Can anyone recommend a laptop?

mrzack · 02-04-2007, 10:03 PM

I've been thinking about purchasing a laptop, but I wasn't sure what kind of laptop would be the best a Linux distro. I'm most likely going to install Ubuntu or Debian. I'm looking for internet browsing, audio/video media, word processing, email, and possible web development. So, can anyone recommend a laptop for around $600?

Kujila · 02-04-2007, 10:12 PM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840116787

Pros: Lightweight, nice screen, sleek design, Non-GMA 950 graphics, dual core, was on sale last week for $599 (Best Buy); expect it to go on sale again in the next couple months.

Cons: Cheaply made, flimsy keyboard, two days after release I saw one returned with a faulty DVD-RW, and one customer with complaints

J.W. · 02-04-2007, 10:39 PM

Get a used IBM Thinkpad. I've got a T40 that I wouldn't trade for anything....

PhillipHuang · 02-05-2007, 12:54 AM

I agree with J.W. My old IBM Thinkpad T23 runs Linux very well till now. So IBM Thinkpad series would be the best choice.

rickh · 02-05-2007, 01:15 AM

From the blog of Debian Developer, Annabelle Tully:

Quote:

Posted on Monday 5 February 2007

On another ‘wild’ Friday night I accidentally spilled beer all over my X40. Panic. I SMS’ed half my phonebook in panic asking for advice.

After opening it and finding everything untouched by beer, I noticed a nifty thing about ThinkPads I have never noticed before. Apparently they all have a spill resistant keyboard where the liquid gathers and drains through it, not touching the vital fine electronics inside. Probably old news to some, but new to me :-) .

Relieved to see that the only thing not working on my laptop so far is pageup/pagedown. They will randomly switch between working and not working, but switching keyboards is trivial and cheap. Yay ThinkPad!

mrzack · 02-05-2007, 09:58 AM

Is it difficult to set up the buttons that control the volume, brightness of the screen, etc? Or are they not controlled through the OS?

PhillipHuang · 02-05-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrzack

Is it difficult to set up the buttons that control the volume, brightness of the screen, etc? Or are they not controlled through the OS?

It's quite easy to tune volume/brightness, and seems that they're not controlled by the OS.

elmr007 · 02-05-2007, 07:37 PM

Yes I would agree a thinkpad t40 or t23

J.W. · 02-05-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillipHuang

It's quite easy to tune volume/brightness, and seems that they're not controlled by the OS.

Agreed, there are separate buttons for volume increase/decrease, and the brightness is controlled by Fn+Home (brighter) or Fn+End (dimmer). The OS is not a factor

rshaw · 02-05-2007, 11:06 PM

another on the thinkpad bandwagon. got mine as a factory refurb at overstock.com . still running like a champ