Arch Linux

Elvish Legion

Member

Registered: 2007-12-29

Posts: 53

Buying a new machine

Well I'm looking into a new machine and I'm just wanting some input on linux friendly machines

I'm looking at a couple of differnt brands, either Dell, HP, and Lenovo (IBM)

I'm looking at Dell's XPS M1530, Lenovos Thinkpad T series, and HP's dv series (the 9700 in general)

Anyone have experince with these guys? I'm really likeing the dell and the IBM the dell has the better nvidia card and is a bit cheaper, but IBM (lenovo) has always seemed to be linux friendly.

Any advice?

rson451

Member

From: Annapolis, MD USA

Registered: 2007-04-15

Posts: 1,233

Website

Re: Buying a new machine

i've got a dv9000, i was able to get every thing working on it that i tested at one point.  the only thing i did not test was the microphone.  sd card reader, webcam, audio, nvidia graphics, remote control, everything worked.  i never use the webcam though so i highly doubt it works at this point (i think ive reinstalled since then).  card reader worked out of the box, just have to mount the card once you insert it.

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archlinux - please read this and this — twice — then ask questions.
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japetto

Member

From: Chicago, IL US

Registered: 2006-07-02

Posts: 183

Re: Buying a new machine

The Dell systems are pretty nice.  We use them exclusively at work and we have plenty of Precision models running Linux.  Dell systems have extendable warranties and good hardware support.  I am thinking of a new system myself so I am curious what you will end up getting.  You can check out the Dell linux models @ dell.com/linux

Bob-Hur

Member

Registered: 2007-12-09

Posts: 43

Re: Buying a new machine

I bought a Lenovo J110 desktop a while back and I've been very pleased with it. It's handled Ubuntu, Slackware, openSUSE x64, Phlak, Knoppix and of course Arch (32 & 64bit) with no problems or special considerations at all. It's very solidly and neatly built; I'd buy another one. If you don't need a bleeding-edge machine you can find some very good prices out there on "brand new but not latest model" machines. Watch the specs carefully, Lenovo puts the "Series 3000 J110" label on a lot of internally different boxes.

Elvish Legion

Member

Registered: 2007-12-29

Posts: 53

Re: Buying a new machine

I'm really liking the dell, its a little cheaper than the lenovo, and its a dell....but the lenovo is a thinkpad and those rock

Elvish Legion

Member

Registered: 2007-12-29

Posts: 53

Re: Buying a new machine

I'm going to go with the lenovo, the dell has the better graphics nad is a bit cheaper, but lenovosare just so rock solid

barebones

Member

Registered: 2006-04-30

Posts: 235

Re: Buying a new machine

I recently bought a dell vostro and I'm very satisfied with it. Everything worked right away (with the exception of some silly sound card issues) and I paid an excellent price for it. Even stuff like the sd card reader worked out of the box with out any tinkering.

tam1138

Member

Registered: 2007-09-10

Posts: 238

Re: Buying a new machine

I've run all kinds of Linux on my IBM (not Lenovo) ThinkPad T42, most recently Arch, and do not regret choosing it in the least.  Its build quality is fantastic, and support has been great.  I highly recommend getting the extended warranty on whatever laptop you buy.  (I realize you've already decided; I'm mostly speaking to everybody considering a laptop purchase.)

Bob-Hur

Member

Registered: 2007-12-09

Posts: 43

Re: Buying a new machine

I'm going to go with the lenovo, the dell has the better graphics nad is a bit cheaper, but lenovos are just so rock solid

You might have more than the obvious reasons to be happy with your choice:

http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=479192

Please don't think that I'm anti-Dell, I'm not - I've used their computers a lot and have been satisfied with them. Just thought you should know about the above situation.

Whatever you end up buying, I hope you enjoy it!

bionnaki

Member

Registered: 2006-09-05

Posts: 289

Re: Buying a new machine

be sure to find out what chipset whatever laptop you are looking has. find one that uses atheros...those have the best support, usually. or just disable internal wireless and pop in a card like the Netgear WG511T.