[plug] ? Compatible hardware ? Sharp PC-AX40 Notebook ?

[Colin Muller]

On Thu, May 02, 2002 at 08:42:26PM +0800, Daniel B wrote:
> "Port......" still have a special on Sharp PC-AX40 P111 explaining
> that Sharp imported too many .  The man in the shop assures me it
> should run Linux as 'it has separate video from memory and you won't
> find that compatibility with any of the other current notebooks.'

It was a while ago, but last time I spoke to someone from a notebook
outlet starting 'Port...' I resolved never to use their services.
Economies of scale wonderful, but not when applied to truthfulness.

> I would buy second hand if I could find something.  I'm looking at $3k of 
> borrowing with a 2year warranty... so with the money still traveling in the 
> wrong direction I want to make a good decision, but my other choices are 
> second hand models from $700  or $1000 up, but I want to get something so I 
> can take it around to get some help with my studies.

A bottom-end Apple iBook is under $3K new and runs Linux. Apple are
their own worst enemy, though, very frustrating to deal with. If you
want x86, I've found IBM ThinkPads tend to work well with Linux. My
experience has been with A, formerly i, series, where even most of the
bits they refuse to guarantee Linux compatibility for (like in-built
wireless LAN cards) work. For under $3000, I suggest you search around
Google, Google Groups, and http://www.linux-laptop.net/ for reports on
the IBM R series, which currently starts at $2899 brand new.

On the other had, most manufacturers now have a bottom-end notebook
for under $3K, like the $2999 Celeron 900MHz PCGFX950 from
www.sony.com.au, with 256MB RAM, CD-RW, 14.1" display ... So look
around a bit. And, for real-life reports, did I remember to mention
http://www.linux-laptop.net/ ... ?

Colin