Rich Shepard wrote: > On Sat, 19 Nov 2011, Richard Owlett wrote: > >> The local used computer store seems to have a assortment of Dell, Toshiba, >> and Acer. Any gotcha's to watch for? > > I've installed and run Linux on several Toshiba models (4, actually) with > no problems. I've also experience with an IBM ThinkPad 600E (too old, don't > buy one), a Sony Vaio, and my current portable, the Dell Latitude. Most > distributions will work well on these. > >> At home I'm restricted to dial-up access I have to deal with modem issues >> and will assume that any internal modem will be a "win modem(sic or >> sick?). I have a USB USRobotics modem which operates as long as the kernel >> is recent enough. If the internal modem works it will be considered a >> bonus. > > Don't assume winmodems any longer. The world's moved past that as far as I > know. > >> For downloading larger files I'll use the Wifi hotspot at >> local library. Will I have problems there? > > My suggestion is to get a live disk that boots a ubuntu (I favor xubuntu > but that's because I've used xfce for very many years). Take the disk with > you and use it to boot prospective machines. You'll see if it recognizes > everything in the case, including wifi and video. If it does, buy the box > and installed from the disk.
I planned to sort of flip that procedure to achieve the same goal. The store has a batch of computers in their back room that have yet to go thru their checkout procedure - due out in ~1 week. They will send me a list of make, model, ram, disk size, and price. I'll do some research and make an initial choice from that information. I do have several distros on CD &/or USB to use for a final Go/NOGO test. > > Rather than futzing with a bunch of distributions, WHAT? Take all the fun out of Life ;> > pick one and make sure > the hardware you buy supports it. Then use it long enough to form an opinion > whether it meets _your_ needs and suits _your_ preferences. Then you can > consider changing distributions. > > Of course, if your purpose is to tinker with linux then my suggestion is > withdrawn. I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that you want to use the > portable for work and any distribution that does what you need in a way that > you understand will do. Who me? Tinker? Left out one environmental issue - I'm *RETIRED* . Long term, maybe dream rather than goal, a lean mean computing machine. I don't like the glitzy swiss army knife approach of MS and some Linuxes. > > Good luck, > > Rich > _______________________________________________ > PLUG mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug > > _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
