Linux and Laptops? Is it possible

way2muchphun · 09-06-2007, 11:46 PM

I am brand new to Linux and was just wondering if Linux is compatible with laptops or is it mainly just a desktop OS? I'm trying to load it onto my laptop just to screw around with it and learn the basics and I'm not sure if I should start out on a laptop or a desktop????? Help please!

macemoneta · 09-06-2007, 11:56 PM

Pretty funny post.

Linux is now 16 years old; yes it runs on laptops. Check Linux on Laptops for installation reports, tips and tweaks for your specific model.

AwesomeMachine · 09-07-2007, 12:37 AM

It would help if you gave us the manufacturer and model of your laptop. I'll try to remember to come back and look.

salasi · 09-07-2007, 02:30 AM

I use Linux on a laptop myself and have done for some years, so yes, it is possible. However some of the bits and pieces on laptops do present particular difficulties that can usually be overcome, but with some effort. So it isn't necessarily the case that things like wireless will set up without any effort on your part.

In general, desktops are easier, so unless you either have a good reason to do it, or you like messing about with computers (learning stuff!), desktops can be a better to start.

jacook · 09-07-2007, 02:40 AM

Sure it is try these Links

http://www.linux-laptop.net/
http://www.tuxmobil.org/

cheers,

Jake

pixellany · 09-07-2007, 02:44 AM

There are several specialty vendors selling Linux Laptops--e.g. Emperor. Also, Dell sells some laptops with Linux pre-installed, as does Lenovo (nee IBM thinkpad).
If you install a random Linux version on your own laptop, there can be issues. But there are also a lot of solutions out there.

Echoing previous inputs---all things equal, a desktop setup will be less of a hassle.

linuxpokernut · 09-07-2007, 10:05 AM

if i were you, i would try and load a live version of linux such as knoppix or slax. if they load up and everything works it is an indication that you should have no problems installing linux.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html
http://www.slax.org/download.php

way2muchphun · 09-08-2007, 01:35 PM

I have Red Hat Linux 7.0 but the laptop won't load from the disk drive. The laptop I'm trying to load up is an Itronix tough book. It's a pentium 4 and I'm tired of running Windows XP on it. I checked out the website's recommended but non of them had Itronix laptop help? I'm still looking though. If anybody has any experience with it, I would deffinitally love the input.

macemoneta · 09-08-2007, 02:48 PM

Red Hat Linux 7.0 is a very ancient version of Linux (7 years old, this month). Perhaps you could try something more recent, like Ubuntu 7.04 or Fedora 7?

How much memory is in that unit? What is the size of the disk drive?

handydan · 09-08-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxpokernut

if i were you, i would try and load a live version of linux such as knoppix or slax. if they load up and everything works it is an indication that you should have no problems installing linux.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html
http://www.slax.org/download.php

The real beauty of live CDs is that there are so many to chose from. Hardware detection varies widely so I wouldn't give up just because one or two distros din't work out on your hardware.
I have been using MEPIS (a Debian flavor) on my lappy for a couple of years, now. The only issues I had were the touchpad required some configuration, and that #&*@*& broadcom 4318 card. A little help on the forums, and it has been up and running without a hitch for many moons. Faster than windows, too.

download MEPIS

way2muchphun · 09-17-2007, 10:29 AM

Thanks for all the recomendations. I am in school full time so it takes me a while to get back to these posts sometimes. I will try to load Fedora 7 and the other one. Hopefully one of them takes. The hard-drive is a 40G and the memory is 512 I think. I can't see it being any more than that. It's kind of an older laptop so I was just kinda goofing around with it.

Larry Webb · 09-17-2007, 10:57 AM

My older dell cpx runs Mepis, the only problem is on battery power it is slow, but of course the other OS is too. They use that speed stepping to prolong battery life and it slows everything down.