Suggestion: would be nice to have a mention of linux support in laptop reviews

shmuck

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May 30, 2010
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The XPS review and now the new mobile Nvidia chips have got me thinking about a laptop, but unlike a desktop I can't choose my components. I'm reliant on the manufacturer to provide a machine that can run Linux and most manufacturers aren't very diligent on this front.

Particularly with gaming laptops, it would be nice to have a mention somewhere in the review just verifying that everything works as expected in SteamOS (or any common Linux distribution really).
 
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Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
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Because it is actually more costly for OEMs to implement the OS (despite being free for the base OS). Things like integrated hardware have drivers that just do not exist for Linux and would have to be written, verified, and tested.

And it isn't just dealing with the graphics GPU only.

Also, the Linux market isn't official to push with OEMs, because if you wanted Linux - you already know how to do so (without the added cost on the OEM for implementation) - and in the end, the ONLY reason for wanting Linux is to have a specific task in mind for doing so in the first place.

Otherwise, it is the Coke and grocery store soda all over again. For purely gaming, there is not a point to do so for the sake of it (and even more limiting if you do just PC gaming).
 

shmuck

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May 30, 2010
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I'm not clear on what you're saying here. I would like to know which laptops work well with Linux and which don't before I buy one. This is a review site, and that's useful information that they could provide in their reviews. So that's what I'm asking for.
 

paperwastage

Golden Member
May 25, 2010
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http://www.linux-laptop.net/

there's too many variability in linux distros and version info (eg if ubuntu 13.10 works on this laptop, but 14.04 breaks a lot of stuff...)

there are specific laptops (system76, some dell laptops) that are shipped with a working linux distro

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013...3-developer-edition-linux-ultrabook-review/2/

The Good

Trouble-free Linux on good hardware

The Bad

Distros other than Ubuntu might still require some fiddling to work smoothly on the hardware
 
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Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
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I'm not clear on what you're saying here. I would like to know which laptops work well with Linux and which don't before I buy one. This is a review site, and that's useful information that they could provide in their reviews. So that's what I'm asking for.

You could discern the chips used (i.e. wireless chips for one) and there should be a generic driver for GNU/Linux at least made to be able to implement.

The key thing in laptops, is that CPUs are widely supported. GPUs to a degree for basic video output (3d acceleration and rendering maybe a different story). Keyboard support is also a given.

Things to look for when one consumer does look into a laptop is the amount of the different hardware the OEM uses, what controller chips power them, and if one can cross match to existing drivers and libraries in GNU/Linux areas.

Biggest areas of additional concern would be the USB controller (integrated controller hub of Intel's PCH or otherwise), LAN controller, WiFi, trackpads...

Custom keyboard functions, would need to be made ground up in many cases.

If you are asking if laptops have such compatibilities, that is how many reviewers/OEMs would do to match such. It is not as trivial as it seams (even if you install a blanket Linux install, it would only do so much - you still would have to acknowledge the components that do and do not work).

But if you expect an easy solution, I can point to this as a starting source.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/211113/how_to_buy_a_linux_laptop.html?page=2
 

shmuck

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May 30, 2010
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Well I certainly appreciate the help, but I wasn't really asking for help. Trying to determine if things will work correctly just by looking at the components used is a whole lot of work and isn't very reliable - I had a Toughbook, for example, with an audio chip that worked fine in Linux, but only if I used headphones. I couldn't get anything at all over the system speakers.

It also doesn't tell you anything about how the components work together - if the drivers aren't all in sync the system won't suspend correctly, for example. It's also difficult to tell if a component only partially works - I recall having a problem with a touchpad at one point where its basic functionality was there, but I couldn't get the scrolling areas to register at all. There used to be a problem with battery life in Linux as well, though I think that one has been largely resolved.

Anyway, these are all things that matter and when the nice people at Anandtech are doing a review of, for example, Razor's new fourteen inch Blade, they're things that I would like to know. Just a little section where they install some standard distro and run through its paces, then let us know what works and what doesn't.

This is particularly applicable to gaming laptops partly, I'll grant, because those are the ones that I am interested in, but partly because SteamOS is now available as what will likely become the gaming distro of choice and gives a standard by which they can measure. No need to install OpenSUSE and Mandrake and Ubuntu, etc., and test each one. Just let us know what does and doesn't work in SteamOS and we'll figure the rest out on our own. I'm thinking (all right, hoping) that SteamOS will become a rather large part of PC gaming in the next few years and any laptop that I buy now is going to have to work for me for multiple years, so this is relevant information.

Yes I can make use of paperwastage's link, and that's appreciated, but ultimately it's not much better than searching through forums. I'd like all the info to be right there in the review. That's what a review is for, after all: to provide information on whether or not the reader should make a purchase.
 

Fox5

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
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You need to go to different sources that deal with Linux. There ARE actually linux reviews out there.

Check Phoronix, or Notebookreview. Users frequently review laptops.

You can also do build to order laptops (like XoticPc and others) which let you choose the components you want, so you can make sure you only get things with Linux drivers.

Alternatively, run Linux in a VM.
 

shmuck

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May 30, 2010
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Yes, thank you. I'm aware of Phoronix, and they're a good site, but I come to Anandtech because I like the quality and presentation of their reviews. The only problem is that they don't currently even mention Linux compatibility in their reviews.

Linux compatibility is, I think, an important feature and one that, I believe, is only going to become more important in the future. So I am making the suggestion with this thread that Anandtech include just a little mention of it in their reviews. Maybe this isn't the right place for it, but there's no suggestions forum.

I am not asking for a Linux specific review, or extensive Linux benchmarks. I would like them to test Linux compatibility just as they would the keyboard or the trackpad or the battery, or any other feature.
 

Jodell88

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2007
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The hardware dell uses usually have good Linux support. The only laptop hardware I stay away from are clickpads.