Suggestions for laptop purchase for Fedora Core 3?

[Sam Williams]

On Sun, 2005-05-08 at 10:57 -0400, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
> David A. Wheeler writes:
> 
> > and I can walk home with it.  And it has a faster processor.
> > Oh, and the wireless, network, and modem are internal, so they
> > don't use any PCI slots, in contrast to laclinux.
> > 
> > Bottom line: About a $600+ premium.  For a no-name.  Ouch.
> 
> You get what you pay for.
> 
> My no-name laptop will spank the monkey out of any name-brand laptop, as far 
> as Linux reliability and support goes.
> 
> My experience is that name-brand hardware is utter crap.  That goes for 
> desktops too, not just laptops.  I've been buying laptops and servers from 
> independent retailers for a long time, and never had a reason to regret it. 
> They use the exact same components that the name brands do, except that the 
> stick to ones that are actually work in both XP and Linux.  My laptop has a 
> built-in compactflash reader.  Never had a chance to use it, but as far as I 
> can tell Linux sees it, and it has an mountable icon in Gnome.
> 
> Now, if you get some big-name Dell or HP, with a built-in flash reader, what 
> do you think your chances are of seeing Linux even be aware that the bloody 
> thing exists?
> 

Sam,

Quality and compatibility are two separate issues.

Sometimes you do get what you pay for.  I've had better luck with name
brand computers than built-in-a-back-room boxes but, statistically my
sample, though substantial, is too small to be meaningful.  Sometimes
big companies use parts of higher quality than you get at some parts
houses--even when part numbers are the same.  A local place sells parts
returned to a big name (and they don't hide that fact).  The parts are
cheap, have the right part number and often work--how long might be a
valid question.  One can put together a no-name box inexpensively but
might not mention the parts source when selling the assembled box.

The secret to getting a computer that runs with the version of ..IX you
plan to use is to match drivers to hardware.  You pay a premium to Dell
or HP if they certify their computer works with the OS they load.  If
you can do the research yourself, you can substitute your time for the
money.  If you can't, it's a craps shoot.

The other Sam