Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card Updated 158
wehe writes "The Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card
was updated. The changes are based on some of the criticisms the
first announcement at SlashDot has got.
A matrix of Original Equipment Manufacturers - OEM relations
was added together with tips and tricks how to identify the original laptop manufacturer. Also a list of
Linux laptop and PDA resellers was added.
Unfortunately even in our times of Linux success, support by laptop manufacturers
is seldom, or if provided not much helpful. Though the marketing departments of
some major manufacturers have announced Linux support for their laptops sometimes, it
was not developed or silently dropped. Because of the rapid development
(every manufacturer creates new models almost every three months) and the specific hardware of
mobile computer devices and accessories (see
Linux Mobile Guide for details),
it is important to have current and reliable information about their Linux compatibility.
A current example is Intel`s new Centrino(TM)
technology. Though there are many
Linux laptop installation reports
available already, Intel still does not provide full Linux support yet.
Note: the URL of the original "Linux on Laptops Manufacturer Report Card" has
changed from MobiliX to TuxMobil, because of severe trademark trouble
with Asterix and Obelix, as reported on
SlashDot."
Re:right tool for the job (Score:2, Interesting)
However, I am currently sat in Trent Bridge cricket ground, watch england get another thrashing (112-7). Using my powerbook & GPRS phone, coding for x86 hardware, browsing and IM family, all with no settup headaches other than learning the differences between linux and bsd.
best 2000 i ever spent (just don't tell the wife
My Experience (Score:2, Interesting)
The worse problem: video. But after downloading the driver everything worked fine (Via TwisterK)
Network - no problem
Sound Card - no problem
Now, not everybody gets lucky. I had a friend who took some weeks and several distros to get his LCD panel to work... Video Card - Mobility Radeon
The funniest thing is that he payed 50000 more than I did...
That's why I got a powerbook (Score:4, Interesting)
So I held my breath and bought an Apple. I miss linux though.
Re:HP, Compaq + ATI = worst support ever (Score:1, Interesting)
The real problem is the hardware vendors... (Score:3, Interesting)
Software modems are always going to be a problem, one alternative there is to simply get a PC card modem that linux supports.
Graphics chipsets for example are also going to be a problem simply because even though there may be good linux support for desktop chipsets/cards like the GeForce4MX 440 (which is what I have), getting the manufacturers to support the laptop and "integrated" chipsets is harder.
Although there is an answer to the whole display drivers issue. Move to a 3-part driver. Part 1 would be like the miniport driver on windows and would contain all the actual low-level driver support. This bit would reside in the kernel and would ideally be Open Source or at the very least have "open glue code" like the current NVIDIA drviers do. This part would also include enough to get text mode going properly.
Part 2 would be like the DDI driver on windows and would convert the data from x-windows, svgalib or whatever else into the cards native format. This could sit in userland space and wouldnt be loaded until a graphical app was loaded. It would talk to the kernel portion via a special call that would enable 2-way communication between both halves in a way that is driver-specific but at the same time independant from changes to the kernel.
Part 3 would then be the 3d portion of the driver and would be written to work specificly with OpenGL.
Centrino Support - Intel says NEVER (Score:5, Interesting)
The article seems to imply that this will happen by saying Intel hasnt released them "yet", so I wanted to clear this up.
In response to the post just above mine, who wondered what the appeal of integrated wlan was: this thing is a cool drink of water compared to the good old days of dongles, and even compared to the current days of wireless cards sticking an inch out of the side of the notebook begging to be broken off.
I had just assumed that drivers would just be a matter of time, as I bought my Dell "Centrino" just about 2 weeks after the debut. works great in windows =/
Dell 600m and Linux (Score:3, Interesting)
I have the same laptop, but im running Win XP Pro for now.
Linux on Laptops (Score:1, Interesting)
Recomendations (Score:4, Interesting)
Laptop Linux distribution (Score:5, Interesting)
What do you think?
Other than 3d, my HP is a dream (Score:3, Interesting)
Then again, it's a laptop. I didn't exactly purchase it to play Doom 3.
My HP (ze4229ca) was a dream to install Linux on, really. Easier than many desktops. The only things I haven't got working on it (besides the 3d) are the modem (don't use it), and my wireless card (stupid Dlink ac100x card). Beyond that, putting RedHat on it was dead simple. Just use the generic VESA driver for video and boom - a nice, zippy Linux laptop.
Considering I can't even get Windows 2000 to INSTALL on it, let alone driver support, I'd say it gets a passing grade from me. It's been saving my butt this year during school; I can do my programming assignments anywhere (yes, our homework is to code in C in Linux
IBM Ebay Store (Score:5, Interesting)
Your dealing directly with Big Blue (you pay by credit card thru IBM's secure site), the laptops are brand new with full warranties, and the models are just a couple of steps behind their top of the line models. I have a Thinkpad X22, and everything works with Debian, even 3d acceleration.
The laptops they auction are heavily discounted, and many have a Buy It Now price for haggle free buying.
Also,check out IBM's Global Financing [ebay.com] site for refurbished computers and laptops. Great way to get and older Thinkpad that is sure to work with Linux.
Dell - competing for worst tech support (Score:1, Interesting)
But how do you convince Dell they need to release a BIOS update? I've spent hours on the phone with Dell tech support (located in India) trying to convince them my problem could be fixed by a BIOS update. One guy tried to convince my it was by design, another tried to get me to reinstall Windows, then wanted me to send my laptop in for repair (I had already told him 2 identical laptops have the same problem, running Win2k or Linux, and the last tech support person I talked to had reproduced it on his laptop).
I've tried asking for supervisors, asking for 2nd level support, asking for them to escalate this call, but each person refused. Most of the people I've talked to can barely speak English (every time I read my service tag number, they ask "B as in browel?" - I have no idea what word they're actually trying to say: brawl, bowel, brown, bravo???). One person took my email address, said she'd look into the problem, and mail me as soon as she got any information - that was 3 months ago.
I had to call Dell's "customer care line" before tech support would even talk to me, because I had to update the registered name/address on my laptop (it was a gift). I had to wait until the next work day, and I spent 45 minutes on hold before talking to anyone, but I was amazed to talk to someone who speaks perfect English. Unfortunately, that line is unable provide tech support, he could only give me the 1-800 number which connects you to India.
On top of all of this, Dell's tech support forum won't send web pages to me because I use an "unsupported browser" (I've tried recent versions of Mozilla, Mozilla Firebird, and Galeon) - I can't even read the forums, let alone post to them. And if I have Javascript off, I can't even get that far.
The laptop itself works great, except for the video card's 3D acceleration, and the winmodem (both would require binary drivers, which I won't install). But because of my tech support experience, I will never even consider buying anything from Dell. Maybe when I'm board, I'll phone each of Dell's 1-800 numbers, try to complain about tech support and/or contact someone who can get a BIOS update, and waste some more of Dell's money.