laptops

[Englander, Irvin]

Personally, I have had (and heard) bad recent personal experiences with both Dell (variable hardware, chosen for lowest cost and differing from machine to machine) and HP (lots of problems getting Linux/Fedora, to be specific, working properly.) The latter has been a particular headache, because I teach Linux to a class of undergrads and every class has had minor nightmares getting past install freeze failures, and getting everything working properly. (Lots of Google searches for workarounds and patches.) So far we've always succeeded but it's been time consuming and annoying.

My best luck in recent years has been with Acer machines. I have three of different types, and all have been reliable. All have run Linux distribs with a minimum of headaches. As for the keyboards, however, I tend towards wireless Logitechs, since they're put together better than the keyboards on the Acer machines, with the exception of the 11" Aspire. But that one takes getting used to. I haven't tested the Logitech on the Linux side of two of the machines because their keyboards were adequate for my needs.

Two of my Acers came from J & R in New York; the profit margin is low, so Microcenter and Best Buy don't carry them most of the time, although they had my 11" Aspire for awhile--haven't checked lately.

Hope this helps a bit.