Re: [TCLUG:22137] Linux laptop questions

[Dave Sherman <dcsherman@uswest.net>]

Mark,

Speaking for myself, I run a dual-boot IBM ThinkPad 1400 series, and the
COL 2.4 install went without a hitch. I am very new to Linux, and it was
something of a relief to have such an easy install. I did consult the
Linux for Laptops website:
	http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/linux-laptop/
which had several links to ThinkPad-related installation help. I highly
recommend checking there just to see what sorts of issues people have
had when installing on their various laptops. If you decide to buy a
pre-installed laptop, then of course it may not be an issue -- unless
you decide to make any changes or update your system :-)

Anyway, good luck. With your stated experience, I think you should have
no trouble at all.

Dave

Mark Phillips wrote:
> A couple of related questions:
> 
>    1. If I got a Dell Inspiron 7500 preloaded with Windows (and with,
>       say, a 20GB hard drive), and then tried to install Linux on it
>       myself, can anyone tell me what kind of experience I'd be in
>       for?  I've installed Linux on a lot of desktops and servers but
>       never any laptops, so I'm OK with putzing with it a bit, but if
>       it'll take me a week to get X up and running, for example, then
>       I'd rather pay someone else to do it.  Also, I don't want to
>       have to spend a lot of time in advance checking and
>       double-checking the specs to make sure that all the hardware
>       will work with Linux.
> 
>    2. Does anyone have any experience with support from some of the
>       other Linux laptop companies, such as ASL or Tuxtops?  Are
>       they dependable?  Can I be confident that they'll still be around
>       to service the thing if it develops problems in a couple of years?
> 
> I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts about any of these things.  Thanks!
> 
> --Mark
>