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Linux on a Laptop?

R

Rainsford

Lifer
I have an old P100 laptop that I would like to turn into a server for a small website, and I want to use Mandrake 8.0 Linux as the OS. Anyone know how well Linux runs on laptops? All I want to run as far as peripherals go is a PCMCIA NIC from 3Com. It's a Toshiba Portige (sp?). Not sure of model number, don't have it with me. Any feedback would be helpfull. Thanks.
 
It should run, but I would think a third or forth time before trying to use it as a server.

EDIT: linuxlaptops.org or something (not positive as to the url, but its close) should be a good place to start looking.
 


<< It should run, but I would think a third or forth time before trying to use it as a server.

EDIT: linuxlaptops.org or something (not positive as to the url, but its close) should be a good place to start looking. >>



Why shouldn't I use it as a small server. Keep in mind that it would get very few hits per day and would be used for web stuff only?
 


<<

<< It should run, but I would think a third or forth time before trying to use it as a server.

EDIT: linuxlaptops.org or something (not positive as to the url, but its close) should be a good place to start looking. >>



Why shouldn't I use it as a small server. Keep in mind that it would get very few hits per day and would be used for web stuff only? >>



Heat mostly, but laptops arent meant to run 24/7. I deffinately dont want to tell you not to do it, but keep that in mind when you try it out.
 
I would recommend against Mandrake and more towards debian or maybe even FreeBSD.

The fact that it's a laptop might affect the 24x7 operation. You might want to get a cheap $200 system and run it there.

cl
 
Keep in mind that if you do go ahead and use the laptop, recompile your kernel with the HLT instruction ENABLED. This will shut down portions of the cpu when not in use and cause the machine to run cooler (basically what Rain and Waterfall used to do in Windows). It should help keep it cool (and alive). A really cheap desktop/tower would work a lot better though.
 
Hmm, my school is having a surplus computer sale this Wednesday, maybe I can pick something up there. Cause it sounds like running a laptop as a server is not so good an idea.
 
If you're looking for alow end server, just get some old workstation.

Thats what I did, have a HP Kayak serving as my firewall right now, doing fine, and it cost me 25$.
 
Where do you guys get cheap, old computers? I was thinking e-bay or something, but I would get killed on shipping something that cheap. Any other ideas?
 


<< Where do you guys get cheap, old computers? I was thinking e-bay or something, but I would get killed on shipping something that cheap. Any other ideas? >>



Computer show, and HamFests are good places... hamfests are really good to get old hardware.. and odd hardware like old SUN's etc..


And for an old laptop or something, don't forget the obvious pawn shop solution.
 
I actually think a laptop would make a perfect server with light traffic. 1) It doesn't take up much space, 2) It doesn't produce much heat or consume much electricity, and 3) it will not be very noisy (the only P100 Portege is the Portege 620CDT which doesn't even have a fan).
If you are worried about heat, then prop it up in the back and keep it in an area where it will get plenty of fresh air (i.e. don't sandwich in a bookshelf). Otherwise, don't expect much performance wise, but hey, it's a small basic server right?
As far as a nic card, steer clear of Cardbus nics, as they won't work with that older laptop. I would research the nic you are interested to make sure that linux has support for it. Still have found drivers for my Proxim 7200 wireless nic.
 


<< Is there some sort of resource that says what hardware Linux supports? Thanks >>



redhat.com
suse.com
any other linux site will have information about it 🙂
 
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