[TriLUG] recommendation for laptop running vmware

[Roy Vestal]

Glen,
 I've been able to install 6 different versions/flavors of linux on Toshiba, Dell, IBM, Gateway, and one Sager. Best thing to do is find out what hardware, specifically video, PCMCIA controller and sound controller that the laptop has, and verify it against the HCL of your distribution of choice. I use Red Hat on one, Debian on another, Gentoo on a third, and believe it or not, Solaris 2.8 for Intel on the 4th.

If you are going used (like me), check out www.linux-laptops.net for war stories on the models you are looking at.

HTH


On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 15:12:01 -0400
Lee Fickenscher <elfick at trilug.org> wrote:

> Glen,
> I would have to say that Dell would be an excellent choice. I run Linux
> on my Dell Inspiron 8200 and the only issue I have is that their new
> Truemobile 1180 mini-pci 802.11b card is not (yet) supported under linux.
> It is a broadcom 4301 chip as opposed to their old Truemobile 1150 that
> was an orinico (I think). I'm still pissed at them for making that
> change without telling anyone (my invoice actually lists the 1150), but
> other than that, it is a great machine. So if you do get a Dell, don't
> bother getting the mini-pci 802.11b card unless you just want it there
> in case someone finally makes a driver for it.
> 
> I'm told though that the IBMs are a little hardier. 
> 
> Video works great, but getting 3d accel was a little trying (I made the
> mistake of getting the ATI version, get the nvidia version and you
> should be fine).
> 
> I feel compelled to ask though... what could you possibly need to do at
> home that would require winblows?
> 
> -Lee
> 
> On Sat, Apr 12, 2003 at 12:31:49PM -0400, Glen Ford wrote:
> >    I am looking to buy a laptop to run Windows stuff for home and Linux 
> > for my work.
> > I would like to run Vmware with Linux 8.0 as either native or guest 
> > operating system.
> > I want to make sure that the laptop I buy will run Linux without any 
> > weird compatibility issues such as configuring the video.
> > I was leaning toward a Dell laptop only because of price and convenience 
> > of ordering.
> > Does anyone know of any issues with Dell or can anyone recommend an 
> > other brand based on my requirements.
> > 
> > Thanks for any help pointers
> > 
> > /glen
> > 
> > 
> > 
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> > 
> 
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-- 
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Roy Vestal
rvestal at trilug.org
http://www.trilug.org/~rvestal

The box said "Install Windows 2000 or better", so I installed LINUX!
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