(sneaks out of the shadows and delurks...)
Steven Murdoch wrote:
>
> I may be buying a laptop in the next couple of months and I was wondering
> if anyone had any recommendations for models that work well, components to
> avoid etc...
> I've never owned a laptop or tried installing Linux on one so any
> information that you think will be useful is greatly appreciated (both
> about laptops in general and Linux on a laptop).
>
Well, one thing to watch out for is the inbuilt modems.
If you wish to use an inbuilt modem,
check that it isn't a winmodem (a modem which uses Windows software
compoments,
and is difficult or impossible to get working with Linux).
Check the Linux on Laptops pages http://www.linux-laptop.net/
for information on the model you are after.
Most people seem to like Dells as having very Linux-compatible hardware,
though I've seen Linux running on most every laptop.
Ranging in size from iPaq (OK -not a laptop) to Sharp sub-notebooks,
Librettos, up to Think Pads and my own HP Omnibook.
If you're interested in a cheaper discontinued model, which doesn't come
with Windows, check out Morgans http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk
They sell off end-of-line and ex-corporate kit.
Email me off list if you want me to look in their shop window
(I'm an ex-pat)
John Hearns
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http://www.lug.org.uk http://www.linuxportal.co.uk
http://www.linuxjob.co.uk http://www.linuxshop.co.uk
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