Linux Laptops

[Advent Systems]

Jesse,
    I have a compaq 2596.  I have got everything to work but not with 
one distro.  There seems to be a profound difference with the different 
distros.  I have tried Mandrake 9.0, 9.1.1, Suse 8.2, extensively and 
briefly tried FedoraC2.  ACPI worked w/Suse but not with Mandrake, 
wireless worked w/Mandrake but not with Suse, etc,etc,etc.  I picked the 
one (Suse)with the least amount of problems to fix.   

Jesse Jarzynka wrote:

>     Hey, just wondering if anyone's has used any new laptops lately 
> and wanted to get some feedback on the vendors, and see how Linux 
> played with them. As far as our experience, seems as long as it has 
> nVidia graphics it plays well (With Fedora Core 2). I just noticed 
> this 
> <http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&expansionOID=-536906913&prodBlockOID=537334020> 
> one from Office Max and seems like a pretty good deal, and would do 
> well with Linux. In case that link is broke from a cookie or 
> something, here are the specs:
>
> *Compaq Presario RS3210us Laptop Computer w/Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 3000+*
> Processor: Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processor 3000+ (1.6GHz)
> Memory: 256MB DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1.3GB)
> Display: 15.4" WXGA widescreen display (max. resolution 1280 x 800)
> Hard drive: 60GB (4200 RPM)
> Communications: Integrated 10/100BaseT ethernet LAN (RJ-45), 
> integrated v.90/v.92 56KB modem (RJ-11)
> Wireless connectivity: 54g Integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN 
> Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 4 420 Go with 32MB dedicated
> Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
> Primary CD/DVD drive: 24x DVD/CD-RW combo drive
> External ports: 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 1 parallel, 1 PS/2, 
> 1 VGA, 1 TV out, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45
> Dimensions: 10.96" (L) x 14.25" (W) x 1.8" (H)
> Weight: 7.8 lb.
> Sound: Internal JBL Pro Performance speakers
>
> This is going for $999.98 at http://officemax.com. Any comments or 
> worries about this one as far as Linux goes? What would be the best 
> would be to buy a laptop without any o/s, as to avoid paying for 
> Winblows. I know HP is doing Linux laptops but those don't seem to be 
> out yet, and I would remove whatever was on it anyways. Anyone know of 
> any vendors (maybe Dell I think I heard?) selling o/s-less laptops? 
> Any feedback is greatly appreciated. -Jesse Jarzynka