Slashdot Mirror
Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card Updated
wehe writes "The Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card
was updated. The changes are based on some of the criticisms the
first announcement at SlashDot has got.
A matrix of Original Equipment Manufacturers - OEM relations
was added together with tips and tricks how to identify the original laptop manufacturer. Also a list of
Linux laptop and PDA resellers was added.
Unfortunately even in our times of Linux success, support by laptop manufacturers
is seldom, or if provided not much helpful. Though the marketing departments of
some major manufacturers have announced Linux support for their laptops sometimes, it
was not developed or silently dropped. Because of the rapid development
(every manufacturer creates new models almost every three months) and the specific hardware of
mobile computer devices and accessories (see
Linux Mobile Guide for details),
it is important to have current and reliable information about their Linux compatibility.
A current example is Intel`s new Centrino(TM)
technology. Though there are many
Linux laptop installation reports
available already, Intel still does not provide full Linux support yet.
Note: the URL of the original "Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card" has
changed from MobiliX to TuxMobil, because of severe trademark trouble
with Asterix and Obelix, as reported on
SlashDot."
Just FYI for those buying a laptop --
The "Radeons" that come with most new HP/Compaq laptops aren't really radeons. They are "Radeon IGP320/340" chips.
These -do not- work with the radeon 3d driver. To repeat: if you buy these laptops, you'll only get 3d support under windows. There is -no- 3d support under linux.
HP, Compaq, and ATI have all stonewalled on the issue. Getting support on this issue from any of them is useless. Heck, the only reason 2D works is because good folks in the community made it happen.
The bottom line is if you want accelerated 3D, look elsewhere.
I bought an iBook and threw Gentoo on it. For what I need, admining servers at work, life, wireless, great battery samba access, gnome2, nothing beats it. Also I can run mol (mac on linux) if I need to access the OS X side. The best of both worlds if you ask me.
CB
free ipod and free gmail!
How about a dedicated laptop linux distribution? So you don't have to choose all the individual drivers for the various hardware of you notebook. Instead you would just choose the manufacturer and model e.g. "Acer Travelmate 340T" and everything would be set.
What do you think?