HP laptop and Linux

[Mr.Panda]

I was looking into getting this laptop, but then I have read this opinion written by someone on http://www.notebookreview.com/ that HP harware makes it pain in the ass to run linux. He mentioned wireless networking and 3D stuff... can't find the exact quote now

link to the laptop i want to get for running linux

http://compusa.shoplocal.com/compusa...pagenumber%3d4

will it run well? should i get it?

[bigtomrodney]

I have used a lot of Compaq Wifi cards, running on one now. All the ones I have used were Atheros based, so no problems there (though chipsets change). ATI drivers are a lot better than they used to be. In fact they are pretty useable. I would always recommend nVidia, but if that's not an option and you have your heart set on it nowadays I wouldn't let an ATI card put you off. All the rest should be pretty standard. Although I haven't got any links to back it up I ran SUSE and a friend of mine ran Ubuntu on nc6xxx notebooks, acpi seemed to work fine.

[jan@kairos]

I have always been a loyal Windows user, but got fed up with my machine slowing down and decided to give SUSE 10.1 a try after receiving it on a DVD in the PC Format magazine.

I installed it on my HP nc6120. What a pleasure, the installation process was as smooth as installing Windows XP and a lot faster. My graphics card, built-in wireless card, bluetooth, ethernet and infrared was detected and installed correctly. I took it to the office and it detected the DHCP settings perfectly and I could carry on working without a hassle.

I never thought that Linux could compete with Windows on the desktop as far as usability is concerned, but have changed my mind. I do think this is a serious compititor for Microsoft.

I do however still need to get the access to my multicard reader sorted out. I am a noobie, so it maybe something stupid that I neglected to do.