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Please help me find a Linux laptop

By Bryan - Posted on 30 December 2007

It's that time of year again, I need to purchase a new laptop. Instead of relying on the search engines to find reviews, I've found in the past that people that visit my site are probably the only experts I really need to take advice from. You guys are absolute tech geniuses!

This time around, all I need is a laptop with Linux in the $500-$1000 (USD) range. I likely will dual-boot the laptop with Windows, but it is Linux compatibility I'm most concerned about. My choice in Linux distribution is Ubuntu or Redhat/Fedora Core. So if you've recently bought a laptop that is close to these specifications, how well does it run Linux? Would you recommend that I buy a similar laptop for my next purchase?

Any advice, tips, or reviews is appreciated!

Comments

#1 Linux laptop impractical

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 31, 2007 - 12:07pm.
I would not recommend a Linux laptop for anyone. I've never heard of anyone not having problems with Linux on a laptop. Try a MacBook instead.

#2 Linux is all I need

Bryan's picture
Submitted by Bryan on December 31, 2007 - 5:07pm.
I don't want this to turn into a Windows vs Mac vs Linux debate...I use all three. What I want though is a laptop that is known to work well with Linux. Surly, someone can recommend a good laptop for Linux to me?

#3 I hope so,

us421@drupal.org's picture
Submitted by us421@drupal.org on January 1, 2008 - 2:24pm.
I am watching too! Like you, I am specificly looking for Linux.

#4 Dell Inspiron 1420N

Bryan's picture
Submitted by Bryan on January 1, 2008 - 4:06pm.

I've been looking at the Dell Inspiron 1420N, but it's a little pricier than I had hoped.  Ars Technica gives it a good review.  Oddly some of the 1420's with Windows Vista is cheaper, so I'm wondering if I would be better off getting a system with Vista and take care of the Linux install myself.

Still, I'd like to hear from others on their choices for hardware and Linux distribution...

 

#5 Three Days of Misery

Bryan's picture
Submitted by Bryan on January 5, 2008 - 12:37pm.

While I'm not poor, I am cheap. Instead of forking over $1000 for a new laptop, I decided to install Linux on my old laptop (Averatec 3220). I tried multiple Linux distributions and had multiple problems (graphics...but espcially LAN and WLAN). After three days of obsession and missery, I'm finally using Linux on a laptop!

I'll write a post, but let's say I understand why Linux is behind Windows and the Mac when it comes to market penetration. What a mess...

 

#6 Linux laptop update

Bryan's picture
Submitted by Bryan on January 16, 2008 - 4:42pm.
Update to my saga of looking for a Linux laptop: http://cmsreport.com/node/1529
Bryan's picture

About this CMS Enthusiast

Bryan Ruby is the owner and editor for CMS Report. He founded CMSReport.com in 2006 on the belief that information technologists, website owners, and web developers desired visiting sites where they could learn about content management systems without the sales pitch.

Outside of his late night blogging hours, he is the Information Technology Officer for a field office in the federal government. Away from the computer he enjoys his family, bicycling, camping, and the outdoors.