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

[Steege, Phil E]

I'm not sure what the current pricing is, but I have had no problems running
Redhat linux on my Gateway laptop.

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Muller [mailto:colin at twobluedots.com.au] 
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 10:12 AM
To: plug at plug.linux.org.au
Subject: Re: [plug] ? Compatible hardware ? Sharp PC-AX40 Notebook ?


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