Linux Compatible Hardware Manufacturers

Can you guys list and name Linux Compatible Hardware manufacturers? I just wanna see who they are and how many there are, although i might be building myself a desktop soon so i would need this as i'm never installing Windows if i can help it.

 

You should always install some version of Windows since all manufacturers use Windows-based software for updating BIOS. If there are ways to update that don't need Windows, it is good but having some version of Windows gives more options for updating the BIOS.

 

I'm not going to be installing any version of Windows at all, i don't care about BIOS updates.

 

As in?
It really depends, of course some dells would be good, what are you looking at?
We need specs.

 

yeah, its all about ubuntu . anyways, Dell is good, system 76 obviously creates ubuntu laptops.

 

I was just thinking of building my own system, i don't actually have the dough to support it yet. I want to build a base of compatible hardware before i even think about it.

 

Hmm, you want a linux only system.
What task will you be doing?

 

Pretty much all the stuff i do with this one which includes watching anime, browsing the web, computer programming. I'd like a general list though, of all the "good" hardware manufacturers.

 

That would be hard, but I could recommend you some specs?

 

It's just speculation so i wouldn't really know what i'd need.

 

It seems pretty easy, I will recommend some parts for you.

 

Have you looked around at Phoronix? They're always testing motherboard chipsets, graphics cards, etc.
They're not a huge outfit, so there won't be piles of new boards being tested, but it still gives you an idea. They have forums too.

 

I'll check them out.

 

Just a note, almost any hardware works with Linux; what depends is the amount of work it takes to get full functionality. For example, Broadcom wireless does work, but it is extremely unreliable and slow; it is also not very beginner friendly.

- CPUs
Intel (any)
AMD (any)

- WIRELESS
Intel (any)
Atheros (any)
Cisco

I've owned Atheros cards in the past, and I love them. Superior performance and quality; and they work flawlessly with the MadWifi driver. Of all the wireless cards, I would recommend an Atheros. The trouble is that they are hard to come by nowadays. Btw, stay away from Broadcom at all costs. Their cards are cheap, slow, lack connectivity and the manufacturer refuses to release chipset specs to Linux developers.

- GRAPHICS
I can only speak from my personal experience here, but ATI seems to put more effort into drivers for Linux; their Radeon cards work well with the fglrx driver if you want 3D effects. Thats about all I can say on that subject.

I have only ever owned one Nvidia card; it doesn't play very nicely with Linux, but it can work if you have some Linux know-how.

OTHER DEVICES
- Ricoh card readers
- Conexant modem
- Conexant audio

Thats about all I can say for now.

 

I would disagree with the Broadcom part, mine is perfectly fast and reliable, at the same time easy to configure in Ubuntu(at least).
And the fact that he's building a desktop.......

 

Awesome Bog, this is exactly what i wanted to know. Thanks, when you have time could you elaborate on more components? (Also Tom, i have a desktop with wireless so i need to know this stuff)

 

I've gotten my broadcom to work in the past but it also fails with no rhyme or reason. It's like the card physically turns itself off sometimes until you boot into windows and then return back to Linux. Makes no sense.

 

Works perfect for me.
Luck?
Anyway Calvin, I have a few recommendations:
Intel or AMD processor, 2.0GHz, dual core
Intel or nVidia Graphics (allthough ATi is much better then it was, so ATI might be safe)
1 GB to 4 GBs RAM
80 GB SATA HDD, or above
DVD Burner

That will cover you quite nicely, it's fairly vague, but it'll work.

 

Yeah but i wanna know which ones are good. I'm relieved most of my hardware manufacturers make Linux compatible stuff but i wanna know more about HP and other companies such as ones that make USB mice and stuff.

 

Like accessories?
Stay away from MS made stuff, they work, but not everything does.
Not really anything else that matters.
Also stay away from Via stuff.

 

You still don't get dri with with the effects enabled because you STILL have to use the abberation that is xgl. Games flickers, Blender display a black screen and other niceties...
Nvidia is the only way to go if you want to have eye candy and do anything that need direct rendering.


@Calvin, try looking on Phoronix but I'm pretty sure that you don't have to worry about the cpu or the motherboard but about obscures pci add-on cards...

 

Would there be much of a difference in price from buying a Dell desktop with Ubuntu or building my own? I prefer building my own but you never know.

 

If you choose the right parts, building your own isn't a problem. If you get the Dell version, you're guaranteed that the parts are Linux compatible. That's all the difference there really is. If you want to build your own, I'd suggest that as you tend to get better hardware when you do it that way.

 

I'm looking towards getting one of the new thinkpads, but they come with ATI cards. Should I go for an older Thinkpad with an nvidia card or hope that the new ATI card will be compatible?

 

No, the ATI card will work, I haven't experienced any problems, and things aren't as bad as they were.