Arch Linux

matthewbauer

Member

From: /usa/ks

Registered: 2009-07-20

Posts: 86

Linux on a Laptop

Since my laptop's broken, I'm thinking of getting another one. But I want to get it either with no operating system or another linux distro so I don't have to pay the Window's tax (I'm assuming Arch doesn't come bundled with any laptops).

What I'm trying to avoid is getting a cheap netbook, I want something that will last at least 2 years.

I want to make sure that it has Open Source drivers that work out of the box on Arch Linux, I've been really tired of using Ndiswrapper on my old laptop.

So far I've found some Dell linux laptops: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segt … l=en&cs=19
but I'm afraid they use the non open source Dell drivers.

Any suggestions?

Last edited by matthewbauer (2009-08-07 22:42:48)

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Libertarian Arch Linux User

djszapi

Member

From: Cambridge, United Kingdom

Registered: 2009-06-14

Posts: 1,439

Website

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Hello matthewbauer!

I think It's nor arch related question, but general linux question about device handling.

I think so most of the notebooks are supported. I've worked with dell a lot, and worked for me.

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Ghost1227

Forum Fellow

From: Omaha, NE, USA

Registered: 2008-04-21

Posts: 1,422

Website

Re: Linux on a Laptop

I recently installed Arch on a Dell XPS-M1530 for a friend of mine and everything worked with opensource drivers... can't promise for other Dell models though pick a laptop and do some research!

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doorknob60

Member

Registered: 2008-09-29

Posts: 403

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Maybe try System76: http://system76.com/index.php?cPath=28

I think they use open source drivers for everything, except the ones with Nvidia cards that probably use the closed source Nvidia drivers (not a problem on Arch obviously). I've heard a lot of good things about System76, and they even sent me free Ubuntu stickers

EDIT: Looks like they use "Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100" for wireless, at least on the one that I checked. Here's more info: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Wir … 000-series The firmware it talks about I belive is available on the Install CD as long as you tell it to install, or of course with pacman (duh).

Look at the "Windows" button

Last edited by doorknob60 (2009-08-08 01:06:47)

Caedmon

Member

Registered: 2009-08-08

Posts: 18

Re: Linux on a Laptop

I'm typing on an HP 6730b atm. Everything is working for me, out of the box, with no actual effort from me.
Here's a great list of different laptops and how they do. I suggest checking it out if you havent already.

Square

Member

Registered: 2008-06-11

Posts: 435

Re: Linux on a Laptop

My Dell inspiron 15n (1545 with Ubuntu) had nothing but open source drivers (and with only a few upgrades is still an amazing deal). The only issue I was nervous about was wireless, but it turns out they use broadcom-wl

I'd recommend bumping up the processor and screen if you get it.

Last edited by Square (2009-08-08 01:21:54)

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OneEyedPimp

Member

Registered: 2008-05-02

Posts: 103

Re: Linux on a Laptop

I have worked with several dells, and the biggest deal is that they use broadcom, alot. Only thing you have to worry about. I personally use a Studio 15 and it uses the broadcom-wl beautifully.

matthewbauer

Member

From: /usa/ks

Registered: 2009-07-20

Posts: 86

Re: Linux on a Laptop

@djszapi: Sorry about the wrong forum

System76 looks good for the most part except it comes with 64-bit Ubuntu (I don't quite understand the differences between 32 and 64 yet) and from what I understand 64-bit is less supported than 32-bit. Do you have any problems with 64-bit doorknob60?

Last edited by matthewbauer (2009-08-08 04:43:38)

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Libertarian Arch Linux User

Arisna

Member

Registered: 2009-02-13

Posts: 81

Re: Linux on a Laptop

ThinkPad laptops are high-end and will run most open source operating systems well.  My T60p is a little over two years old and going strong.  I've had to replace two hardware components (fan and battery), but at least the manufacturer makes it easy to obtain and replace parts yourself.

My laptop has seen Windows, Ubuntu, Arch, and every major flavor of BSD.  Things have consistently worked well, especially on Linux, except for the ATi graphics card (solved by radeonhd) and power management (works only in Windows and Linux).

methuselah

Member

Registered: 2007-10-02

Posts: 570

Re: Linux on a Laptop

@djszapi: Sorry about the wrong forum

System76 looks good for the most part except it comes with 64-bit Ubuntu (I don't quite understand the differences between 32 and 64 yet) and from what I understand 64-bit is less supported than 32-bit. Do you have any problems with 64-bit doorknob60?

I've had no problems with Arch "x86_64".

Adobe has an official 64bit Flashplugin for Linux, Java has official JRE and JDK 64bit plugins..... things like skype and google earth have workarounds using lib32's if you need those apps. 'Most' every package out there has a 64bit version, and for the few that don't there is usually some sort of workaround to get it working in the AUR.

UQ-igor

Member

Registered: 2009-03-05

Posts: 42

Re: Linux on a Laptop

I'm using a thinkpad T60p for almost three years. I had gentoo, slackware, ubuntu and now arch on it and they all worked fine. The only problem is getting dual screen to work, but hopefully the radeonhd driver should have fixed that now (I havent tried dual screens in a while). The laptop never dies; I dropped it once, carry it in my backpack with books all the time and it even survived a car accident. Really good quality, but perhaps a bit pricier than Dell.

-Igor

.:B:.

Forum Fellow

Registered: 2006-11-26

Posts: 5,819

Website

Re: Linux on a Laptop

HP has parts of their business line that are SuSE Linux certified. I have bought one of those (HP 6510b) and it worked flawlessly. Caedmon's model is probably a business model too.

Hello matthewbauer!

I think It's nor arch related question, but general linux question about device handling.

If you feel a topic belongs in another forum, use the report button... That's what the mods are for .

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jelly

Administrator

From: /dev/null

Registered: 2008-06-10

Posts: 714

Re: Linux on a Laptop

i have a laptop like , B says , HP8510W nice one . But just look into the arch wiki about laptops and linuxonlaptops site.

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casperh

Member

From: Aarhus, Denmark

Registered: 2009-02-13

Posts: 48

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Lenovo's laptops are pretty good when it comes to GNU/Linux. My Lenovo N200 3000 works perfect with Arch Linux (and all the other distros I've tried)

doorknob60

Member

Registered: 2008-09-29

Posts: 403

Re: Linux on a Laptop

@djszapi: Sorry about the wrong forum

System76 looks good for the most part except it comes with 64-bit Ubuntu (I don't quite understand the differences between 32 and 64 yet) and from what I understand 64-bit is less supported than 32-bit. Do you have any problems with 64-bit doorknob60?

Nope. All my hardware works great, things go faster, and I can still very easily run 32 bit apps like wine and skype without problems. If you have a 64-bit capable processor, I'd recommend using 64-bit Linux (although you could install 32-bit if you wanted). Also Flash and Java work natively in 64-bit Firefox without any problems (aside from the ones that also affect 32-bit like Flash being slow sometimes).

ngoonee

Forum Fellow

From: Between Thailand and Singapore

Registered: 2009-03-17

Posts: 7,355

Re: Linux on a Laptop

My Asus works just fine. I think besides the usual complaints about ATI and Broadcom, any laptop you get should be reasonably supported.

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Allan-Volunteer on the (topic being discussed) mailn lists. You never get the people who matters attention on the forums.
jasonwryan-Installing Arch is a measure of your literacy. Maintaining Arch is a measure of your diligence. Contributing to Arch is a measure of your competence.
Griemak-Bleeding edge, not bleeding flat. Edge denotes falls will occur from time to time. Bring your own parachute.

Jeff91

Member

Registered: 2009-08-08

Posts: 5

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Good source for Linux on Laptops - http://www.linlap.com/

~Jeff

dezza

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2007-04-05

Posts: 126

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad always last years, all others don't (mostly) ..

http://delicious.com/dezzadk/linux+compatible this is my sources for linux compatible hardware ..

Look at the "Windows" button

It broke my heart, I was hoping to see a penguin there .. I hate Ubuntu ..

andreamer

Member

Registered: 2009-08-11

Posts: 41

Re: Linux on a Laptop

Don't know about specific laptops, but try searching the ones that come with FreeDOS, they are cheaper because they dont have windows. I also know that Dell sells laptops with ubuntu but only a little fraction of all the laptop options.