The Dell is likely to come with a 32-bit install (64-bit has been
difficult at best for plugins etc) - but, it's in the price range
you're looking at, and throws some weight behind the "customers want
Linux" which is why I ordered the first one they put out last year.
(I got the 1505N) - plus all the hardware just WORKS.

If you're going to put Linux on there anyway, might as well have it
come that way.

Keith

On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM, Troy <troythetechguy at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm not sure if a mini/netbook is an option, but the guys over at Linux
> Action Show (about 34 minutes) claim the HP Mini works great with Ubuntu.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Troy
>
> On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 2:36 PM, Mike Miller <mbmiller at taxa.epi.umn.edu>
> wrote:
>>
>> It seems that there are many nice laptop computers in the below-$600
>> range.  I would like to buy one, remove the ugly Vista (if necessary) and
>> install Ubuntu. I expect that there will be some tricks to getting things
>> to work under Ubuntu, but some laptops are probably better than others.
>>
>> So my question is this: Which new laptops are best for Ubuntu?  Have any
>> of you tried the Dell laptops with pre-installed Ubuntu?
>>
>> This machine looks nice...
>>
>> http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0295188
>>
>> ...but I don't see any info here...
>>
>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestingTeam/Gateway
>>
>> ...so I don't know it it will be tricky to install Ubuntu on it.
>>
>> Dell has Ubuntu 8.04 laptops, and after appropriate customizations, the
>> price is pretty close to that of the Gateway above.  Here's the Dell:
>>
>>
>> http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwpl1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=segtopic~linux_3x
>>
>> Adding these options...
>>
>> Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)  $50
>>   (I think the T7250 has Intel's "Virtualization Technology" added -- is
>>    that worth $100?)
>> 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz  $50
>>
>> ...brings the price up to $639 (after $15 in "instant savings"), but I'm
>> guessing I can add the 1 GB of RAM myself for less than $50 because
>> Crucial seems to sell 2GB for $22:
>>
>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%201525
>>
>> The system appears to be 64-bit, so I am assuming they will install the
>> 64-bit version of Ubuntu 8.04.
>>
>> So maybe Dell's Inspiron 1525N with preinstalled Ubuntu 8.04 is the way to
>> go right now.  Getting something that just works would be a huge pleasure.
>>
>> Mike
>>
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>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
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>
>
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>