New laptop for linux

AdbekunkusMX · 11-20-2014, 09:35 AM

Hello everyone.

This is a rather silly question but I don't know where to ask it; google returned nothing useful. What I want is a new laptop that will run linux without a glitch.

Not that I have trouble running linux now; I have an Acer Aspire E1 running LMDE, here's info from inxi:

Code:

System:    Host: sophus Kernel: 3.11-2-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: MATE 1.6.1  Distro: LinuxMint 1 debian
Machine:   System: Acer product: Aspire E1-421 version: V1.04
           Mobo: Acer model: EA40_BZ Bios: Insyde version: V1.04 date: 05/02/2012
CPU:       Dual core AMD E-450 APU with Radeon HD Graphics (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4a ssse3 svm) 
           Clock Speeds: 1: 825.00 MHz 2: 825.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Wrestler [Radeon HD 6320] 
           X.Org: 1.14.3 drivers: ati,radeon (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: 1366x768@60.1hz 
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on AMD PALM GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 9.2.2
Audio:     Card-1: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] FCH Azalia Controller driver: snd_hda_intel Sound: ALSA ver: k3.11-2-amd64
           Card-2: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] Wrestler HDMI Audio driver: snd_hda_intel 
Network:   Card-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 v2.0 Gigabit Ethernet driver: atl1c 
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: 04:7d:7b:e1:16:f2
           Card-2: Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 Wireless Network Adapter driver: ath9k 
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: 74:e5:43:4c:62:ab
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (39.6% used) 1: id: /dev/sda model: ST500LT012 size: 500.1GB 
Partition: ID: / size: 15G used: 6.3G (47%) fs: ext4 ID: /boot size: 488M used: 31M (7%) fs: ext4 
           ID: /home size: 434G used: 179G (44%) fs: ext4 ID: swap-1 size: 10.49GB used: 0.09GB (1%) fs: swap 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 57.6C mobo: N/A gpu: 57.0 
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A 
Info:      Processes: 143 Uptime: 1 day Memory: 1103.7/3690.4MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 1.9.14

The problem with previous distros was hibernating; the fglrx driver (propietary) had a lot of issues; now I can hibernate. I don't know for sure what driver I use but it is most likely to be radeon.

Now I want a new laptop and I was wondering what hardware should I look for... I've heard that there's most resources for Intel hardware, is that true? What about HD graphics, webcams, touchpads and soundcards?

Any help will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance

DavidMcCann · 11-20-2014, 11:26 AM

There's not likely to be a problem with most well-known makes. The best bet is to find out what to avoid. So, look at what's available in your price range and pick a short list. Then you can search for each model and Linux, to see if a lot of people are having problems. As you say, video is usually the difficult thing, so it may be worth checking the card separately. If you get something very new, the driver for wifi may not be ready, but the Windows one can be made to work with Ndiswrapper.

It depends where you live, but it may be worth searching on-line for a firm selling computers with Linux pre-installed.

LinBox2013 · 11-20-2014, 12:49 PM

My system is from Sytem76. I would highly reccomend them. And since they are a Linux machine vendor, you don't have to worry about it working.

Soapm · 11-20-2014, 09:30 PM

Sound cards are another challenge with Linux. Alsa and pulse audio can be hit and miss (my $00.02)

frankbell · 11-20-2014, 09:38 PM

I am very happy with my Zareason Strata. Unlike System76 or ThinkPenguin, Zareason allows you to pick your distro.

I have also had good luck with Dells, but, I must say, hibernation is a feature I do not use. I sometimes suspend, but I don't hibernate. It's just a personal quirk.

Dell is enamored with Broadcom wireless, which is irritating, but it is not, as we used to say on the railroad, a "fatal defect." Broadcom can be made to work; it just takes an extra step or two.

I must say, I've been lucky enough never to have problems with sound.

AdbekunkusMX · 11-21-2014, 12:09 PM

Thanks everyone! I am now at the ZaReason site to see if they ship to my country. Cheers!!