Laptop recomendations

[Dotan Cohen]

On 10/03/07, Kwan Lowe <kwan at digitalhermit.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm running FC6 on a Dell 6400/E1505 right now. Widescreen display
> > works, touchpad works, wifi works, usb works, card reader works, VGA
> > output works.
>
> I have a couple of these also... The only thing I can say about the Dell is that it
> was cheap and fairly decent processor/memory when I bought it. The build quality is
> crap though, and the service is crappier. But it was the cheapest by about $200
> versus a similarly configured HP.  I'll probably go with a Toshiba next though:

Yep. Money not well saved, in my after-thought opinion.

> For the Linux specific stuff:
>
> 1) Try to get an NVidia video if at all possible. I've had nothing but grief trying
> to get the ATI drivers to work properly on FC6.

I'm doing that now. PITA.

> 2) Upgrade to the Intel wireless card for $10. Both the Dell default (some Broadcom
> card) and the Intel work, but it was much easier (at least for me) to get the latter
> to work.

I did get the Intel card, from advice on this list.

> 3) On the Windows side you can disable how the media button acts, but pretty much
> just set it to do nothing or try loading the Windows EXT2 drivers so you can read
> the Linux side from Winders.

There is no windows side.

> 4) For the front keys it's a matter of playing with xev and finding the keyscan
> codes. Then you can put them in KDE or your xinit to launch/control stuff.
> Supposedly XMMS can be controlled this way but I've not tried.

I did try that, I don't remember why I didn't get very far.

> 5) BTW, the glossy screen is an option. I think it's called "Truelife" and it's $20
> or so more. I like it, but it is annoying if there are bright lights around you
> because of the glare.

It wasn't an option on this lappy. At least not with the 1400x1050 resolution.

> 6) Sleeping/hibernate worked once, stopped working after one update, started again,
> stopped again.. Haven't done any troubleshooting yet. It does as well in Windows so
> I can't really blame Fedora.

Good to know.

> 7) Oh yeah, Dell support is utter crap for Windows. I can't imagine what it's like
> for Linux.

It's not crap for linux. It doesn't even exist!

Dotan Cohen

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