2007-08-14 17:24:35.494364+00 by Dan Lyke 8 comments
I need a Windows laptop. It should also run Linux. It needs to have decent 3d performance. Different set of priorities from the last time I bought a laptop. Any "must have"s or "avoid at all cost"s?
[ related topics: Free Software Microsoft Open Source Theater & Plays Graphics ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-14 18:27:09.982452+00 by: ebradway
I have a new HP and a Toshiba that's about a year old. The Toshiba connects to wireless networks more readily and has fewer issues reading DVDs. Further, the Toshiba was "the cheapest on the shelf at Office Depot". I highly recommend that route. Along those lines, Office Depot currently has a Toshiba with a Core2Duo CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 160GB hard drive for $849.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-14 19:39:53.10435+00 by: Dan Lyke
Hmmm... Alec, who's been pimping himself out via Geek Squad recently, has recommended the Toshibas as well. I think I want ATI video (better driver support), I'm still not sure what the optimal wireless chipset is. I think Charlene and I will go computer shopping this evening, just 'cause it's fun to go look at toys, and I may go for a smaller screen than that.
I'd like to get something with a mouse clit rather than a trackpad, but I'm not sure that those'll be available retail, and what I'm most likely looking for this time around is the floor display model or the open box special, rather than ordering the perfect device from Japan.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-14 21:34:02.42248+00 by: meuon
Get a good Linux supported WiFi and Bluetooth adapter. I have nothing good to say about Broadcom under linux except that it barely works. The Mad Wifi (Atheros?) chipset is great under both last time I used it.
I like my HP tx1000 (tx1120) except the sound card is flaky under Linux and the WiFi is marginal.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-15 15:49:42.69647+00 by: ebradway
I guess the ATI video is the clincher. I'm not sure what Toshiba provides in the way of discrete video. My Toshiba just uses the Intel chipset and my HP has an nVidia controller.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-15 16:20:02.014725+00 by: Dan Lyke
I ended up with Intel video and Intel wifi. Uses the proprietary drivers, but they work really nicely.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-17 05:30:47.516918+00 by: Shawn
I think I want ATI video (better driver support),
???. Did I miss a change somewhere? I thought it was well established that Linux drivers for ATI are horrible.
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-17 13:27:16.801698+00 by: Dan Lyke
I'm running the proprietary ATI video drivers on my desktop box, and it screams. I've had bad luck in the past with the nVidia drivers.
I ended up with the Intel chipset. It's not screaming, but it's not terribly slow either, and it's what I think of as a desktop replacement class laptop that seems to be getting over 4 hours of battery runtime. Just had to install the 915resolution hack (which is a standard Ubuntu drivers).
#Comment Re: made: 2007-08-17 15:50:30.127205+00 by: TheSHAD0W [edit history]