Processor Compatibility
 

Hello everyone, I am considering purchasing a new laptop and have some concerns about processor processor compatibility with linux. What I'm currently trying to decide between are two computers one with and Intel Core i3 4000M and another with an AMD A6 4400M.

If anyone knows anything about which is better for linux or any webpages or resources to help with the decision I'd appreciate it, thanks.

Perhaps this page could help:

http://linuxhcl.com/

What Linux Distribution are you planning to use?

there's also hardware compatability list section one here at linuxquestions.org. Here's a direct link to the processor section:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/index.php/cat/6

You should understand that the processor isn't the problem, also the architecture, AMD or Intel, doesn't matter.

But with (new) laptops problems often occur with very new wireless adapters or very new graphics adapters. Your best bet would be to take a live-CD of a recent Linux-distribution with you when purchasing the machine and ask if you can boot the laptop with the live-CD. Distribution doesn't matter, the kernel-version is important, the newer the kernel, the more hardware is supported.

Markus

Well, I can't boot a live cd in it because I'll be purchasing it online. The two computers I am considering are both HP's and I usually run something Ubuntu/Debian, Fedora, or Sabayon Linux. I am considering making the move to Arch Linux and/or Gentoo once I buy it. I do believe I ran across something in a google search that stated AMD A6 series processors are difficult on linux as well as radeon graphics.

You should find out since when the laptop is available, I would say that if it is available since more than half a year you could be pretty sure that the hardware is supported by Linux. But you don't have any guarantee that there is the same hardware in any laptop of the same type/model (even if the HCL says that Linux will work on the machine).

Radeon is not a problem per se, it can be a problem if the card is very new. For example I purchased my Samsung Laptop (R525) with a Radeon 5470 in December 2010. Problem was that when the screen shaded due to powersaving, the screen blurred in red and blue because the driver did not clear the graphicsmemory correctly (I think). Since late 2012 the problem is solved (which means that the kernelmodule "radeon" supports the card). I tried the AMD-driver (fglrx) but it did not work correctly, sometimes xorg froze.

Lenovo Thinkpad are know to be very good supported by Linux. I have an X100e subnotebook and even the Functionkeys are working. They don't put the most recent hardware into their Laptops.

Markus