DVI output, ATI or nVidia: back to the main point

[Dr. Michael J. Chudobiak]

Mario Rossi wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Thanks everybody for all the useful mails about open source/binary drivers.
> My original point was:
> 
> 1)I'm running X on a laptop with an ATI card (for which there must be
> some sort of open source driver, since X works without fglrx).
...
>> From all the mails, and some goggleing, I've understood that Intel
> produces cards that are fully supported by Linux, while nVidia's are
> better (if you use a binary only driver).

However, Intel does not sell add-on cards. It only makes graphics 
devices that are pre-installed on motherboards. (The ADD2 card that I 
mentioned allows you to add a DVI port, but the graphics processor is 
still on the motherboard.)

You only choices are ATI and nvidia, for your laptop. (Are you sure the 
graphics system on your laptop can be replaced? I didn't think they 
could do that - I avoid laptops as much as possible, so I could be wrong.)

Personally, I've had better results (easier installation) with nvidia 
products than with ATI ones.

There are open-source and closed-source drivers available for both types 
of cards. The open-source ones are easier to install (Fedora should use 
them automatically, to start), but the closed-source binary ones have 
much better performance.

If all else fails, use the bare-bones "vesa" driver - but forget about 
movies.

It's all a little too complicated :-(

Hope this helps!


- Mike