Linux Laptop concerns
 

I'm thinking of buying a new laptop from Dell. They offer Ubuntu Linux as an option OS. My home network is with AT&T, I called AT&T and asked if they supported Lunix. They don't because their not trained to support Unix/Linux. My question is; what should I do concerned with (drivers, hardware, etc) I would it to be fully functional CD burner, wireless network, flash player, etc.

Here are the specs on the laptop I'm considering:


The Components
Intel®Atom®Processor Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)

Ubuntu Linux version 8.04.1

40GB PATA Hard Drive (4200 RPM)
48WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell)
Base LCD Assembly

12.1" widescreen TrueLife® Display (1280x800)
Intel®Graphics Media Accelerator 500
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (onboard)
Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
Bluetooth 2.1 module via USB I/F with EDR
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
Base LCD Assembly in BlackCompatibility Alert

edentonjr@att.net

If it comes with Ubuntu installed, chances are it ALL Works, right out of the box. And AT&T doesn't enter into it...it's just another computer. It gets an IP address, uses the same protocols, etc., and since you get computer support through Dell, why would AT&T ever need to know about your OS?

edentonjr:

----"My home network is with AT&T, I called AT&T and asked if they supported Lunix. They don't because their not trained to support Unix/Linux. My question is; what should I do concerned with (drivers, hardware, etc) I would it to be fully functional CD burner, wireless network, flash player, etc."-----

:) AT&T provides internet connection; any pc that has tcp stack regardless of OS label can log into the net. What an irony is it: Unix was born in AT&T thru BellLabs, and now, "They don't because their (they're) not trained to support Unix?"!!! I don't believe the one on the other end of the phoneline spoke in "behalf" of the entire at&t.

Anyway, Dell surely won't deliver you a netbook that doesn't run Linux. I see no problem running Linux preinstalled.

hope this helps.

goodluck

I always just throw a broadband router on the Internet connection then I can throw any PC on the Internet I want with no fuss..

You should not have to install software on your PC to connect to a broadband internet connection.

Only requirement, is that your Broadband modem needs to have a Ethernet port NOT just a USB connection.


If you order the Dell laptop with Ubuntu Everything on the laptop should just work. DVD, Burner, Wireless, etc..

I'm thinking of buying a new laptop from Dell. They offer Ubuntu Linux as an option os OS. My home network is with AT&T, I called AT&T and asked if they supported Lunix. They don't because their not trained to support Unix/Linux. My question is; what should I be concerned with (drivers, hardware, etc) I would it to be fully functional CD burner, wireless network, flash player, etc.

Here are the specs on the laptop I'm considering:


The Components
Intel®Atom®Processor Z520 (1.33GHz/533MHz FSB/512K Cache)

Ubuntu Linux version 8.04.1

40GB PATA Hard Drive (4200 RPM)
48WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (6-cell)
Base LCD Assembly

12.1" widescreen TrueLife® Display (1280x800)
Intel®Graphics Media Accelerator 500
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (onboard)
Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
Bluetooth 2.1 module via USB I/F with EDR
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
Base LCD Assembly in BlackCompatibility Alert

edentonjr@att.net[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]

Uhh...sorry, why did you repost the same question????

The Dell should work OK since it's pre-installed. You might check out some other vendors that also offer "Linux" laptops. Linux.org has some sites listed; (linuxcertified, system76 and others.) Having worked for the US Gov and having to buy / use Dells I just wonder about support if you need it; Dell was real spotty in this area.

I am currently using Linux Mint Elyssa (LTS - long term support) and it has worked fine with an Acer 3100 series (home) and an HP 6910p (work).

I deal with Windows machines all day at work and definitely prefer Linux. They are very few times I have to boot into Windows to get done what I need to do.

Atom Processor.. I didn't know they were using that CPU in anything other than the netbooks.. Interesting.

That is not going to be a screaming fast notebook.. I hope you realize that.

I recently purchased a Dell Studio 1737 laptop with MS Vista installed. I configured dual boot with the existing Vista OS and Fedora 10. Other than the wireless, it worked just great with Fedora 10. The wireless required a source download (wl) from the manufacturer, and compile, and off I went!

System 76
 

I have had very good luck with my System 76 Gazelle Ultra (Jan 09). The support is excellent, by email, the Ubuntu Forums, and there is a pretty good infrastructure set up for updates, resetting the system, and so on.

Thanks for all your help, everyone. I'm going to go for it.

At some point I'd have to enter my network key since my network is secure.
Has anyone configured Ubuntu, and may have instructions?

These days pretty much everything is there for you. You will probably have a Network Manager applet in your taskbar that you can use to configure your network.

I typically replace network-manager with wicd.. I like the interface much better for managing network connections. also network-manager does not work with the wireless in my netbook, wicd does. .