linux & the a8jp (ubuntu specifically)

Anyone out there get it to run well, or did you have problems getting drivers to work? My only concern is going to be the x1700, but I've read that there shouldn't be a problem.

 

The ATI cards is the main reason I won't buy that laptop, or any laptop with an ATI card. I am using Linux now on my desktop with an ATI card. The drivers work so long as you don't do anything unusual. If you try you will regret it. By unusual I include dual-head - it's very difficult to get working, and when you do you cannot go beyond 2048 pixels across in large (combined) monitor mode while using 3d effects (Beryl / Compiz). Beryl continues to work with my ATI card so long as I don't upgrade it to 0.2.1.

After trying it with ATI, I might be tempted to go for it but I insist on having two monitors so I'm sticking with Intel or nVidia hardware.

Greg.

 

Well, I don't intend on using it for dual monitors, or even worry about gaming on Linux outside of the cheapie little games that normally come installed. My main thing is to have it to experiment with and play with since I haven't screwed around with linux in a long time.

 

It should work fine for screwing around. There are lots of guides online for installing the ATI drivers and getting the 3d desktop to work. You have nothing to lose, why not try it out?

Greg.

 

I'm running ubuntu64 on my a8jS "S", everything worked. You can just play on the live cd, won't hurt. As for the video driver, I had to install it manually by going to nvidia and downloand and install...., It might be the same for you if you screen resolution doesn't do 1440x900(if thats for a8jP).

 

In latest Ubuntu version there is an option to activate a restricted (propietary) ATI driver, so it might work. On the other hand ATI propietary drivers for linux are very poor in terms of perfomance, and e.g. maybe you can´t use compiz desktop effects.