24 Sep
2011
24 Sep
'11
8:21 a.m.
Hi,
I've been using an Asus netbook for the last 2 years or so and feel I
need a bit more power!:)
I've done some preliminary research, but not quite sure where to
start. Basically my top requirements are:
1) Reasonable CPU apparently I5 is supposed to be fairly good?
2) 6 hrs + of battery life
3) I'm looking to spend around the $1200 mark give or take.
4) Linux compatible of course!
I also wouldn't mind a smaller laptop eg. 12 or 13 inch as I'm using it
in a class room environment, although this doesn't really matter too
much.
I checked out a few of the lenovo thinkpads (T series I believe, but
could be wrong) and these were way outside of my budget. I also
investigated the hp envy, but this seemed to have poor battery life.
I also checked out the mac book pro which looked ok... However,
apparently the linux install is a bit more tricky. Does anyone have any
ideas on any other machines? Is the mac book pro something I should look
into? The only draw back I see so far is the battery that can only be
replaced by Apple...
BTW, not too concerned about graphics as I'm blind, just need something
that is sufficient for any day to day use by a sighted person,
eg. navigating the desktop or reading text...:) (I don't need any high
performance graphics)
Thanks for any suggestions,
Dan
24 Sep
24 Sep
9:57 a.m.
Daniel Dalton <d.dalton(a)iinet.net.au> wrote:
I checked out a few of the lenovo thinkpads (T series
I believe, but
could be wrong) and these were way outside of my budget. I also
investigated the hp envy, but this seemed to have poor battery life.
Mine is a Lenovo X200: it is one of the smaller laptops, but includes a
dual-core Intel CPU and 2Gb of memory. You might be able to obtain this or a
similar model cheaply from a used laptop dealer. I am sure there are others on
the list who can make more specific recommendations.
I have also heard positive reports regarding the Linux compatibility of Dell
laptops, which might be worth investigating further. This is not to say that
they are all supported, of course. You need to check carefully before making a
purchase. This site may be useful:
http://www.linux-laptop.net/
27 Sep
27 Sep
1:27 p.m.
Hi Jason,
On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 09:57:06AM +1000, Jason White wrote:
Daniel Dalton <d.dalton(a)iinet.net.au> wrote:
Yes, although I believe there are now more modern technologies available
such as I3,I5 and I7 processors...? Do you think these would be better
in terms of performance than the older dual cores?
I checked out a few of the lenovo thinkpads (T
series I believe, but
could be wrong) and these were way outside of my budget. I also
investigated the hp envy, but this seemed to have poor battery life.
Mine is a Lenovo X200: it is one of the smaller laptops, but includes a
dual-core Intel CPU and 2Gb of memory. You might be able to obtain this or a
similar model cheaply from a used laptop dealer. I am sure there are others on
the list who can make more specific recommendations. I have also heard positive reports regarding the Linux
compatibility of Dell
laptops, which might be worth investigating further. This is not to say that
Actually, I recently came across an interesting machine:
Del Vostro 3350 (13 inch, core I5 processor 4 gb ram 320 gb hdd) which
sounds reasonably good. The sales person I spoke with on the phone said
the laptop has about 5 hours battery life with an 8 cell, while many of
the reviews suggested 8-9 hours so I guess I'll have to see for myself.
Do you think this could be a wise choice?
they are all supported, of course. You need to check
carefully before making a
Yes, I found this page, which sounds promising
http://www.bortzmeyer.org/dell-vostro-3350.html
Hopefully I've done enough research as I'm hoping to score the $200
discount which lasts until Thursday!.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts anyway.
Thanks for your help.
Dan
2:34 p.m.
On 27/09/11 13:27, Daniel Dalton wrote:
Actually, I recently came across an interesting
machine:
Del Vostro 3350 (13 inch, core I5 processor 4 gb ram 320 gb hdd) which
sounds reasonably good. The sales person I spoke with on the phone said
the laptop has about 5 hours battery life with an 8 cell, while many of
the reviews suggested 8-9 hours so I guess I'll have to see for myself.
Do you think this could be a wise choice?
I picked up a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge 13" laptop a few months ago.. Think
it cost $450 or so.
That has a ultra-low-voltage Core i3 dual-core processor, 4GB of ram,
and some large amount of disk. The main points I liked about it were the
fairly light weight and good battery life, and that it seemed like a
reasonably solid chunk of hardware. (Unlike my previous laptop, where
the plastic-mounted hinges broke off..)
Works alright with recent Ubuntu releases.
Just thought I'd toss it out there as another potential option for you.
Cheers,
Toby
they are all supported, of course. You need to
check carefully before making a
Yes, I found this page, which sounds promising
http://www.bortzmeyer.org/dell-vostro-3350.html
Hopefully I've done enough research as I'm hoping to score the $200
discount which lasts until Thursday!.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts anyway.
9 Oct
9 Oct
11:49 a.m.
Hi,
I decided to go with a Dell vostro 3350, which is a 13 inch display,
core I5 2.4 ghz, 4 gb ram 320 gb hdd (7200 rpm I believe), and an 8 cell
battery which is reasonably big!
Linux compatibility is fantastic just about everything worked out of the
box except the broadcom wifi, which I believe required non-free
modules. Once these were installed, wifi is functioning well. Battery
life is excellent, about 5 hrs but even more when I turn my screen off
(I'm blind).
The only thing that doesn't work is the finger print scanner, but
this really isn't much of a problem for me, although it would be pretty
cool if it was supported one day. Haven't tested webcam or internal mic...
So thanks very much for all the advice provided...
Cheers,
Dan
On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 09:57:06AM +1000, Jason White wrote:
Daniel Dalton <d.dalton(a)iinet.net.au> wrote:
I checked out a few of the lenovo thinkpads (T
series I believe, but
could be wrong) and these were way outside of my budget. I also
investigated the hp envy, but this seemed to have poor battery life.
Mine is a Lenovo X200: it is one of the smaller laptops, but includes a
dual-core Intel CPU and 2Gb of memory. You might be able to obtain this or a
similar model cheaply from a used laptop dealer. I am sure there are others on
the list who can make more specific recommendations.
I have also heard positive reports regarding the Linux compatibility of Dell
laptops, which might be worth investigating further. This is not to say that
they are all supported, of course. You need to check carefully before making a
purchase. This site may be useful:
http://www.linux-laptop.net/
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2:08 p.m.
On Sun, Oct 09, 2011 at 12:36:31PM +1100, Trent W. Buck wrote:
Daniel Dalton wrote:
I use the vbetool package,
vbetool dpms off # turn screen completely off
vbetool dpms on # turn screen on.
So it's very efficient to turn on and off the screen eg. when I need to
show a teacher some work. Saves plenty of battery life though.:)
Cheers,
Dan
life is excellent, about 5 hrs but even more when
I turn my screen off
How are you turning the display off entirely? 
24 Sep
24 Sep
10:52 a.m.
Hi
I'm using a Dell E6510 and I know someone using a Dell X series (with the
Hybrid graphics). The E series Latitude is great and working really well with
Magia. The X series machine (sorry don't know the model number) works fine
with the Intel garphics, but the Nvidia graphics refuses to run outside the
setup for Ubuntu for some reason.
Peter.
On Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:21:14 AM Daniel Dalton wrote:
Hi,
I've been using an Asus netbook for the last 2 years or so and feel I
need a bit more power!:)
I've done some preliminary research, but not quite sure where to
start. Basically my top requirements are:
1) Reasonable CPU apparently I5 is supposed to be fairly good?
2) 6 hrs + of battery life
3) I'm looking to spend around the $1200 mark give or take.
4) Linux compatible of course!
I also wouldn't mind a smaller laptop eg. 12 or 13 inch as I'm using it
in a class room environment, although this doesn't really matter too
much.
I checked out a few of the lenovo thinkpads (T series I believe, but
could be wrong) and these were way outside of my budget. I also
investigated the hp envy, but this seemed to have poor battery life.
I also checked out the mac book pro which looked ok... However,
apparently the linux install is a bit more tricky. Does anyone have any
ideas on any other machines? Is the mac book pro something I should look
into? The only draw back I see so far is the battery that can only be
replaced by Apple...
BTW, not too concerned about graphics as I'm blind, just need something
that is sufficient for any day to day use by a sighted person,
eg. navigating the desktop or reading text...:) (I don't need any high
performance graphics)
Thanks for any suggestions,
Dan
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7 comments
5 participants
participants (5)
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Daniel Dalton -
Jason White -
Peter Nunn -
Toby Corkindale -
Trent W. Buck