[Wylug-help] linux and laptops

[Dave Fisher]

On Sun, Oct 09, 2005 at 05:12:58PM +0100, hannah d. wrote:
> 
> Hi All -
> 
> I've been asked to recommend a computer for a friend
> of a friend. I am going to recommend and assist with
> the installation of linux - but he wants a laptop, and
> it has been some time since I looked into this sort of
> thing.
> 
> Are there still issues with linux on certain laptops? 

Yep.

> Or has it all been sorted out in the last few years?

No, but _some_ of it has.  There are still significant problems with
multimedia.  IR controls still tend to be a pain (roll-your-own kernel
drivers), but do-able.

> Are there makes and/or distributions to avoid?

I've had some (Dell desktop) grief with the intel8x0 integrated
sound/graphic chips, which crop up in several laptops.

On the positive side, IBM Thinkpads (which also use these chips) tend to
be play pretty well with Linux (pace video-out). 

You can buy HP laptops with bespoke Ubuntu installed, i.e. Ubuntu is
configured to support the HP hardware.

I've not tried them, but I have compared Ubuntu on different kit with
quite a few distros recently and found its out-of-the-box multimedia
support to be better than most.

> Bonus question:
> He's going to want a scanner and a printer too.

Ubuntu is notably good on these two.

With the exception of Xandros, I'd say Ubuntu was the best bet for
a hassle-free desktop for a Linux beginner.  Enough stuff 'just works'
and the desktop is familiar/simple enough to avoid frightening any
horses.

Dave