Laptop Recommendations for a Future Engineering Student Using Arch

Jessehk · 2008-07-15 18:25:54

First: I don't know if I am posting this in the right place, so I apologize in advance if it doesn't belong here.

In September, I'm going to be starting an Electrical Engineering program at University and since I'll be in residence, I'm going to buy a laptop.
Since there seems to be such a diverse, professional crowd here on the forums, I thought this would be a great place to ask.
I'm a loyal Archer, so good Linux support is a must but I will almost certainly be dual-booting because the dominant platform at the school (UW in Ontario) is Windows AFAIK.

The things I'm looking for are durability, quality, silence (my current desktop is LOUD and it's intolerable), and maybe satisfactory graphics (for Starcraft 2 ).
I've heard a lot about the Thinkpad (which Lenovo now owns) but I don't know if I want to shell out the money.

Price range? Ideally under $1500 CAD
Any suggested models would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

Last edited by Jessehk (2008-07-15 18:26:23)

dhave · 2008-07-15 19:01:53

The Lenovo website has been having good sales on Thinkpads (15-35 percent off) for several months. You can get an especially good deal if you combine the sale discount with a web coupon. I got mine for 40 percent off.

Also, it's worth checking the Lenovo outlet on the same website. You can often find good deals there. AFAIK, the same or similar deals are available in Canada. Although i bought my latest Thinkpad from the U.S. website, I actually dealt with a sales agent in Canada. He treated me very well.

Obviously, I like Thinkpads, and I think they can't be beat for Linux compatibilty as well as the various criteria you mentioned.

Last edited by dhave (2008-07-15 19:03:18)

kclive18 · 2008-07-15 19:11:29

Hmmm, thinkpads...I've seen a lot of threads around here about those having issues on Arch.

I'd rather go for an Acer or Asus. But whatever you do, avoid HP, Dell, Sony, and a lot of the other popular manufacturers.

staple · 2008-07-15 19:59:41

just look at the hardware in the laptop

you want:

intel wifi
intel/nvidia graphics
uvc compatible webcam
synaptics touchpad

slackhack · 2008-07-15 21:20:33

I have a pre-lenovo thinkpad, an R40 from right before lenovo bought them -- no issues here. I would get a lenovo without hesitation. Toshiba makes nice notebooks, too.

dhave · 2008-07-15 21:31:19

I've run Arch without any problems on four different Thinkpads -- a T21 (IBM), a T43 (IBM), another T43 (Lenovo), and now a T61p (Lenovo). The machines had Intel (T21), ATI (T43s) and nVidia (T61p) graphics. All have run Arch perfectly.

lukrop · 2008-07-15 22:29:27

I'm running Arch on the ASUS EeePC 900!

really love it... but durability is somekinda problem. With several powersaving techniques such as cpufreqd I only get 2.5h out of the crappy 4400mAh battery. Maybe you should wait for the 901 if possible or buy something else

tofu · 2008-07-16 01:06:23

Ok. I have a Thinkpad T61 with nvidia nvs 140M and atheros b/g card. It does run linux but I have some issues with it.

I still don't know why but its randomly kernel panics. Ubuntu kernel panics also. Windows seems to be the most stable.

Don't know why but just to say. I still get 1-2 kernel panics a day if I'm lucky - but maybe your experience may differ.

But I love that red dot in the middle. Its awesome.

Allan · 2008-07-16 01:40:47

kclive18 wrote:

But whatever you do, avoid HP, Dell, Sony, and a lot of the other popular manufacturers.

All my laptops are Dell, mainly because work only buys from them and I get personal ones at about 40% off with salary packaging. I have had only minor problems (keyboard needed replaced, a memory slot broke in one after three years of use).

I would still say go for a Thinkpad if you can but if not the other manufactures are not necessarily bad. Just don't buy the really, really cheap models. I just pack them full of Intel hardware to ensure compatibility.

Megamixman · 2008-07-16 01:45:04

Thinkpad, make sure you get the 3 year depot warranty since it is well worth it. CAD programs have good gesture support, which lends well to a Tablet PC. Also Engineering programs tend to start off with a lot of Physics/Math, in which my Tablet PC has been a godsend in taking notes for. Being able to have it all there, plus searchable is a very nice feature of OneNote.

SiB · 2008-07-16 02:36:49

I highly suggest Asus laptops. They are quite nice . Im also an engineering student (Computer engineering at Polytechnique of Montreal), I have an Asus G1S dual-booting Arch and Windows without a hitch!

iphitus · 2008-07-16 09:47:52

I'm doing Aerospace Engineering, i'm still using my 4.5 year old 12.1" Acer laptop.

Guess for me the most important thing with a laptop has been portability/small size/low weight. That's why I self refurbished my current old laptop instead of buying a new one.

This one still does it's job great. It's small, damned durable (partial aluminium case ftw) and powerful enough for most tasks.

You'll find that almost any intel based laptop out there should work a treat. Just find something you like in your price range.

James

Last edited by iphitus (2008-07-16 09:48:24)

dhave · 2008-07-16 09:54:58

tofu wrote:

Ok. I have a Thinkpad T61 with nvidia nvs 140M and atheros b/g card. It does run linux but I have some issues with it.
I still don't know why but its randomly kernel panics. Ubuntu kernel panics also. Windows seems to be the most stable.
Don't know why but just to say. I still get 1-2 kernel panics a day if I'm lucky - but maybe your experience may differ.
But I love that red dot in the middle. Its awesome.

@ tofu: Have you worked with people on this forum to try to resolve the problem? I don't believe I've had a single kernel panic on my T61p. You shouldn't have to live like that.

Dheart · 2008-07-16 10:09:45

dhave wrote:

tofu wrote:
Ok. I have a Thinkpad T61 with nvidia nvs 140M and atheros b/g card. It does run linux but I have some issues with it.
I still don't know why but its randomly kernel panics. Ubuntu kernel panics also. Windows seems to be the most stable.
Don't know why but just to say. I still get 1-2 kernel panics a day if I'm lucky - but maybe your experience may differ.
But I love that red dot in the middle. Its awesome.
@ tofu: Have you worked with people on this forum to try to resolve the problem? I don't believe I've had a single kernel panic on my T61p. You shouldn't have to live like that.

On my old PC (note not notebook, but a desktop PC) I used to run in random kernel panics, and Windows also locked up sometimes...
Turned out to be a bad sector in the hdd that occured when a blackout came while booting. I suppose you could have a bad sector or something's wrong with your hdd...

Barrucadu · 2008-07-16 10:29:23

I am a fan of Toshiba laptops. I've had very few hardware problems, and they are nigh-invulnerable if you treat them right.

rebugger · 2008-07-16 10:52:20

Arch is working real good on my HP 6510b But you shouldnt choose Acer.... they have real bad quality & service.
I bought an additional battery for my laptop (c2duo 1,8ghz, 2gb ram, 120gb hdd) and can now run for ca. 9hours.
HP-Service is real quick (had a problem with my fan [was too loud - production problem]) - called HP, next day UPS fetched my notebook (they even packed it for me) - everyday i checked the status via web - 5 days later it was back Real cool service (well, its a business notebook - which has to say nothing)

dhave · 2008-07-16 10:59:35

Well, you're all gonna think I'm on the IBM-Lenovo payroll, but I'm not.

Here's my final plug for Thinkpads:

A couple of years ago I was traveling and working in Morocco when the screen on my T21 started looking all reddish. It was still functional, but it was ugly. I had a couple of hours, so I found the address of the IBM repair place in Casablanca and took a taxi there. The T21, which I'd bought in the U.K., was on year three of a three-year international warranty, but I didn't know if it would cover screen problems in Africa.

The tech said, "You need a new screen. We'll have to order one."

They got it the *next day* (overnighted from Paris), popped it in, and I was on my way. The whole business took 36 hours and didn't cost me a penny.

Another time when I was overseas I ordered a Thinkpad from the U.S. Rather than pay international shipping, I had it sent to a friend, who hand-carried it to me. When he gave it to me (he transported it in his carry-on luggage, not in the shipping box), the screen was cracked and unusable. Even though the warranty didn't cover this, Lenovo approved a local warranty repair at no charge. All I had to do was upgrade my warranty to include accidental damage (which I recommend anyway), which they were willing to apply retroactively. Now, they did this in part because I was able to prove that I was a long-time, loyal customer, and I tried not to act like a jerk when I talked to them on the phone. But, still, they were in no way obliged to treat me this well.

This is why I've bought three more Thinkpads since then. IBM-Lenovo has truly excellent worldwide warranty service and repair. IBM still handles this for Lenovo, by the way.

--==End of commercial message.==--

iphitus · 2008-07-16 12:02:34

rebugger wrote:

Arch is working real good on my HP 6510b But you shouldnt choose Acer.... they have real bad quality & service.
I bought an additional battery for my laptop (c2duo 1,8ghz, 2gb ram, 120gb hdd) and can now run for ca. 9hours.
HP-Service is real quick (had a problem with my fan [was too loud - production problem]) - called HP, next day UPS fetched my notebook (they even packed it for me) - everyday i checked the status via web - 5 days later it was back Real cool service (well, its a business notebook - which has to say nothing)

Acer can be hit and miss -- as can be some other manufacturers.

My Acer laptop's built brilliantly. The screen is encased in metal, not cheap plastic, and the body work is some seriously strong plastic not the cheap stuff used on many computers. This thing runs like a trooper, the only thing replaced has been the hdd, keyboard and one plastic panel, and that was all due to heavy use/wear and tear. Looks like new now. The battery will be replaced shortly... though it's 4.5 years old it still pushes out about 30-45 minutes.

My brother got an Acer laptop the year later. Piece of crap. It's had 3 motherboard replacements (and that's not including the motherboard replacements due to service staff incompetence), 3 hard drives, 2 screens, 2 cd drives. And guess what. It never moves. It sits on a desk, external keyboard, external mouse, external monitor. Out of sunlight, well ventilated, good user. And it still breaks down.

Jessehk · 2008-07-16 15:13:32

Thanks for all the responses!

I'm really conflicted at the moment and I have a few questions.
Since so many people suggested the thinkpad, I set up a T61 cart and saved it to my profile for possible purchase.

These are the specs on the T61:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
15.4 WXGA TFT Screen
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 DIMM)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (US/CAN/LA/AP) (The alternative is a card by Lenovo, but I'm safer with the Intel, right?)
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
1 year on-site warrranty

For about $1,450 CAD after tax (keep in mind there is 13% tax in Canada) and shipping. It's pricey.

The second choice I was looking at was an Asus: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? … omoid=1051
At $1050 before tax (which is less in B.C. where NCIX is located) and about $20 shipping it's cheaper and it has better components (what a video card!), more RAM, etc.
I'm hesitant because I'm not sure who makes the parts and therefore if it will work with Arch and also about the general build quality and reliability of the manufacturer.

Although it's about $300 more, I have to say I'm leaning towards the T61. There seems to be an emphasis on the Thinkpad's cooling system, fan noise, and general build quality but in some ways I'm paying more for less.

Any tips?

Last edited by Jessehk (2008-07-16 15:15:38)

dhave · 2008-07-16 15:40:39

Jessehk wrote:

Thanks for all the responses!

Hey, I'm always looking for new converts.

Although it's about $300 more, I have to say I'm leaning towards the T61. There seems to be an emphasis on the Thinkpad's cooling system, fan noise, and general build quality but in some ways I'm paying more for less.
Any tips?

My T61p runs cool (especially compared with the T43) and quiet (nice little whisper fan, sort of soothing, actually), and is solid as a rock -- no flex in the screen, and no creaky plastic noises when I pick it up, unlike my brother's top-of-the-line Dell and my teenaged daughter's entry-level Compaq-HP. In fact, I think the build quality may actually have improved under Lenovo, at least comparing the T61p with my two T43s. (The IBM-era T21 is similarly solid, I should add.)

I really don't think you'll regret going with a Thinkpad. Some people have said they're the Volvos of the portable computing world, with which I concur -- not flashy, but solid, well-engineered, durable, classy and elegant. Every few weeks I run across some feature of my Thinkpad that makes me say, "Man, somebody gave that a bit of thought."

Did you scour the Net for coupons? Also, depending on your credit card, you can sometimes shave off another 5-7 percent by purchasing through the credit card's member portal. You might find some info here (which is probably VISA-USA, but might direct you).

Last edited by dhave (2008-07-16 16:00:50)

phrakture · 2008-07-16 15:50:02

Arch works fabulously on my Thinkpad. I also like the older HP laptops - one of the oldest computers I have that is still 100% functional is a 5 year old HP laptop.

iphitus · 2008-07-16 15:50:37

dhave wrote:

I really don't think you'll regret going with a Thinkpad. Some people have said they're the Volvos of the portable computing world, with which I concur -- not flashy, but solid, well-engineered, durable, classy and elegant. Every few weeks I run across some feature of my Thinkpad that makes me say, "Man, somebody gave that a bit of thought."

Though I reckon their design department is lacking some sets of french curves, compasses, rounded pencils, or anything that has a curve.

But they are pretty solid laptops, I still want one!

dhave · 2008-07-16 15:56:32

iphitus wrote:

Though I reckon their design department is lacking some sets of french curves, compasses, rounded pencils, or anything that has a curve.
But they are pretty solid laptops, I still want one!

We Thinkpad owners -- straight male ones, anyway -- look elsewhere for curves.

kclive18 · 2008-07-16 17:25:21

Very funny, dhave

Those thinkpads seem to be the most portable things around. I may get a used one on Ebay and throw arch on it so that I don't have to deal with this heavy, battery-draining HP zv6000 (although, I will admit, my current laptop is VERY well-constructed unlike the newer HPs).

Zeist · 2008-07-16 17:29:56

The only thing that bothers me about Thinkpads is that they only seem to allow for choosing between Quadro or X3100 cards... neither of which is that impressive. Thinkpads may be solid, but there are other laptops that could allow me to play games as well as do productivity things that cost about the same and won't fall to pieces even though they may not stand as much abuse as a Thinkpad may do.

That said, a Thinkpad does perform ok for productivity, runs cool and has excellent build quality.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-07-15 18:25:54

Laptop Recommendations for a Future Engineering Student Using Arch

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