Help finding a laptop that actually works?

Hi guys,

I'm a long time Linux user. However, I have always used it on desktops, where I can make sure the hardware is all 100% compatible. I now need to buy a laptop. I have been researching for months, to find that virtually all laptops have some problem, such as broken wifi, hibernation, graphics and so on.

Performance isn't really important for me. Anything like an Intel SU7300 and above would be fine. My key priorities are size (11-14"), battery life and having everything actually working out of the box.

Any recommendations?

Cheers!

 

you can customize the vostro v13, the latitude 13 at dell with ubuntu on it. the vostro 3500, studio 15 or dell precision m6400 might work
you could also check out system 76
- system76, Inc.

here's a thread to look at also:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/linux-compatibility-software/446858-coolest-linux-laptop-ever-3.html

 

I would stay away from ati video chipsets, they are more of an aggravation trying to get drivers working.

 

Dell laptops have been good for running Linux even if they don't advertise it. I have several Dell laptops that easily run Linux including the Vostro V13.

 

Nowadays the open-source ati driver works pretty well. Number two between Intel (works best) and NVIDIA (worst).

The OP wants an older Thinkpad. The newest hardware always has some bugs to iron out, but something like last year's model has solid support. Plus cash saved if you don't need the speed.

 

oh really? the last time i messed with ati drivers i had to give up. that was about a year ago though.

 

I would disagree with the Intel vs. Nvidia thing. If you don't mind loading Nvidia's closed source binary driver, Nvidia gpu's work much better than Intels in linux.

 

Agreed.

My Dell Latitude E6410 works quite well with Linux. The only drivers which I needed to install was as Dillio187 said, the nVidia Linux package. I haven't tested out how well it handles driving dual monitors yet, but everything else seems fine.

Apart from that, no driver installs were necessary with Linux Mint. Apparently the same laptop with the Intel graphics is a bit of a handful, though.

 

I have an ASUS U20A-B1 that has a SU7300, everything works perfectly. Took some good patching to get the touchpad working, but it's a great system. Unfortunately it's discontinued, but the UL20A is basically the same without DVD, bluetooth, HDMI, and a backlit keyboard. For prebuilt systems look to - system76, Inc. or ZaReason, Inc. :: Laptops, Desktops, Servers, and Peripherals Designed for Ubuntu Linux

My only general advice is beware of which graphics driver you will choose, and stay well clear of broadcom wireless that uses the proprietary broadcom STA driver, since it can lock your machine up proper.

 

yes....get nvidia gpu, and intel wireless card to be safe...my Vostro 1220 12 incher has been a great linux machine...it has an intel 5300 wireless and Intel GPU x4500 (ok, but prefer Nvidia)

 

In my experience, Nvidia was the worst, with Intel and ATI being better....just my experience.

 

really Thomas? wow, I've never had an Nvidia problem with the closed source drivers....how so?

 

Just more of a hassle really, ATI and Intel have many chips that work out of the box on modern distributions.

 

In the windows world, I used to be a big fan of ATI.....when I started using linux, Nvidia came into favor. I installed Sabayon 3.4 nearly 3 years ago on an Acer Ferrari laptop with an ATI x700 card and it worked great OTB...

 

My experience with Intel vs Nvidia also points to Nvidia being better than Intel. Ofcouse, I only try the proprietary driver. I had to deal with ATI a few years back (~2005) but it was known that they're bad at the time.

 

No issues with Intel integrated cars on either of my laptops on Ubuntu...why is there a discussion of ATI and Nvidia when the OP does not really care too much about performance - but does care about battery life?

My machines don't give me issues with Ubuntu: Lenovo T61 (c2d, integrated graphics), Sony Vaio W (intel atom, integrated graphics). Admittedly, the latter seems to be too weak for OPs requirements (although I don't know - what are the exact productivity requirements? Netbooks are much better when running Linux, as opposed to Windows).

 

ATI and Nvidia do make integrated chips with good battery life and good enough performance(I have one in fact).

I've never had Intel anything(minus a Pentium III Dell that I got as a hammydown as a kid lol) so my X41 Tablet is pretty new to me. OVerall, it's great, Intel graphics work out of the box on linux(this is an older model though, but should work for all of the models if I remember).

 

my advice is to compile a live USB of ubuntu or whatever distro you use.

Then go into a best buy or a staples... (staples usually has fewer employees bugging you about stuff) and best buy will get all bent out of shape if they care/see you putting thumb drives in their computers.

Go find the computers you want. Reset the floor model and boot into the bios. (they never secure the bios in floor models)

change the boot order to USB.. and reboot with your live usb in the system.

Ubutnu comes with a system tester application.. but if you're good you should be able to test the wifi, keyboard, sound etc. quickly and easily without it.

Once finished you can be nice and set the bios back to default, or just leave it as they'll never notice it anyway.



should you get hassled, just explain to them that you're a linux user and will not purchase a system unless you're sure it'll run your operating system of choice. (some sales folk are more understanding than others) If they have a problem with that take your usb and walk away.