Kobalt GS860 and Linux first impressions

My G860 finally arrived this morning so here's a quick review of the hardware and how it goes with Mandriva Linux.

My needs for my laptop after my lovely old Zepto 6625 died were:

1. High res screen. I mainly use my work laptops for writing software, so I wanted 1680 x 1050 or better. Originally I was going to have the G510. but after having handed over my money, five weeks or so later I was told I couldn't have it in the screen res I originally wanted. Kobalt were apparently let down by their suppliers.

2. No Windows licence.

3. An nvidia graphics card.

Dell would have had my business had they done their pretty similar device to this with nvidia rather than ATI.

So, I've ended up with a machine that's way more powerful than I actually need, but better than under powered.

First hardware impressions after taking the machine out of the box are summed up by DrDJ. It is a beast. It's not an attractive machine at all, it's industrial looking, thick and heavy. I have never had to RTFM to find out where the on/off switch is on a computer before!

So, Linux installation DVD goes in and first surprise is that it's found a Windows installation even though I didn't pay for it. Quickly got rid of the virus-ware by reformatting the HDD and off we go. Wow, that is the fastest installation I have ever done, including desktops. Laptop arrived at 8.40am, unpacked by 8.45 and it was up and running, including getting nvidia drivers and wi-fi drivers from the Mandriva repositories by 9.10am.

As an aside, Linux is so incredibly easy to install these days, so much quicker and easier than Windows. Everything worked without any tweaking, including sound, and hot keys. Suspend to RAM works beautifully. So 25 minutes after inserting the DVD you have a fully working system including office suite, PDF reader, email, browser, bit torrent client, ftp client and scores of other essential apps. All without licence, no need for anti-virus crap, no crapware, freeware or unwanted time-limited rubbish and no licence keys to insert. Bliss.

Back to the hardware then:

The screen is lovely: bright, clear and glossy. Plays movies beautifully. The sound is pretty tinny, but I only have sound on with headphones. The keyboard is going to take some getting used to, it's offset to the side as it has a numeric keypad. It's one of this chicklet style I believe and nicer in one respect over the one I have on my Sateliite R630 in that there's good grip on them.

The machine really does fly. Unfortunately, it sounds like it too. It is very noisy indeed. Even when it's not doing much the fan sounds like it's going like the clappers. I think this could get really tiring.

So, in summary, it's a powerful machine that runs very fast, runs programs like Second Life as well as my desktop, the screen is good, the keyboard is quirky, touchpad very good, it's unattractive and industrial looking, heavy and annoyingly noisy. The people complaining on the Tosh forum about whining R705, 700 and 630s should hear this!

Even though it's heavy, it sits well on your lap surprisingly enough.

If I can solve the fan noise this'll be an acceptable machine for me.

 

congratulations on receiving your beast DiBosco