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What Subnotebooks Work Best w/ Linux?
elliotj asks: "With the widespread adoption of WIFI, I'm finding more and more places where I'd like to use the Internet on the road. All I really need is a linux command line to run SSH, links, and a few other things. What I'm looking for is a very lightweight subnotebook with a long battery life, quick sleep/wake times, that can run Linux and WIFI. I've looked at the Sony picturebook line and the Toshiba Librettos. Both are sweet machines, but have more features and are more expensive than I really need. Are there any cost effective options out there?"
i know the Zaurus isnt really a subnotebook, but it falls between the subnote book and the pda category. It already runs linux, is easy to develop for, and is easy to port existing linux applications to. If you know QT, its also easy to integrate existing apps with the GUI that comes preinstalled. Best of all, there are open source projects to replace the OS of the Zaurus with an open source version. Also, sharp's technical support is very good, and the staff very friendly, and they usually hang out on #zaurus on irc.freenet.net
I gots a friend who has a fujitsu lifebook. He runs Debian, and it is mad crazy.
The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
Get yourself an apple ibook... it has a very efficient battery. OSX is BSD based... if you don't like that then run over to yellowdoglinux.com and pick up a copy.
OZ 3.2 just came out, and has a slew of features that rock vs. the standard ones, such as:
variable RAM vs. storage allotment
writeable flash
new SSH installed by default
ability to sync to anywhere, not just your local USB
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
Can be had on Ebay for $100-200. This is the solution that I went with for a WiFi subnote to test our network.
I run Familiar on my Compaq (now HP) iPaq handheld. Very sweet. Get a PCMCIA sleeve, a wireless card, and you're all set. For those of you doing wireless security work, Kismet runs beautifully. There's also a GTK or Qt base available for you developers.
probably people need two more criteria. What is the budget in terms of $$, top end, and do you need a real keyboard integrated?
Without knowing those things, I think that any notebook or subnotebook (really no industry cutoff point there I think, it's a matter of taste) used that has a known track record of running and installing linux easily will narrow it down, then look at that list for best battery life. Virtually all decent used notebooks nowadays accept pcmcia cards, so wireless is just a matter of putting the appropriate card in.
Also, you have to ask yourself, is one or two lbs difference really a deal breaker? You might be able to get a pretty decent machine if you are willing to lug around 2 more lbs in gross weight. It seems like every pound subtracted from a "normal" laptop costs another 500 bucks or something like that and makes it harder to see and use. Me, I'd just as soon hump the extra weight and have a bigger screen and bigger battery, etc, for cheaper cost. For your needs, the older and slightly heavier used laptop would be cheaper to buy, then you could spend the savings on more ram, the wireless card, etc. Anything 200 mghz or larger runs linux in graphics mode just fine with enough ram, so text mode should be a piece of cake.
Check out the Sharp Actius MM10. It's basically a 10.5" screen and keyboard with integrated wi-fi. Just over 0.5" thick, 2.1 lbs and fanless. I saw it at Fry's for about $1300, but if you just want a machine that is basically a wi-fi terminal, this is the one for you.
While those are very cool, and I want one just for that reason, there is no keyboard on that toy.
.ogg files you'll still have space for.
Since the poster specifically mentioned:
All I really need is a linux command line to run SSH, links, and a few other things.
Then I'll wager no-keyboard is a deal breaker.
If you really want to run a command line comfortably, I'd suggest you bump up to the "small notebook, of previous generation processors" category. I just sold my Armada M700 series laptop, and I think it's lesser brothers might be a good match for your needs. The M700 was a true platform in that they had a large range of processors and ram that fit it. So compatible accessories abound on ebay.
Since they were targeted at the corporate types they have good docking station integration, and most importantly although there are an abundance of modern slip in peripherals (like a DVD/CDRW combo drive) the ones with the 400Mhz processors run XP like slugs so the corporate types are getting off them quick. This gives you a rare combination of "older laptop prices" but modern laptop battery and peripheral capability.
This one here. Will probably sell for $270. It's PII 400Mhz processor will run a LowProfile Linux very well, and then you get multiple xterms per screen (which is always cool when your admin-ing). Cooler still you can slip out that nearly useless DVD drive and slip an additional battery in, and get excellent run times. Which you'll need for 1500
This baby has been selling at Best Buy for $550 after rebates, which means that a lot of those items would be popping up on eBay brand new and sealed. It's a subnotebook from Sotec, a good Japanese brand, that's apparently trying to wage a price war on the US market.
I was able to boot up Knoppix CD with no problems, brought networking up and was capable of playing MP3 and MPEG video files. Have not tried installing Linux on it, but the assumption is it would go fine, since everything worked in bootable-CD version of Knoppix.
I have collected a list of vendors and some other information on the subject. Unfortunately this information is rather difficult to find. If you know of other vendors not on my list, please reply!
-- Bob
1^2=1; (-1)^2=1; 1^2=(-1)^2; 1=-1; 1=0.