Need help on laptop decision
 

Heya guys,
Im going in for an internship at CA, and I need to start learning how to use a *nix based system. Now Id like to get a laptop, preferably cheap, because I dont have all too much money right now. Im planning to install SuSE 10.0 or RedHat because they are used in CA. I also want quite a bit of power and the capability to install more RAM if needed. Wireless is NEEDED, and I also need decent battery life as Id be very mobile. What am I looking at?

Nvidia: easy to configure, seems to consume less power than ati.
Intel wi-fi chipset 2200bg, very good support, and wi-fi sniffing capable.
Amd CPU's are now better than intel.

Any particular models/manufacturers?

I've heard there are some intel based laptops which come with batteries of up to 9 hours (for windows at least). You need to find a laptop which can be tunned down dynamically, eg. the processor underclocked when unplugged, adjustable screen brightness, etc. Some Linux programs like cpuspeed can give you a hand with this.

About the disto, SuSE 9.3 supports battery management right out of the box, while it wasn't that easy in Fedora Core 3.

Heh, Im not all in the laptop scene, ya know? I need general models and manufacurers, Im looking to spend <=1000

Take a look at manufacturer's websites. I know nothing about laptops.

Install reports here:
http://tuxmobil.org/mylaptops.html

Im stuck between IBM, HP, and Dells Latitude line.

IBM is the best but it's expensive. HP seems to be ok. Forget Dell.

HP, what line of processors? AMD, Pentium/Celeron M, P4....

Look for the Centrino's if your going for Intel based. Has the mobile/low power cpu and integrated wireless.

Here's a secret: Most laptops are pretty close within a price range. Get what you can afford

Well besides what Im asking for, wireless and battery power, and does a full install of say SuSE, Gentoo, or RedHat require alot of processing power to run and multitask? And what features should I be looking for?

I have a 3 year old toshiba satellite laptop, my battery lasts about 2 hours when running windows xp in save power mode, a little less when running Fedora Core 3 and about 1:40 hours when running SuSE 9.3

It's possible to adjust the CPU frequency on the fly. It saves power.

if you are looking at a HP laptops, id recommend the dv1000 series. I got a dv1420us. It has a Centrino Processor ( 1.6 MHz ), 512 RAM ( upgradeable), 100 GB, DVD burner, decent enough graphics card, has wireless, and LAN. Battery life roughly 2 hours 30 mins. It is a wide screen laptop. However, if you want a decent HP you have to shell out roughly 1000 - 1500. Unless you buy a second hand one or if you are not looking for potability ( meaning you dont care about the weight of the laptop). I wish you luck finding a decent laptop for less than 1000.

However, when i tried installing SuSe on to the laptop, I had some difficulties getting the wireless, and lan to work. You may have better luck.

I've read in aother thread that wireless support isn't in a very mature stage yet. Did you get it to work?