Looking to buy a new laptop

[ImNeat]

I am looking to purchase a new laptop but don't even know where to start. I'm willing to spend up to around $1,000 but definitely the least expensive the better. I don't care for all the 'bells and whistles,' and I would like for it to have features that can be used by Ubuntu and the like. It'll be mainly used for graduate-level schoolwork and perhaps the occasional world of warcraft binge.

If anyone has any recommendations or any ideas that could help me get a start on this process I would greatly appreciate it!!

[bigtomrodney]

I just bought a laptop from Dell for €900 (which although in real life is about $1100 tech stuff is usually 1:1). I can tell you I'm really happy with it. Really. Everything is 100% linux compatible (except I haven't tested the memory card reader because I don't have that type :o )

I think you can buy it as an Ubuntu laptop in the USA but I just configured an Inspiron 6400. Specs

• Core 2 Duo 1.66GHz
• 1GB of RAM ( I since upgraded to 2GB via eBay)
• 60GB HDD (Same, I now have a 160GB
• Intel 3945 WiFi
• 15.4" 1280x800 screen
• 8x DVD Dual layer writer
• Intel 945GMA Graphics
• 9 Cell Battery
• Bluetooth 2.0

Looking at it some might say it's not well spec'd.

It's like this though. My old laptop was an Inspiron 8500 2.4GHz P4m with an nVidia GeForce and a 1920x1200 screen. That was all great at the time but

• It was too hot
• The screen DPI was actually probably too small
• Battery life wasn't great

So this time I said I'd do it right. I have a desktop so I'd want a midrange laptop that would have as much 'just works' hardware. And that's what I got. A great laptop that just works. Battery life approaches and often reaches 5 hours, it never gets hotter than 50 degrees C and usually is >40. It suspends perfectly and wakes quickly. It runs Compiz flawlessly and I get the same framerates I get with my nVidia 6200 on my desktop.

It is really a great machine. And even though it's 1.66GHz it runs really fast. Hotter chips will be stifled with heat anyway (trust me) so go for the colder option and save some battery.

[ImNeat]

Yea I've been looking at Dell Inspirons and that's what I'll most likely end up with.

I'm pretty disappointed though because I've gone through and customized a few Linux Inspirons and a Vista Inspirons, and the Vista ones always end up with better hardware and cheaper prices! Dell offers numerous deals like free 2GB RAM upgrade and free 160GB HDD upgrade which don't seem to apply to the Linux ones.

Linux Dells
Windows Dells

I love the idea of purchasing a Linux laptop to support the cause, but it's pretty ridiculous that a laptop with a free OS costs more money and comes with less powerful hardware than one with an expensive OS.

[bigtomrodney]

Those Vista machines seem to have AMD processors. I'm a big AMD fan but I wouldn't buy the current generation over Intel. At the moment if you can get one get a Core 2 Duo. The smaller architecture keeps heat and power consumption down

[Farmer Mike]

I think Dell just applied the free upgrades to the Linux machines too.

I just picked up the 3/2007 edition of Linux+DVD magazine and they review laptops. The Dell may still be your best bet.

[gruven]

I have an HP DV2000t laptop, and everything but the modem is supported in linux. I haven't had any problems with it so far. There is also a lot of people who have documented their progress with this laptop online, including me.

http://gruven.googlepages.com

[likwid]

Lenovo T60 is completely Linux compatible. Uses ipw3945 for wireless, e1000 for wired i think... intel video core 2 duo 1.86 i think i am on right now? too lazy to check...

Also has a fingerprint reader that works in Linux for authentication.

[ImNeat]

Also has a fingerprint reader that works in Linux for authentication.

Wow that's great to hear. A large worry I have is that all the built in gadgets laptops come with these days (e.g. Web cam, fingerprint reader) will be currently-incompatible with Linux.

[likwid]

If I was going to buy a laptop for Linux I wouldn't go with anything but Lenovo. The T60 is especially awesome.

[likwid]

Durr lol I Just repeated myself basically, but yea, the fingerprint reader works with thinkfinger. Integrates with pam pretty well. IDK about webcams, I don't use them.