light, powerful linux compatible laptop; reccomendations?

[bubba]

Anyone have any reccomendations for a light, powerful fully linux-compatible laptop? I have just started looking, and would appreciate advice/opinions. Quality and reliability are more important than price.

 

[n0cmonkey]

iBook
sony stuff

 

[gsaldivar]

I can't vouch for Linux compatibility, but if you're in the market for a lightweight lappy, Sony has several to choose from:

The Sony C1 "PictureBook" weighs 2.2 lbs and starts at about $1600

The Sony SRX77 weighs 2.76 lbs and starts at about $1500

The Sony R505 "SuperSlim" weighs 4.37 lbs and starts at about $1400

More info on Sony VAIO Laptops here.

Hope this helps - good luck!

 

[manly]

IBM Thinkpad T series.

 

[bubba]

This has to be IBM compatible. It also must be VERY linux-compatible. Anyone know how linux compatible the Sony's are? Any brands that are particularily linux-INcompatible?

Thanks!

 

[gsaldivar]

This link may help you determine Linux compatibility on different laptop models:

Linux-laptop.net

 

[n0cmonkey]

Either the database did wierd things or Im thinker than I drunk I am

 

[TonyRic]

Thinkpad T Series. I have a T21 and have run Debian, Red Hat, Mandrake, Progeny, and a few others on this thing... All ran great with no problems.

 

[DaHitman]

IBM... they have even made sure to write linux drivers for the included winmodems for you..

 

[bubba]

How about Toshiba Satellite/Satellite Pro's? How about HP OmniBook 6100's? Anyone have experience with them?

 

[hans007]

im playing with a t23 right now... wow that laptop is wicked. its not the most stylish looking laptop on earth, but its light, fast, and powerful. not to mention insanely expensive.


if you want a cheap machine go to www.powernotebooks.com and get the PowerPro III:19 . its the same as the toshiba satelite pro 3000 , except without the SD reader slot, but with built in 802.11b. its also like $400 less. sweet laptop, up to 1.2 ghz, with geforce 2 go.

 

[bubba]

I am leaning towards a Dell Latitude C400 now, because it is so small and light. The only problem is the video (which can be worked around with the Xi Graphics drivers). Any comments on that laptop?

 

[paranoidandroid]

ive got no problems with my toshiba portege (3480ct). except for no opengl... im guessing the newer portege's (2000 and 4000) work about the same. kinda wanting to try out a toshiba libretto L series....or perhaps getting a ibm t23 as well. i think you might wanna get something with nvidia geforce2go or around that. nvidia has been great with linux drivers...they work just as good as ms drivers. opengl in linux is coming along pretty nicely. except for the shoddy refresh rate on laptop screens...you will be able to run opengl apps/games well (ie quake3...or whatever games people play now )...just hook an external monitor to your laptop and play. sonys and ibm's have great linux support. dont know about dells/gateways/etc. stray AWAY from toshiba satellites except for the really newer models. they are not well made at all and will probably not run linux ever. (BIOS problems amongst other problems such as really crappy components put together by poorly trained monkeys) oh yeah....keep in mind that a good case is important. ibm t series are titanium composite. wouldn't it great to be an owner of a seemingly bulletproof laptop? though i wouldnt want to be the one actually "testing" that.

 

[bubba]

I am leaning toward the Dell because I can get it with a 1.2 GHz PIII-M, 512MB RAM or more, and a 40GB drive.

Just wondering if anyone had a good reason to go with a different ultra-light. The video situation is bugging me, but it can be worked around.