Need advice Linux laptops

[niniendowarrior]

Update. It's done. I've plucked down and ordered it. Bit the bullet and yeah, it comes with Vista. Question is, what to do with it.

[niniendowarrior]

My Pavilion dv9235 is COMPLETELY Linux friendly- everything came up except the 3D from the NVidia chip (Duh...) and this is a similar parts layup. The only gotchas I could see is if you need XP. Most of the machines now have been deliberately made impossible or next to it to "downgrade" to XP (and I need a dual boot for verification of function of cross-platform apps I write for people on contract- I need XP...) and if you don't have compatibility mode on the SATA chain, you won't be doing XP at all. There might be a few other gotchas, but unlikely.

If you're leery, you should check into the HP lineup options. They're pretty much a go if you've got no ATI or Broadcom parts in the mix.

I remember my Linux friends telling me to avoid HP/Compaq like the plague. Crappy hardware. I don't plan to have any sort of Windows in this machine. It's one thing I don't really care at all. 100% Linux. I am just taken somewhat aback at the price tag, but most important is that this machine shouldn't make me have to hack anything to get basic stuff to work.

and... I hope it's got some real power.

Mine never booted under Vista when it was in my possession- I popped open the DVD drive with a paperclip, popped in Ubuntu Feisty, and proceeded to nuke and pave the whole machine. XP was a slow lurching horror to install. Ubuntu was amazing. It was like the laptop was designed for it. (Even though we KNOW better... )

So, I suppose this Acer lappie is going to be the choice then.

[Svartalf]

Do you think it's going to be Linux friendly? But I feel like I'll succumb to this... and my bank account will bleed red.

My Pavilion dv9235 is COMPLETELY Linux friendly- everything came up except the 3D from the NVidia chip (Duh...) and this is a similar parts layup. The only gotchas I could see is if you need XP. Most of the machines now have been deliberately made impossible or next to it to "downgrade" to XP (and I need a dual boot for verification of function of cross-platform apps I write for people on contract- I need XP...) and if you don't have compatibility mode on the SATA chain, you won't be doing XP at all. There might be a few other gotchas, but unlikely.

If you're leery, you should check into the HP lineup options. They're pretty much a go if you've got no ATI or Broadcom parts in the mix.

Aha... even if I am forced to buy it, I won't use it, just like Dave M.

Mine never booted under Vista when it was in my possession- I popped open the DVD drive with a paperclip, popped in Ubuntu Feisty, and proceeded to nuke and pave the whole machine. XP was a slow lurching horror to install. Ubuntu was amazing. It was like the laptop was designed for it. (Even though we KNOW better... )

[niniendowarrior]

There's four words for those of us whom have had the misfortune of dealing with it...

It...
Is...
A...
Turd...



And you PAID for it, whether you wanted it or not. THAT is the problem.

Bingo. Why buy it when you don't intend to use it? If can save a couple of hundreds from it, the better!

[niniendowarrior]

That's very similar in nature to my HP Pavilion- in fact it's close enough to it except for the GPU (Mine's a 7600...) that I'd say it's a pretty good deal overall. It'd be a dead winner if you could get it without Fis...er..Vista.

Do you think it's going to be Linux friendly? But I feel like I'll succumb to this... and my bank account will bleed red.

Best of luck on THAT particular detail. >:-)

Aha... even if I am forced to buy it, I won't use it, just like Dave M.

[Svartalf]

What's the big deal with Vista? Either dual boot or format the drive. Right?

There's four words for those of us whom have had the misfortune of dealing with it...

It...
Is...
A...
Turd...



And you PAID for it, whether you wanted it or not. THAT is the problem.

[Panix]

Hey, I am looking for a laptop, too. I'm not going for something in the OP's price range but for that kind of money, I suggest to consider the Dell Vostro 1400 like the other poster provided. Also, consider the HP dv6000 series (or dv2000 series if you want the smaller 14" screen) as some have the dedicated Nvidia 8400 GS chip.

Btw, could anyone who knows give info on how this chip does in Linux? Is it an easy install? Does the Linux drivers for the 8400M GS work well?

I am considering an HP dv6000 series with that video chip. The wireless is Intel 3945 or 4965 (I forget) but both are supported in Linux AFAIK.

To the OP: beware of the Acers. I've been given mixed reports on them. Some insist they are of low quality and you get what you pay for. There are claims of many returns for repair. Other people claim they are not tier one laptops but do the job. I think for your budget, you can consider the HPs and Dells over the Acers. I think Acers are for the low budget-minded (such as myself :-( ).

The HP I found is not much more than the Acers and few Acers have the Nvidia chip unless you want to pay big bucks or find certain vendors. Btw, I want a laptop with an Intel cpu (preferably core 2 duo).

What's the big deal with Vista? Either dual boot or format the drive. Right?

[Svartalf]

Update.

Prowling through the ACER line up. I think this is my only option on Acer... what do you guys think?

Acer Aspire 5920G

http://www.acer.com.ph/notebook.php?pkey=76

That's very similar in nature to my HP Pavilion- in fact it's close enough to it except for the GPU (Mine's a 7600...) that I'd say it's a pretty good deal overall. It'd be a dead winner if you could get it without Fis...er..Vista.

I'll try to talk them into dropping Vista. hehehe.

Best of luck on THAT particular detail. >:-)

[niniendowarrior]

Update.

Prowling through the ACER line up. I think this is my only option on Acer... what do you guys think?

Acer Aspire 5920G

http://www.acer.com.ph/notebook.php?pkey=76

I'll try to talk them into dropping Vista. hehehe.

[niniendowarrior]

Just talked to my friend supplier and it seems like Acer and Compaq are my choices. Not a lot then. Now I think I need help more than ever.