Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi all,

can anybody give me feedback on this system:
http://linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2464.html

How, as a brand, is Linux Certified generally considered?

The specs of the system are quite nice and they seem to sell even over
to Europe.

I'll give them a call tomorrow anyway.

Thanks,
Lorenzo

--
Get my PGP Public Key @ http://www.bolognini.net/LBolognini.txt

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Lorenzo Bolognini wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> can anybody give me feedback on this system:
> http://linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2464.html
>
> How, as a brand, is Linux Certified generally considered?
>
> The specs of the system are quite nice and they seem to sell even over
> to Europe.
>
> I'll give them a call tomorrow anyway.

If you want to run 64-bit Linux that machine may work well enough but be
aware that the 64-bit video drivers for the ATI chips are not yet
available. It would have pretty much the same limitations as the
emachines/gateway/Arima machines.

To get full functionality at this time you'd do better to go with a machine
that has nvidia video--the potential performance is not as good with the
nvidia chips commonly found in laptops but their 64-bit drivers are
available.

> Thanks,
> Lorenzo
>

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I have this unit, and I absolutely love it. It handily out-performs
even a high-end P4 based desktop I have. Also, the company seems good
about providing support for Linux driver issues.


Lorenzo Bolognini wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> can anybody give me feedback on this system:
> http://linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2464.html
>
> How, as a brand, is Linux Certified generally considered?
>
> The specs of the system are quite nice and they seem to sell even
over
> to Europe.
>
> I'll give them a call tomorrow anyway.
>
> Thanks,
> Lorenzo
>
> --
> Get my PGP Public Key @ http://www.bolognini.net/LBolognini.txt

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

J. Clarke wrote:
> If you want to run 64-bit Linux that machine may work well enough but be
> aware that the 64-bit video drivers for the ATI chips are not yet
> available. It would have pretty much the same limitations as the
> emachines/gateway/Arima machines.

Hi J.

never thought of this issue: a 32 bit video chip on a 64 bit system. How
does that work out?

Anyway I'm thinking about using it with Windows and don't really think I
will need to use it for 64 bit computations, but it's still the fastest
processor out there!

Lorenzo


--
Get my PGP Public Key @ http://www.bolognini.net/LBolognini.txt

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

linux-fanatic wrote:
> I have this unit, and I absolutely love it. It handily out-performs
> even a high-end P4 based desktop I have. Also, the company seems good
> about providing support for Linux driver issues.

Cool! How is the case then? Is it solid? And the hinges? Does it
overheat on the palm rest (as I read on the Acer Ferrari)? Does it cool
enough? Is it noisy? What about battery life?

Thanks,
Lorenzo


--
Get my PGP Public Key @ http://www.bolognini.net/LBolognini.txt

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Lorenzo Bolognini wrote:

> J. Clarke wrote:
>> If you want to run 64-bit Linux that machine may work well enough but be
>> aware that the 64-bit video drivers for the ATI chips are not yet
>> available. It would have pretty much the same limitations as the
>> emachines/gateway/Arima machines.
>
> Hi J.
>
> never thought of this issue: a 32 bit video chip on a 64 bit system. How
> does that work out?

32 bit vs 64 bit is not really an issue--it goes on the AGP bus, which is 64
bit. The issue is that ATI has not seen fit to release drivers that have
been compiled and linked as 64-bit code. Nvidia has.

> Anyway I'm thinking about using it with Windows and don't really think I
> will need to use it for 64 bit computations, but it's still the fastest
> processor out there!

If you want a Windows box then why are you looking at "Linux-certified"?
Their prices seem quite high. Take a look at the aforementioned
Gateway/emachines/Arima boxen which you can get for under $1000 US with
Windows XP preinstalled.

> Lorenzo
>
>

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

John wrote:

>If you want a Windows box then why are you looking at
"Linux-certified"?
>Their prices seem quite high. Take a look at the aforementioned
>Gateway/emachines/Arima boxen which you can get for under $1000 US
with
>Windows XP preinstalled.

Yeah nice specs these Arima boxes but they cannot make a website that
works with Firefox... what makes u think they can build a PC?

About Gateway/eMachines they don't sell outside US/Canada and I'm
european.

I think LinuxCertified are good value for money (even though I'm still
lokking for feedback from someone who actually uses these boxes)
especially now with the strong euro.

Nice spam filter

Lorenzo

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

lbolognini@gmail.com wrote:

> John wrote:
>
>>If you want a Windows box then why are you looking at
> "Linux-certified"?
>>Their prices seem quite high. Take a look at the aforementioned
>>Gateway/emachines/Arima boxen which you can get for under $1000 US
> with
>>Windows XP preinstalled.
>
> Yeah nice specs these Arima boxes but they cannot make a website that
> works with Firefox... what makes u think they can build a PC?

Well, other than that mine's working find and there are numerous other
reports of their working quite nicely . . .

They're a Taiwanese OEM with a typical Taiwanese OEM web page. The miracle
is that it loads at all.

> About Gateway/eMachines they don't sell outside US/Canada and I'm
> european.

Try Targa or Medion. Same machine, different brand. Or take a look at
<http://www.amdboard.com/athlon_64_notebook.html>--you'll find that the
"LinuxCertified" is also avaiable under the "Fujitsu-Siemens" brand among
others--if you like that box then shop for price and support--you may find
it locally for a better price and with better support than LinuxCertified
can provide.

> I think LinuxCertified are good value for money (even though I'm still
> lokking for feedback from someone who actually uses these boxes)
> especially now with the strong euro.

The thing about the Arimas is that they have an active and established user
community--see <http://notebookforums.com/archive/index.php/>, look in the
"Gateway/Emachines" section and you'll find a lot of discussion.

> Nice spam filter
>
> Lorenzo

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> Try Targa or Medion. Same machine, different brand. Or take a look at
> <http://www.amdboard.com/athlon_64_notebook.html>--you'll find that the
> "LinuxCertified" is also avaiable under the "Fujitsu-Siemens" brand among
> others--if you like that box then shop for price and support--you may find
> it locally for a better price and with better support than LinuxCertified
> can provide.

That LinuxCertified laptop is made by Fujitsu? Hmm, according to some
other posters, those machines are supposed to be pretty good. Maybe I
shoulda bought one intsead of this X40. But I wanted a small machine
for a change. Any idea where I can get one of the Fujitsus under its
own label? Or is it actually some no-name Taiwanese machine sometimes
sold under a Fujitsu label?

Hmm, looks like it supports just WXGA screen resolution (max), and max
1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq machines
which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:

> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
>> Try Targa or Medion. Same machine, different brand. Or take a look at
>> <http://www.amdboard.com/athlon_64_notebook.html>--you'll find that the
>> "LinuxCertified" is also avaiable under the "Fujitsu-Siemens" brand among
>> others--if you like that box then shop for price and support--you may
>> find it locally for a better price and with better support than
>> LinuxCertified can provide.
>
> That LinuxCertified laptop is made by Fujitsu?

No, it's made by some outfit called "Uniwill". It's _sold_ by
Fujitsu-Siemens. Fujitsu-Siemens is neither Fujitsu nor Siemens, it's a
distribution company owned jointly by both that sells some Fujitsu
products, some Siemens products, and some third-party products.

> Hmm, according to some
> other posters, those machines are supposed to be pretty good. Maybe I
> shoulda bought one intsead of this X40. But I wanted a small machine
> for a change. Any idea where I can get one of the Fujitsus under its
> own label? Or is it actually some no-name Taiwanese machine sometimes
> sold under a Fujitsu label?

Not under a Fujitsu label, under a Fujitsu-Siemens label. And if you check
the link above you'll see all the brands under which it's sold.

> Hmm, looks like it supports just WXGA screen resolution (max),

That's the native resolution of the built in screen--they seem to be using
the same Sony panel as Arima, and it's very nice. Any higher res on a 15"
screen and you'd need a microscope. It should be able to go to whatever is
the limit of the Radeon Mobility on an external.

> and max
> 1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq machines
> which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.

For Linux the DECPaqards would actually be a better bet.

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> > That LinuxCertified laptop is made by Fujitsu?
>
> No, it's made by some outfit called "Uniwill". It's _sold_ by
> Fujitsu-Siemens. Fujitsu-Siemens is neither Fujitsu nor Siemens, it's a
> distribution company owned jointly by both that sells some Fujitsu
> products, some Siemens products, and some third-party products.

Thanks.

> > Hmm, looks like it supports just WXGA screen resolution (max),
>
> That's the native resolution of the built in screen--they seem to be
> using the same Sony panel as Arima, and it's very nice. Any higher
> res on a 15" screen and you'd need a microscope.

I don't think so. I have an A20p with SXGA+ (1450x1050) and it's
great. If I were doing it again I'd get UXGA in the same screen size.
It's just 110 dpi or something like that. If you had a 110 dpi laser
printer would you say you needed a microscope? Would you even think
of buying a 110 dpi laser printer? More resolution is better, no
matter what the screen size is. If the higher resolution makes you
need a microscope, that means you're using the wrong fonts.

> > 1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq
> > machines which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.
>
> For Linux the DECPaqards would actually be a better bet.

What's that?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
> > 1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq machines
> > which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.
>
> For Linux the DECPaqards would actually be a better bet.

Oh, you mean "HP". I had thought the HP and Compaq machines were
exactly the same except for some cosmetic changes and perhaps
different Windows preinstalls (irrelevant to Linux). I saw those
machines in a store and while the feature sets were mostly pretty
good, the hardware seemed poorly made, and they have proprietary
driver disease.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:

> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
>> > 1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq machines
>> > which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.
>>
>> For Linux the DECPaqards would actually be a better bet.
>
> Oh, you mean "HP". I had thought the HP and Compaq machines were
> exactly the same except for some cosmetic changes and perhaps
> different Windows preinstalls (irrelevant to Linux). I saw those
> machines in a store and while the feature sets were mostly pretty
> good, the hardware seemed poorly made, and they have proprietary
> driver disease.

What "proprietary drivers" do they need that the "Linux Certified" machine
does not?

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:

> "J. Clarke" <jclarke@nospam.invalid> writes:
>> > That LinuxCertified laptop is made by Fujitsu?
>>
>> No, it's made by some outfit called "Uniwill". It's _sold_ by
>> Fujitsu-Siemens. Fujitsu-Siemens is neither Fujitsu nor Siemens, it's a
>> distribution company owned jointly by both that sells some Fujitsu
>> products, some Siemens products, and some third-party products.
>
> Thanks.
>
>> > Hmm, looks like it supports just WXGA screen resolution (max),
>>
>> That's the native resolution of the built in screen--they seem to be
>> using the same Sony panel as Arima, and it's very nice. Any higher
>> res on a 15" screen and you'd need a microscope.
>
> I don't think so. I have an A20p with SXGA+ (1450x1050) and it's
> great. If I were doing it again I'd get UXGA in the same screen size.
> It's just 110 dpi or something like that. If you had a 110 dpi laser
> printer would you say you needed a microscope?

Not a valid comparison. With a laser printer you typically print text and
graphics that you have formatted. With a display you typically display a
user interface or web pages that someone else has formatted, that you can
tweak to (with Windows anyway) a limited extent.

I'll put it another way, maybe _you_ can read the text on a 15" 1450x1050
display, but I'd rather not try.

> Would you even think
> of buying a 110 dpi laser printer? More resolution is better, no
> matter what the screen size is.

Only if the figure size is unchanged. With Windows more resolution results
in smaller figure size. If you tweak it then you run into formatting
problems with the application menus and the like.

> If the higher resolution makes you
> need a microscope, that means you're using the wrong fonts.

So what are the "right fonts" that will never, ever result in a hosed up
menu?
>
>> > 1 GB of ram . I was hoping for something like the Compaq
>> > machines which support WUXGA and 2 GB or more.
>>
>> For Linux the DECPaqards would actually be a better bet.
>
> What's that?

DEC-Compaq-Hewlett-Packard--they use nvidia video rather than ATI. Nvidia
has AMD-64 drivers out across the board, ATI doesn't.

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)