Any ideas on the best/most compatable laptop for Mepis? I am looking at a midrange p3, might order it from http://www.pricewatch.com/ (link on left for "no OS) but not sure which a good one might be.

any ideas? anyone have a perfect install ?

You could try http://www.sub300.com

Their default OS is Linspire but they'll also install Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, SUSE ...

They'll also convert your computer to Linux for free ... http://www.sub500.com/challenge.htm

(note that sub300.com and sub500.com are the same outfit; the latter gives Canadian prices)

I don't know if I could specifically recommend any particular laptop computer. I can only relate to you that my Toshiba Satellite 1135-S1553 had no problems whatsoever running MEPIS. All its hardware was properly identified (on board video, NIC, sound, PCMCIA and so forth). The only issue with my laptop and with most others is getting the power saver functions to work correctly. That may take a bit of digging around. I would try to stick with a mainstream machine though - Dell, IBM, Toshiba, HP, Compaq, and other popular models. You'll have better luck rounding up support and any necessary drivers.

Here's a guide to how to get it to work on Averatec:
http://plg.uwaterloo.ca/~gvcormac/averatec.html

I don't know if that helps.

FWIW:

I've got a Dell latitude C840, P4 1600. Bought it 2nd hand. Basically, everything works as far as hw recognition is concerned. I.e:
- sound
- ethernet (wired and wireless)
- display (needs tweaking XF86Config-4, but nothing serious)
- graphics card (Nvidia), with dual display and all
- CPU throttle (3.3.1 uses CPUfreq which is a bit buggy, but I could give you a workaround)
- Suspend to RAM works flawlessly!! (manual configuration required, but again, I could help you out)
- DVD, CD-R work with no hassle
- touchpad or external mouse
- Fan control via BIOS, so no overheating!!
- battery status
- ACPI
-.....

have not tried InfraRed nor FireWire, but I've read it works......

Only thing that does not (yet) work:
- special Fn function keys for HW control do not all work (volume control does work, as does dual display swicthing)
- Suspend to Disk (hibernate) Maybe I should persist, but with Suspend 2 Ram being so damn fast and reliable, why should I bother?

In short: one heck of a laptop with Mepis!

thanks for the help! I am still diggin around but I hope to be running soon.

ps I like the Sub300 site, but what exactly is below $300 there!? am i misinterpreting the name?

thnaks again!
lefty.crupps

I suspect that the name was chosen before the US$ tanked. The Canadian version, sub500.com has a couple of systems under $500. But I see that the US version does have one desktop for $285 or so.

Hi
Have a look at Tux Mobile at (http://tuxmobil.org/) it's a great site for checking compatibility.
Good Luck
Jim

Due to great pricing, I bought an Acel TravelMate 3002LCi. With MEPIS, I've got most everything working except the internal wireless. (SuSE 9.3 wouldn't even see the harddisk, tho!!) I appreciate the help, and I'll be writing up an HCL entry soon. Thanks again!