Acer Aspire E-15 15.6 E5-521-24PQ Linux compatible?
Linux newbie:
Severely disabled mostly bedridden need to find a compatible laptop for Linux.
My question:
Is the Acer Aspire E-15 15.6 E5-521-24PQ
Part Number: NX.MLFAA.024 Linux compatible?

http://www.acer.com/datasheets/2015/...MLFAA.024.html


Above link to specifications sheet


Have found a brand-new one of the above for $299.
If it is compatible I would like to know ASAP so that I can purchase it before somebody else does.
Preferred distros would be Ubuntu or Mint.
If a particular desktop matters that information would be appreciated.

Any help or suggestions in finding a compatible laptop for about $300 or less would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help,

Iceberg 69

Hey Iceberg - I took a look at the specs and, in my opinion, you should have no problem installing and running linux on that machine. Furthermore, I currently run linux on another Acer Aspire model and have done so on others in the past. The only thing you may have to do that is specific to the included hardware is use specific drivers / firmware for the Radeon graphics chipset. This may even have been added to more recent kernels, though, so it's a "worst-case" scenario and no big deal anyway.

Last comment - these days, for $300, you should have no trouble finding an appropriate laptop for your needs. Acer is often a good price/quality bet, but other manufacturers often have models available in that price range. Unless you're looking for something really specific, the hardware has become somewhat of a commodity.

Cheers - let us know how it goes !

1 members found this post helpful.

Iceberg 69,

Welcome to LQ.

I guess your proposed Acer machine is like this with a slow, underpowered AMD E2-6110 CPU rated at just 1892? This CPU would put me off for a start.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-Aspir...-/222097195517

I know it is probably the last one in the shop and you feel that you must grab it before somebody else does, but please have a look at the links below first.

I am not saying that this Acer will not work in Linux. I just suspect that it could involve more work than you wish to undertake.

An alternative machine, not necessarily new, but still within your budget may well give you fewer problems with Linux and have a much faster CPU.

I have no idea what the wifi card is on this model.

Please don’t think that I am pouring cold water on your plans to buy this Acer laptop.

I just want you to be aware of the possible pitfalls beforehand.

Anyway, here are some links for you to study:

https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2270682

http://community.acer.com/t5/E-F-and...de/td-p/396225

https://uk.answers.acer.com/app/answ...849.1484203447

Rikkkk seems to think that this is a reasonable machine, but like him, I would be wary of Radeon graphics:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RadeonDriver

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/03/u...x-driver-16-04

Please come back and ask further questions before parting with your cash.

1 members found this post helpful.

... just to reassure concerning the Wifi - any adapter (like this one) based on the Atheros chipset has excellent linux support.

Cheers ;-)

1 members found this post helpful.

Rikkk,

Good man!

1 members found this post helpful.

Iceberg 69,

As an alternative to the Acer, have a look at these Dell E6320s for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Latitud...kAAOSwmLlX~X19

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Latitud...oAAOSwFdtX1qsH

The Intel i5-2520m is rated at 3558 which is a decent speed.

Even though the E6320 probably has Broadcom wifi, a dose of antiX-16.1 will soon put things right since antiX-16.1 automatically recognises and enables most Broadcom wifi cards.

http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

Downloads (use the 64 bit full iso):
http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?tit...Page#Downloads

antiX-16 FAQs:
http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/...FAQ/index.html


To enable wifi in antiX 16.1 AFTER installation:

Menu > Control Centre > Network > Network Interfaces (ceni) > wlan0 > follow wizard and give SSID/network name and wifi password.

1 members found this post helpful.

Just wanted to say thank you to everybody who responded to my question. I got a lot of good ideas, a lot of good suggestion. I think the best suggestion is the one that suggests I do a little more homework and give a little more consideration to exactly which computer to buy.
Exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

Thank you all for your kind help,
Iceberg 69

P.S.
Anybody feel free to answer but this question is kind of directed at Beachboy regarding his recommendation of the Dell E6320. You were right about finding some great prices on Dell at eBay. The E6320 is unfortunately only a 13 inch laptop. The first laptop I bought was a 14 inch and I was so unhappy with the size I immediately went out and bought a 15 inch. The question is; will the Linux compatibility of the E6320 also apply to the Dell Latitude E5530. It likewise has the integrated Intel graphics and has the Broadcom Wi-Fi. CPU is a Core i-5 3320, comes with 4 gigs of RAM expandable to 8, 500 gig HDD, 1366 x 768 graphics resolution.
As far as I can tell it's specs are essentially the same as the E6320 except that it is a 15 inch, has an optical drive and more USB ports.
I found what appears to be a very nice one on eBay for $239 with the extended battery, AC adapter, install disk, carry bag, looks like a really nice machine and I was just curious about the Linux compatibility. There are other less expensive ones but they're trashed, or up for bid and I would just as soon spend a few extra bucks and not short myself by going cheap.
On the topic of compatibility I was wondering about dual booting Mint and Ubuntu, as I'm not really sure which one I prefer. I haven't had enough time to use either one long enough to make up my mind.

As always thanks for the help,
Iceberg 69

Iceberg 69,

That Dell Latitude E5530 sounds like a good deal.

It is very similar to the E6320 apart from the different screen size.

The CPU is rated at 4044 which is very good.

I guess it will come with Windows 64 bit preinstalled?

Personally I would go for Linux Mint 18.1 MATE 64 bit (or Xfce) instead of Cinnamon which can cause graphics problems occasionally.

The reason I mentioned antiX-16.1 is that it will automatically recognise the Broadcom card.

However, once you have done the Linux installation using an ethernet cable, you can then concentrate on fixing the wifi.

You will find this Broadcom "sticky" from frankbell essential reading:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ux-4175434970/

Good luck with your purchase!

1 members found this post helpful.

Iceberg 69,

The seller looks to be first class with very positive feedback.

I suspect that his 3 remaining Dell E5530s will be sold shortly.

Do keep us informed of your progress after purchase.

1 members found this post helpful.

Hi,

I am running Linux Mint 17.3 Xfce 64bit (dualboot with WinX) on an Acer Aspire E15 E5-571G-50PE without any problems, but I had quite some trouble to make UEFI detect grub...

Kindly,

Eulalia

2 members found this post helpful.