laptop recommendations

[dhml at comcast.net (David Hummel)]

On Wed, Nov 02, 2005 at 03:37:59PM -0400, Jerry Feldman wrote:
> 
> In any case, make sure that the laptop is Linux compatible. I don't
> see that listed on Linux for laptops.

The newest models usually aren't, but there is certainly precedent for
considering an ASUS laptop:

  http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/asus.html

> I was just looking at the HP notebooks that Linux is certified on, and
> a number of them are certified by Red Hat and SuSE, mostly HP/Compaq N
> series (eg. nx8220). 

These certifications usually only apply to some enterprise Linux (which
may even include specialized drivers for specific models).  This doesn't
help you if you want to install Debian, Gentoo, Slackware, or whatever.

Also, "Linux compatible" doesn't really mean anything.  Even the
machines sold by:

  http://emperorlinux.com/
  http://linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html

are unfortunately not 100% Linux compatible (those dang winmodems).

You basically have to obtain detailed tech specs (chipsets, etc.) and
determine if a particular model has the kind of support you need for
each component.  For instance, if wireless is your thing, then you
probably want a machine that has an Intel 2200 or 2915 adapter, etc.

> One thing I can say is that both IBM and HP have a Linux commitment,
> but neither Dell nor Gateway do. 

Regardless of what "commitment" means, there is certainly Linux support
for Dell:

  http://linux.dell.com/

-David