Need Help Finding Compatible Laptop for Linux
 

Hi-

I'm currently trying to find a laptop that is compatabile with Linux. I would appreciate any advice that is available. However, just as a quick note I would prefer to have a dual boot system, with Windows and Linux. Hope to hear from someone soon.

Thanks in advance!

Any laptop should be fine. What you want to look out for is what wireless chipset the laptop uses, which video... Linux will work on any laptop the problem comes down to drivers usually. Sometimes different distro's will work better or easier on different laptops.
I have a HP Pavilion dv5 with an Atheros wireless card. I tried Kubuntu 8.10, OpenGeu 8.04 and a couple of others on it and they seemed to work fine except for the wireless was a pain to set up. I decided to try LinuxMint 6 with KDE4.2 and it was much easier to get my wireless working.

So it basically is just up to you. If you are going to dual boot, make sure you run the defragger in Windows a couple of times before trying to load another OS or you will run into a lot of trouble.

Most laptops work fine with Linux. You can always buy a Linux laptop as Dell sell some of them (but hide it very well) and Lenovo also offers SUSE on their machines.

Most laptops work fine as long as you pick generic hardware and avoid extras such as media buttons (y'know, the touch-sensitive ones above the keyboard) and fingerprint readers. This is what brings the most trouble.

Also, look for a supported wireless card, as some less common ones might give you a lot of trouble.

I don't think you have to stay away from media buttons. I have the touch sensitive ones on my HP Pavilion and they work great. Even the sliding volume touch works flawless.
What do you mean by "generic hardware"?? Nvidia and ATI both work in Linux, DVD/CD burners work, and even most wireless cards (unless you get something very obscure). Broadcom wireless seems to be the best supported and easiest to set up though.

I was thinking that too, but it seems is true only for 99.9999% of the case!?! I just bought a DELL LATITUDE E6500, everything work "out of the box" with FEDORA 10 (wifi, hibernation, nvidia QUADRO...), except the DVD burner! But I hope that's really an exception...

This Compaq Laptop worked out well for another forum member recently.

Alternately you can look at what laptops manufacturers are selling with linux..
Dell Linux Laptops

HP Laptops certified for Linux

Lenvo Linux Laptops

Lots of choices out there if you do your homework.

http://tuxmobil.org/mylaptops.html

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/

http://www.linlap.com/

Thank You
 

I just wanted to thank you all for the quick responses!! You all gave me great feedback, now I have a better feel for purchasing the proper laptop.

Glad we were able to help,


and Welcome to Linuxquestions.org !! :)