Question:
Budget Linux laptop
I'm looking into buying a laptop next month.
I already posted here a year ago (, but since the market has changed a lot since then, I'm asking again:
What's a good, cheap notebook, that has good battery life, can boot Linux (Ubuntu) and has possibility to work in dual screen mode (for VJ'ing: external output should be different from main).
Last tome I posted this, Chaz proposed a thinkpad, 'cause they offer good Linux support. Now I've come across this budget notebook from Lenovo (not a thinkpad though), that seems like a good deal (good battery life, quite sturdy, only problem is that grafix are not so good) --> Lenovo 3000 C100 0761 - Pentium M 740 / 1.73 GHz - Centrino - RAM : 512 MB - HD : 80 GB - DVD-Writer - Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g - Win XP Pro - 15" TFT 1024 x 768 ( XGA )
I can get it at a very good price from a shop near where I live: http://shop.crazycamel.com/index.php?cPath=254
Do you have any other suggestions, that I should look into.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
1000 Euro maximum (= 1282 USD, 675 GBP)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Surfing, programming (not to heavy compiling in C), web development (HTML/PHP), MP3 DJ'ing, music production, VJ'ing, some photo editing
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Take it with me,
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Maybe Second Life (on Linux), but that's not really important
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Lenovo seems like a good option, especially for Linux support
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
I'd like 5 hours, but 3 at least
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Buying online would be an option, but it would have to be shipped to Belgium (Europe) and price is an issue
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
Belgium, Europe (the Belgian flag is not here as an icon, so I selected France, since that's the closest to Belgium in the list)
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
I actually prefer standard
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a. XGA -1024x768 would be sufficient, but SXGA would be nice
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Don't know, should be readable outside in sunlight as well in the dark (for DJ'ing, VJ'ing)
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not that important
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
In a months time, and it should last at least three years
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
At least 80 GB, since I'm thinking about dual booting
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW would be nice, but at least DVD/CD-R
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
The HP notebooks also have good support for linux. Infact there are a few that are officially supported by certain linux distros. You could look into the dv6000t, that way you could get a decent GPU. Also see if you can find a HP nc8430 in your price range.
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
The Lenovo C100 has the worst screen I've ever seen, you will deeply regret if you buy it in my opinion.
Now, I think that 1000 Euro is enough for Core 2 duo based, business-class notebook. So, I would suggest looking at HP business line (the link below). I would recommend the HP nx7400 but If you prefer standart screen then look at the HP nx63x0.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/be/fr...-12434538.html
Otherwise, if you wanna play games check out the budget version HP dv6000t
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
From the recomendations above, I get that I should look for Intel Core (2) Duo. But this kind of limits my options since I think a dedicated graphics card is important also and I only have a small budget.
What do you think is more important? A Core Duo processor or a dedicated graphics card? And is there a big difference between Core Duo and Core 2 Duo? Some reviews say there is a substantial difference, others say Core 2 Duo is only a little better.
The HP dv6118eu for example looks good, but has a AMD Turion 64 X2 porcessor. I does have NVIDIA GeForce Go 7200 graphics card though. I could buy it for 899 Euro, so thats under my budget.
The HP dv6115ea on the other hand has an Intel Core Duo Processor T2050. But only an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 integrated graphics processor. This costs 999 Euro, which is the maximum I can spend.
So which one would be a better choice for me?
Or is the difference betwee Intel and AMD dual cores and between integrated and dedicated graphics to important, and should I wait till I have enough money to buy a Core Duo with dedicated graphics, like the dv5285ea?
BTW: the dv6000t is not an option for me, since it is only sold in the US.
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
How about the ThinkPad R series?
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
The HP nx6400 is usually offered with the X1300 but it's a 14.1 notebook.
The dv6000t is the dv6xxx in Europe, usually offered with the Go 7200/7400
Edit: I forgot that the 7400 comes only with the GMA. Thanks ZaZ.
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
Perhaps you are thinking of the nc6400 because the nx7400 comes with the integrated Intel card.
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
It seems the ThinkPad R have integrated graphics or ATI graphic cards and I tought ATI didn't have good support in Linux.
I also don't think I'm gonna find one with Core Duo and dedicated graphics in my budget. I'm looking for it, but al the models that are in my price range seem to have Intel GMA 950 or less.
I do like the idea of buying a Thinkpad though, would be my first choice if I can find one with good specs in my price range.
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
The cheapest ThinkPad of the R series I can with dedicated graphics is the R60 UL154BE for 1.415,70 Euro (which is way above my budget):
http://www5.pc.ibm.com/be/products.n...nkPad+R+Series
Answer:
Re: Budget Linux laptop
if a 14.1" notebook is not a problem then look at the nc6400 http://www.euclidcomputers.com/frame...A+yes+no+New+0
check out the prices of the other notebooks here http://www.euclidcomputers.com/