Hello, everyone. Even though this post is about a laptop, since I'm totally new to linux, I just decided to post it here. If it's not appropriate, I hope moderator can move it to other forums.

I'm thinking of purchasing Lenovo u41-70, and wanted to find information whether it does not have any problem with linux. But I couldn't find it anywhere. I've found several sites listing ubuntu-compatible laptops, but u41-70 wasn't there. Does that mean I shouldn't buy Levono u41-70 if I want to install linux on it? Where can I find some experience from a linux user who used this product?

On the other hand, one of my friend said usually graphics/wifi/touchpad causes trouble with the drivers, and he recommended me using nvidia/intel,atheros/synaptic combination since they work the best. Now I searched here and there seems to be some variations of makers(graphic:intel,nvidia, touchpad: synaptic, elan, alps). Is this to be checked directly from whom I buy the product?

Thanks in advance!

Graphics and WiFi are the 2 main issues with Linux. Intel graphics run well on Linux without any proprietary drivers. AMD and nvidia graphics will sometimes run OK without proprietary drivers. Broadcomm powered WiFi can be problematic and require tweaking to work. If you can use one of these (at the store?) bring along a live CD of a Linux distro and boot it...

Hm, I'm not sure if the seller will let me boot the product in Linux even before I buy it. So is there no linux user with Levono u41-70 yet? That doesn't sound promising...

From the link in my previous post, I think the wifi manufacturer varies from product to product so probably I should check it directly from a seller.

Regarding the wifi, check the chip. I doubt if the seller even knows what chip it uses.
That said you can ask for details if you know what does work, try 'h-node' in a search for free software wifi chips.
I hate to say this because amd are usually cheaper but intell graphics cards are generally more compatible. Or anything other than nvidia!
Why wont they let you try a live disk?

Fred.

There are a couple of guys in my LUG who buy only Lenovo laptops for use with Linux, but I can't tell you the model.

According to this review, that box has Nvidia graphics and Intel wireless.

Thanks for your replies; those were very helpful.

I was actually thinking of buying a laptop online; probably I have to buy directly so that I can check all the details. I think the product I'm thinking of has intergrated graphics(intel) so I only have to check the wireless. It should be listed on the box, right? (doubt the seller would care about it...)

About booting in Linux; I would be able to make a bootable usb with linux similar to windows. But what should I do after that to check any driver failures? Sorry for being silly; I haven't used linux and not an expert for computers so I just want to be clear about everything. I heard that the linux kernel just deals with most hardwares so can I just check if the sound is functioning well, wifi is working good, I can see the graphics etc right after the booting from the usb? Or are there some procedures I should manually do?

What if there are some problems; any simple ways to fiddle with it? I'll read all the guides but I'll need a new laptop pretty soon so I need some quick guidelines to handle these things. Or... should I just not buy it but I think that's not a good solution...

I'll first try booting in linux in my old desktop to be familiar with it. Again, many thanks.