[NTLUG:Discuss] Notebook Suggestions

[Michael Owens]

I am no expert, and so this is sort of a novice opinion, but I have been using a
Dell Inspiron 7500 since last October with Red Hat, and its been wonderful. I
had to do some nit-picky PCMCIA configuration at first with Red Hat 6.0
to get the NIC working (3COM 3CCFE575BT-D), as well as download and install the
Maestro sound driver, and had to buy Xi Graphics X for the ATI Rage Mobility
card.

And while I was thankful just have Linux running, all of these
troubles have since vanished with Red Hat 6.2:

	- XFree86 supports the video card, so no more Xi Graphics
	- Red Hat 6.2 includes the Maestro and 3COM drivers, and takes care of
	   them in the install.

So with 6.2, you're set. No trouble at all.

One thing I can't figure out though, the last I checked, if you buy Red Hat
pre-installed from Dell, it is like $700 more than with Windoze(?). Don't as me
why. So I just got it with 98 (or no OS---can't remember which) and installed
Red Hat, OpenBSD, and NT on it (for work of course, I have to earn a living
which often entails doing what They say). I got a PSION Gold Card modem, which
was never a problem configuring or using.

So far, I have had no complaints. There is a site you can go to for help on
Inspirons running Linux which was particularly helpful for me: 
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~steveh/inspiron/

That's my novice advice.

On Wed, 28 Jun 2000, you wrote:
> Looking at buying a laptop for basic everyday office and telecommuting
> use. Plan on running Redhat. Prefer to have a port replicator. Don't
> mind usng PCMCIA modem and NIC if I have to. Just looking for some good
> suggestions based on your personal experiences.
> 
> Josh
> 
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