(Sorry it's not threaded but only reading via online archives at present).
The HP offering was disappointing. Very half-hearted effort especially not having the wi-fi configured.
One suggestion: get an IBM Thinkpad from ebay and install a mainstream distro. The T series is good (I use a T23) and I have heard good things about the more recent X series as well.
Good build quality. Thinkpads are sturdy. Three year warranty so it is easy to get one with a long warranty period remaining - mine came with 2.5 years remaining. Good support under linux with all mainstream distros - I use Mandrake 10.0 Official (although there is a gotcha with the X-windows config that you need to know about before installing). A linux-thinkpads mailing list and plenty of support and advice can be found via google etc. Lots of support for on IBM websites including linux-specific info. Did I say good build quality? :-)
I added a wi-fi card and a second battery which swaps with the DVD/CD-R. It is an excellent general-purpose machine.
ACPI is apparently problematic with recent 2.6.x kernels. I use APM instead and it works well.
HTH Syd
On Saturday 06 November 2004 2:32 pm, Syd Hancock wrote:
(Sorry it's not threaded but only reading via online archives at present).
The HP offering was disappointing. Very half-hearted effort especially not having the wi-fi configured.
One suggestion: get an IBM Thinkpad from ebay and install a mainstream distro. The T series is good (I use a T23) and I have heard good things about the more recent X series as well.
Yep I second your post, Thinkpads are cracking machines. My R40 is only in the budget range but I have been very impressed with it so far. (haven't tried Linux outside VMware on it yet though)
Everything looks dead standard with the exception of a strange philips triple mode wireless card, but that is in a user accessable miniPCI slot so could be replaced if need be (it's an option on the R40 anyway) although if you fitted something else you may have to sacrifice one of the two installed antennas.
Best bit about the R40 (and possibly others, I haven't checked) is NO WINDOWS KEY !!!
*Plug warning*
My company is an IBM Partner so I can help with service and support for these machines, I can also supply IBM equipment (in many cases below RRP)
On Sat, Nov 06, 2004 at 04:07:57PM +0100, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
Everything looks dead standard with the exception of a strange philips triple mode wireless card, but that is in a user accessable miniPCI slot so could be replaced if need be (it's an option on the R40 anyway) although if you fitted something else you may have to sacrifice one of the two installed antennas.
Not quite, you will find that IBM do bios locking on certain wireless cards and certain laptops including the R40. You can read here for some more info on this page http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/wireless.html
It certainly makes me think twice about buying IBM, but apart from that they are cracking machines.
Adam
On Saturday 06 November 2004 3:48 pm, adam@thebowery.co.uk wrote:
Not quite, you will find that IBM do bios locking on certain wireless cards and certain laptops including the R40. You can read here for some more info on this page http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~mjg59/thinkpad/wireless.html
It certainly makes me think twice about buying IBM, but apart from that they are cracking machines.
Adam
Hmmm I wasn't aware of that, thanks Adam At least it looks pretty easy to circumvent.
On Sat, 6 Nov 2004 16:07:57 +0100, Wayne Stallwood aluglist@digimatic.plus.com wrote:
Best bit about the R40 (and possibly others, I haven't checked) is NO WINDOWS KEY !!!
Which is a really pain _in_ Windows as it provides short cuts to Explorer, Find, Minimise all, and a few others. At least IBM now provide a bit of software to map "Alt Gr" to do the job.
*Plug warning*
My company is an IBM Partner so I can help with service and support for these machines, I can also supply IBM equipment (in many cases below RRP)
I might take you up on that offer later. I have my eye on a T42.
Tim.
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adam＠thebowery.co.uk -
Syd Hancock -
Tim Green -
Wayne Stallwood