The Averatec 6240 is a AMD64 laptop that shows a lot of promise for Linux.<p>

I downloaded the 64-bit version of the FC3 Distro and installed that without a problem. Then I downloaded the latest kernel and compiled that with the AMD64 option and that went OK.<p>

I had to find the driver for the internal wireless card and install that, and that works like a charm under Linux. Indeed, it seems to work better than it does under Windows XP (I set up the laptop to dual-boot), because under Windoze the carrier keeps droping out and reconnecting. Under Linux, the Wi-Fi connection stays connected.<p>

My biggest complaint is the lack of a driver *that works* for the SiS M760 chipset for the display. I am currently running using a VESA display driver giving me 1024x768, not the 1280x800 that I *should* be getting. Whenever I try to get the SiS driver running, I get a "fireworks" display on the laptop, probably due to an incorrect dot-clock setting or some such.<p>

Another complaint -- this not having to due with the laptop itself, but PHP -- there is no 64-bit version of PHP ready for prime-time. It is possible to compile PHP for 64 bits, but alas there are *many* places in the config files that are hard-coded for "lib" directories which needs to be converted to "lib64". I spent half a day trying to find all the places and I still don't get a clean compile. I suppose I could eventually if I had more time to spend mucking about with it, but I think I'll just compile a 32-bit version of Apache and PHP instead. Annoying since Apache and Perl compiles cleanly for 64-bits. Why can't PHP do the same?<p>

So, while I love this laptop, there are quite a few cavets to consider for Linux hacks. If you actually have the time to hack it, go for it. Alas, I actually have to make money on this stuff, so I can't afford the time.

This computer works great for all the standard Linux use that I would expect from any computer, and comes in a nice Laptop package. Since the graphics chips are not well supported yet in linux 3D is not really an option. However from a laptop perspective this is a great system. I like the DVD player option as well as the remote. I have everything working on the system except the PCMCIA port which I understand is an issue for other people. I don't have much of a use for mine other than storing the remote for the dvd function. I noticed that this laptop is also being sold under the ABS logo with a slightly newer processor from AMD as a Mayhem F15 A50. For an out of date, poorly formated report I wrote about linux running on this machine check out http://well.hopto.org/averatec.doc