[lug] Linux laptop/wireless recommendations

[Steve A Hart]

I have an acer travelmate 4070 at work and with Ubuntu7.1 everything 
(and I mean everything) worked the first time right from install.  I had 
ALOT of trouble getting wireless working when I had FC6 on here so 
Ubuntu was so much different.  I'd say that you can buy a laptop from 
anywhere but really look at the hardware that is installed.  Usually 
those places that make laptops specifically for Linux will charge more 
because they already did the legwork on finding and using hardware that 
is known to be compatible.  If you do that legwork (and it's not that 
hard to do) you can save alot of money.

I've seen Ubuntu work perfectly on multiple Acer travelmate models as 
well as on a panasonic toughbook laptop.  No matter which laptop you go 
with, I think Ubuntu has the best "right from install" support built 
right in.

battery life is a whole different issue.  I'm really not sure which 
laptop has the best life.  I have heard rumblings that Sony Vios have a 
horrible battery life but that was just hearsay.  The standard Li-ion 
battery that comes with the Acer Travelmates have a life of about 2 
hours with Ubuntu and all the power management (including screensaver) 
turned off.   With the power management on I think you could pull 3 or 
more hours out of it.

Just my humble opinion.

Steve

Steve Sullivan wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Do you have any recommendations for a reliable Linux laptop that
> does wireless and has a long battery time?  I've looked over the sites
> 
> http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/hp.html
> http://www.linlap.com/
> http://www.linux-laptop.net/
> 
> and find many many laptops listed that say "my distro installed
> easily ... but never got the wireless working".
> 
> Many thanks,
> 
> Steve
>