NP8130 Ubuntu Question

Hey NBR,
Just ordered my NP8130. I was originally going to order a Dell XPS 15 and run Ubuntu with a Windows VM. I've scoured threads on NBR and I'm still a bit scrambled on the idea of running Ubuntu on the NP8130.

Does anyone have any problems with running Ubuntu on their laptop? Is it better to just stick to Windows 7?

 

You may find this thread useful:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...6-sager-np8150-clevo-p150hm-linux-thread.html

As it us, Ubuntu runs just fine on my P150HM. Though because I tend to run a lot of Windows centric apps, I prefer using Ubuntu in a VM most of the time unless I absolutely need to natively boot into it.

Nvidia cards also seem to work better under linux, but it seems you've got that covered anyway. What particular questions did you have about it? Installing on the P150HM I used was straightfoward, no tweaks needed out of the box to get it up and running.

 

I vaguely remember reading something about compatibility issues with drivers on the P150HM with Ubuntu, it might not even be true.

The reason I'm switching is because I'm a Computer Engineering major and I feel like it would be good for me to get acquainted with Linux.
I know it is largely a matter of preference, but is it better to run Ubuntu and a Windows VM, Windows and an Ubuntu VM or dual boot?
I apologize if its a stupid question =\

Aside from that, I'll read that thread you posted. I couldn't find it while searching, I guess the NBR search function is down or something.

 

I think you may have been thinking of the W150HRM, which is optimus enabled. Optimus isn't officially supported under linux (though there are third party solutions).

It depends what you want to do with it. If you run Windows apps mostly, and are most familiar with Windows, you may want to stick with Windows and run a VM with Ubuntu (or whatever you want). WINE under linux works ok, but it's not perfect.

Dual boot is nice if you don't mind rebooting to switch OS's, but if you want to run both the P150HM has no problem running multiple VM's. Not to mention with a VM you can create a snapshot once you get it set up, so if you break it it's as easy as reverting back to your snapshot. That's the best way to learn, just in case you have a "whoops!" moment and can't fix it.

Search on NBR is always a bit flaky. Your best bet is using google for "Notebookreview, P150HM, linux" or whatever terms you want.

EDIT: Also, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could compile your own linux kernel. (for example, with the Gentoo minimal install)

 

I ended up running Windows 7 with Ubuntu desktop and server VMs. With an SSD, it's bloody fast and probably faster than the latest Ubuntu. You also don't have to worry about drivers.

 

If you really want to learn more about computers, you have to get only Linux. The problem with dual boot or VM is that each time you have a problem you will find it easy to switch to Windows instead of keep trying and reach what you are looking for under Linux. This is my own experience, the day I said good bye definitively to Windows, I started to find a solution for almost all my computer problems, and I found my self much stronger in understanding computer stuff. two words about Linux, it's AMAZING but it needs WILL.

 

Are you a Gentoo fan then?

 

I'm Linux fan, the basic of the various distributions is almost the same. I'm currently use Ubuntu because my wife like it

 

I was referring to you saying that you liked knowing a lot about your computer so I assumed you were a Gentoo user. Ubuntu is nice too though!

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Arch_Compared_to_Other_Distributions

 

Thank you for the link, I'll get Gentoo a try. After I get my wife's permission of course (who sometimes takes a look at this forum and definitely will like what I'm writing now)

 

You definitely should, but the link was for Arch. It does explain a lot about the different kinds of Linux distros though. Good luck on your install though! I know if you get things up and running you'll be even more knowledgeable.