Arch Linux

karag

Member

Registered: 2006-09-05

Posts: 84

laptop recommendation please

I know there is many threads about this, but I am getting confused about what is good deal vs. what will work nicely with arch linux!
Here are my requirements:
1. can't spend more than £500 (740euro or 980us$)
2. I need tv-out to watch movies (I only did with this with nvidia before)
3. hard disc at least 80gb
4. 1gb ram ideally, min of 512mb
5. dvd writer
6. my wife wants it to be pink, but I'm not worried about this one

I can find laptop with this specs but have no clue what laptop specs work good with linux or not... if someone can make a recommendation I will be very grateful!
thankyou.

edit: I am based in UK right now

Last edited by karag (2007-03-28 16:40:06)

Adams

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2007-02-12

Posts: 14

Re: laptop recommendation please

Main problems are with:
WiFi - That depends on chipset used. Personaly I don't have any problems at all(bcm4xx driver).
Video card - Dunno about intel-based cards. Generaly there are some problems with Ati drivers. Nvidia drivers work well.

I have an Asus A6M-Q035. It has almost everything you mentioned above. (only 512 ram and it isn't pink ). Although I haven't tested tv-out yet. Ah! The included bison webcam doesn't work (yet.. drivers are under development)

Here are the specs:
   AMD Sempron 3400+ (64 bit),256KB L2 Cache, 25W
   512MB DDR
   DVD +-RW
   80 GB 5400
   nVidia GeForce Go 6100 TurboCache
   Intel High Definition Audio
   WIFI
   S-VIDEO
+ other standard equipment

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cactus

Taco Eater

From: t͈̫̹ͨa͖͕͎̱͈ͨ͆ć̥̖̝o̫̫̼s͈̭̱̞͍̃!̰

Registered: 2004-05-25

Posts: 4,622

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Re: laptop recommendation please

Temporary post hijack in progress...

I just (yesterday) got my new thinkpad t60.
yay!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread..

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Stalwart

Member

From: Latvia, Riga

Registered: 2005-10-18

Posts: 445

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

Not Hp!!

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stb

Member

Registered: 2007-03-13

Posts: 40

Re: laptop recommendation please

I would recommend an older thinkpad model. Like T4*p with Multi-Burner.

grizz

Member

Registered: 2007-03-14

Posts: 49

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

IBM thinkpad... it's working perfectly under linux (I've tested x24@Arch and r40@gentoo)

Last edited by grizz (2007-03-29 06:22:28)

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zergu

Member

From: Poland

Registered: 2005-10-10

Posts: 28

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

Watch out for card reader from Texas Instruments — a lot of problems to get it running (I temporarly gave up). Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG works fine in my Compaq Presario M2000, but AFAIK it can't be turned into access point mode.

iphitus

Forum Fellow

From: Melbourne, Australia

Registered: 2004-10-09

Posts: 4,927

Re: laptop recommendation please

IBM's are good.

If wireless is important, get a laptop with an intel chipset. All three intel chipsets now have proper drivers, and the third will soon be merged to the kernel too.

As for graphics, NVIDIA should work. I'm somewhat sure that intel would too, if they have tv out... as their driver support is generally quite good.

James

zeus

Member

From: Korolev / Russia

Registered: 2006-09-19

Posts: 117

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

Dell Inspiron 6400
Ideally work with linux.
powerd by Core2Duo
max mem 2GB
tv out/wifi/bt/....

dolby

Member

From: 1992

Registered: 2006-08-08

Posts: 1,581

Re: laptop recommendation please

lenovo thinkpad's seem quite pricey for no obvious reason to me

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stb

Member

Registered: 2007-03-13

Posts: 40

Re: laptop recommendation please

lenovo thinkpad's seem quite pricey for no obvious reason to me

Lenovo does not only sell the same laptops as IBM but also do sell them for the same prices as IBM did. But they are not much more or less pricey than other known manufacturers, like Apple or HP. At least they are well-supported. Ideal for an OS like linux.

PS: Did I mention the diamonds in the surface of the cover?

Last edited by stb (2007-03-29 15:55:00)

shen

Member

Registered: 2003-09-05

Posts: 272

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

I have a Toshiba M105 Satellite and so far works very well with Arch. Intel video and wifi chips are well supported so any intel based hardware should work just fine.

karag

Member

Registered: 2006-09-05

Posts: 84

Re: laptop recommendation please

wow - thanks for all your advice, guys.
I know that thinkpads have good reputation with linux, but they do seem to be at more expensive end (well, for me!)
I found that dell inspiron 6400, I can get 1mb ram, 120gb hard disc, nvidia geforce 7300, + dvd burner, intel chipset for wireless stuff - also free printer!
the price is £529 inc tax and shipping which seems a pretty good deal to me.:D

Lontronics

Member

Registered: 2006-08-28

Posts: 121

Re: laptop recommendation please

One advice for the Dell;

I also have bought a Dell some time ago, the Inspiron 9400.
It is a nice laptop and working nicely together with Linux.

About the printer; I have received a free printer also >>> Please forget the printer

I have read a lot of posts of people who called Dell and got a better deal with a special discount and without printer.
But this is only possible when you call them....

Last edited by Lontronics (2007-03-29 20:15:24)

karag

Member

Registered: 2006-09-05

Posts: 84

Re: laptop recommendation please

well, I got frustrated with dell's deliberately misleading website and awful customer service (I rang them to clarify some things...) - and eventually got seduced by the white curves of the sony vaio n21
it was a little over my budget, but I saw a demo model and the screen looks great. not 100% sure it'll be nice to arch linux, but we'll see...

QuimaxW

Member

From: Papua New Guinea

Registered: 2006-12-03

Posts: 228

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

Sony's are nice.  I myself am writing this on my Vaio VGN-FS742.  Ironically, it's better supported with Linux than it is with Vista. (ug)

Almost everything just kinda works.  I really should try putting together some sort of wiki thing, but I havn't.

CPU scaling with cpufrequtils (documented in the arch wiki)
ipw2200 for the wireless (on mine at least)
The function keys do work!  Search the forum for FSFN keys, someone did a good write up in one of the threads of how to install on arch.  Some Sony's (like mine) use this "FS" series driver, some don't, you'll just have to try and see what works.

I do have to agree, the Sony screen's are really nice...   Enjoy your Sony!

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harlekin

Member

From: Germany

Registered: 2006-07-13

Posts: 408

Re: laptop recommendation please

I fell in love with zepto.

My Znote 6314W works well with linux. Everything I want to work works. Most things out of the box. But I haven't tried out everything yet. There still some keys I don't use (and which don't work) and I think I'll never use the 3 in 1 card reader.

My conclusion:
Good hardware. Good design. Good prices.

Last edited by harlekin (2007-05-03 10:53:52)

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davin

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2007-05-01

Posts: 25

Website

Re: laptop recommendation please

go for acer laptop it is cheap and gives good values for money

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