Hardest linux hardware to find?

Vote! I'm interested to assess what problems people have had finding hardware that works with linux.

What is the hardest piece of hardware to find that works with linux?

Webcams
Digicams
Scanners
Specialist Printers
Graphics Tablets
Cheap TV Cards
USB media like those 9 in 1 drives
Sat Nav
Mobile Phones
MP3 players
VoIP hardware

Is there anything in particular that is hard to find? Perhaps there's only one manufacturer that makes one that works with linux and even then it's a dodgy kernel module.


edit:: oops, forgot modems. And WIFI! How do I add that vote option?

Judging from the number posts on this forum, I would guess the number one linux hardware compatibility problem is wireless network cards. You should definitely include that in your poll.

sometimes graphics cards are difficult but they are more common than some of the other devices. Therefore there is a lot more support on the forum and programs like NDISwrapper help out a lot.

how do I add an vote option?

Note that the ease or difficulty in getting a device to work under Linux depends largely upon the manufacturer's willingness to offer Linux drivers. In other words, if the manufacturer doesn't offer Linux drivers, blame that company, not Linux.

My vote goes to wireless. Make sure you buy a webcam that supports the PWC module (Like Logitech Quickcam 4000 or Philips camera's) and you have no problem with that, but wireless is a different matter.

Originally Posted by tamoneya sometimes graphics cards are difficult but they are more common than some of the other devices. Therefore there is a lot more support on the forum and programs like NDISwrapper help out a lot.

NDISwrapper is no solution. We need manufacturers to support Linux natively, not some wrapper for win32 drivers.

I have never got my web cam to work on linux. And my sister's nokia 3230 has been a bit dificult too. Though I can transfer files using bluetooth but that's not enough. Something like Nokia PC-suite or even better nokia PC suite for linux would be gr8.

I find some laptop hardware particularly hard to configure for linux. I also have had alot of trouble with my Philips GoGear MP3 player (still havn't gotten that working, it depends on Windows Media Player), and the USB cable for my cell phone.

Perhaps someone knows of a mp3 player that is cheap but works easy on linux?

I haven't been able to get a Logitech Messenger web cam to work despite others may have. I know its not the best choice, only one that came with cable broadband. I willing to buy another like perhaps the Logitech STX but don't want to spend money for another camera that doesn't work.

I had no problem with bttv TV, my issue is ivtv.

Does anyone else think girlfriend should be on that list???

i have had SO MANY problems with wireless network cards.
not blaming linux, BLAMING the manufacturer of the card.