Need laptop purchase advice

Ok, so I currently own a Dell Latitude C640, and I'd like to upgrade to a 64 bit system. I'm a student, so I really can't afford much. I'm working on selling the Dell for $400, and so if I manage that, I plan to buy one of these laptops to replace it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101085

What I need to know is, between these two models, which is a better choice to run Ubuntu on, compatibility wise?

 

Aside from speeding up straight number crunching (serious math routines), 64 bit doesn't speed much up for me. So, if you don't really need a new system for some other reason, I would wait. The longer you can hold out, the better system you can get for your money.

As for the two systems, you should stay away from ATI graphics as they have LOUSY linux support. They are in the process of trying to change that, but it may take a year or so. For now, go with NVIDIA. I have a P4 based laptop, so I really can't recommend an Athlon as it will be a power hog (if I have my Intel vs. AMD comparisons right- it's been a while).

I would save up for a pentium M/core duo/core2 duo based machine with intel or nvidia graphics.

Hard to say since you didn't post any intended uses.

If you are set on getting one of the two machines linked to, get the one with nvidia card.

 

The MT32 looks to be better.

Newer kernels or ALSA will help with the sound. Only problem might be wireless.

 

Pretty much what it comes down to is, I'm trying to decide how much more I want to invest in my current machine. It works perfectly for what I use it for, I just thought it might be fun to play around with XEN and such, but I guess what it really comes down to is, do I need a new toy? The only two gripes I have about this laptop is the harddrive is tiny and full of bad blocks, and the battery doesn't hold a charge. I can get a new hard disk for like $70, but with the cost of a new battery, is it really worth it? I DO have a p4 already, but still.

EDIT: hey, this is cool, I found a new battery for only $70! Maybe updating my c640 with a big hard disk and a good battery for $140 IS worth it. I already know I like it and it has great hardware compatablity, so why not?

 

Sounds like a good idea for me. $140 is a lot of savings over a new laptop.

 

ATI/AMD have apparently released a new driver last week that linux hacks are praising

 

They did release a new driver, Insane. However, the user posts over at phoronix seem pretty mixed. I'm running it without any big problems, except for that switching between X server and tty causes the screen to go corrupt and trying to reboot after that locks up the machine. 8.40.4 didn't have that problem for me.

Now that they have release specs without NDA, there might be a good ATI driver, but it won't be here for another year or so, I bet. In the mean time, I still say to go for nvidia. I won't buy ati again until a solid driver is more than a twinkle in some dev's eye.

 

Well, Novell/AMD have only been working on it for a couple of weeks, and they have this already. In a couple of months we should have a 3d version available.