarantee it'll ever work correctly, and when it does I'll probably just buy another laptop.

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#13 2011-10-04 23:38:44

karol
Archivist
Registered: 2009-05-06
Posts: 25,440

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Locosway wrote:
karol wrote:

I've read that at least some ThinkPad T520's come with Optimus i.e. Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated + some dedicated Nvidia card.

There's an option to add it, and it's $250, which I don't think I'll do because there's no guarantee it'll ever work correctly, and when it does I'll probably just buy another laptop.

You're right about sticking to what works. The prices of those options are rather funny - first the RAM, now the graphics card ... :-)
What's the total price of the setup you listed?

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#14 2011-10-05 00:07:21

the sad clown
Member
From: 192.168.0.X
Registered: 2011-03-20
Posts: 837

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

Here is the bluetooth device:

Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0a5c:217f Broadcom Corp. Bluetooth Controller

It will probably work fine if these guys are selling it: http://www.emperorlinux.com/mfgr/lenovo/toucan/


I laugh, yet the joke is on me

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#15 2011-10-05 02:04:22

steve___
Member
Registered: 2008-02-24
Posts: 452

Re: New laptops that support Arch/Linux

I really like the x220 with an ultrabase.  Be sure to ask the rep to apply any discount coupons.  If you don't need all that hdd space then I suggest an ssd.

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