LinuxQuestions.org
Download your favorite Linux distribution at LQ ISO.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 05-13-2009, 08:43 PM   #1
socceroos
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Distribution: Ubuntu, FreeBSD, Fedora
Posts: 125

Rep: Reputation: 16
Question Need help deciding to buy Sony Vaio P Series netbook


I'm trying to ascertain whether or not I should by the Sony Vaio P series netbook. Its an absolutely marvellous piece of hardware - but I need to know if Linux will run on it.

Specifically, does anyone else own one of these and have they had experience installing a recent Linux Distro on it?

I need the following to work:

> wireless
> GPS
> 3G modem
> WebCam
> Keyboard shortcuts (not as important)
> External dongle on Sony proprietary port that has Ethernet and Monitor ports (very important)

Please let me know if you can confirm or deny any of this hardware working on a recent Linux Distro.

Thanks guys!
 
Old 05-13-2009, 11:18 PM   #2
socceroos
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Distribution: Ubuntu, FreeBSD, Fedora
Posts: 125

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 16
Ok, I've done a *lot* of Googling and have discovered that the video chipset (Intel GMA 500) is causing huge problems in the Linux world.

Any laptop with this chipset is almost useless in Linux as Xorg runs very slow using the plain vesa driver.

There has been rumours that the Intel guys are going to start working on the driver and get a fully open source 2D implementation out in the next few months - but I don't see this happening. The GIT repository for the driver hosted at Intel hasn't been changed since the middle of last year.

Very depressing news indeed. I cannot find *anything* that looks as good as the Sony Vaio P series - its beautiful. =(

References:

http://www.happyassassin.net/2009/01...youre-screwed/

http://www.happyassassin.net/2009/03...poulsbo-front/
 
Old 10-18-2009, 06:54 PM   #3
socceroos
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Australia
Distribution: Ubuntu, FreeBSD, Fedora
Posts: 125

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 16
Just an update for those of you still considering this laptop.

Work on the poulsbo driver (graphics driver for Intel GMA 500) has picked up a bit. The latest version of Mandriva (as of writing this post) and Ubuntu include the updated driver. This means that all functionality on this laptop should work out-of-the-box.
 
  


Reply

Tags
hardware, linux, sony, vaio


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Deciding whether to buy a laptop now or wait... blueobsession General 4 07-10-2007 08:12 PM
Sony VAIO Series allgood791 Linux - Laptop and Netbook 1 09-10-2006 02:31 PM
Sony vaio S series - 1280x800 resolution in X mserms Linux - Hardware 1 04-02-2005 05:10 AM
Sony Vaio VGN-B1XP / sony driver question kentri9 Linux - Laptop and Netbook 0 12-27-2004 11:00 AM
help me install linux on sony sony vaio pcg-r505gl heina Linux - Newbie 4 10-10-2004 10:36 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration