[clug] Linux Laptop?

[Robert Edwards]

I bought a couple of HP Pavillion dv2305TU laptops from Tricky Dicky
(sorry - I must grow up - I meant Dick Smith Electronics) last year for
$950 ex. GST (so about $1050).

15" wide screen, 1GB RAM, 1.86 Core Duo, DVD burner, 802.11g (no support
for "b" under Linux for some reason) etc. Sound works. Plays DVDs fine.
Even has a cute little IR Remote that sits in the Express-Card (PCMCIA)
slot.

Works fine with Gutsy (as far as anything works fine with Gutsy!).
Weighs more than previous laptops, but costs heaps less.

In summary, most low end HP laptops will run most modern Linux distros
just fine, but take a live-CD in with you just to make sure.

Cheers,

Bob Edwards.

David Adams wrote:
> Hey guys,
> 
> My laptop got jacked today. Bottom line: I was looking for a new laptop 
> with a fair amount of grunt and good Linux support. As I don't have 
> internet access without my laptop I can't shop around myself. I'd like 
> to purchase it locally as I need it quickly to get on the net...
> 
> Obviously, good "out of the box" Linux support in Hardy/Gutsy for all 
> the hardware (including Wireless, widescreen, DVD burner etc) is a must. 
> Buying one which DOESN'T come preloaded with Windows will obviously be 
> really, really good.
> 
> I'd rather not have one that has lots of unnecessary features such as 
> fingerprint readers, especially as they simply weigh more, cost more and 
> cause hardware conflicts.
> 
> Hardware I'd like:
> 
> - Large, widescreen screen. Without net I can't get exact dimensions- 
> but yeah. Big is good.
> - Dual core processor.
> - About 1.5gig of ram, give or take 500mb.
> - Robust and sturdy.
> - DVD burner would be nice, but not essential.
> - A couple of USB ports.
> - Decent, easy-to-type-on keyboard.
> - No unnecessary features (floppy drives, fingerprint readers, 
> cardreaders etc).
> - Not preloaded with Windows, but I realize this is... impossible pretty 
> much.
> 
> My budget is about $1,000 (cool!!)->$1,500 (acceptable)->$2,000 (... 
> reeeally? :'( ).
> 
> Anyone have anything they can recommend? Again, I'd like to buy it 
> locally if I can.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Dave.