[99658] in RedHat Linux List
Re: Laptops and Linux
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Rick Forrester)
Mon Nov 16 13:22:28 1998
To: Nitesh Dhanjani <nitesh@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
cc: redhat-list@redhat.com
In-reply-to: Your message of "Sun, 15 Nov 1998 15:12:42 EST."
<Pine.GSO.3.96.981115150839.23706B-100000@expert.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 10:20:42 -0800
From: Rick Forrester <rickf@glacier.jpl.nasa.gov>
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
nitesh@expert.cc.purdue.edu said:
> Hello,
> I have a choice between getting a desktop or laptop at work, and
> since the laptop being offered to me is much faster, I was just
> wondering how difficult itd be to install redhat on a laptop? Would I
> be better off opting for the desktop?
> thanks.
Would strongly recommend taking a look at the "Linux on Laptops" site at
<http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/linux-laptop/>. There's a wealth
of information at the site.
I've got both a linux laptop system (p5/166MMX based) and a large home
installation on a desktop. I get a _lot_ of use from the laptop. The
primary issues I would look at are:
1. video chipset: Is it supported by XFree86? Often the answer is
'yes'; mine uses the Chips & Technologies CT655554 chipset with 2MB
video ram and has been no problem, once I got the actual vertical
refresh rate & horizontal synch rate. If the system has a NeoMagic
chipset you can get the binary only free driver. If it's an S3 it can
be done, just research the information about that chipset on laptops.
2. Adequate disk space - the relatively common 2.1Gb harddrives are
pretty much necessary for adequate room to work in. I've purchased an
IBM TravelStar 5.0Gb drive for mine. Another point to look into is the
availability of a second drive carrier tray and drive at a reasonable
cost. Makes a wonderful way to have an experimental setup.
3. Try to get one that has a builtin cdrom & floppy, rather than the
need to rely on pcmcia-attached externals. It's simply easier to live
with.
4. As long as you check the hardware note, and request information about
such pcmcia cards as network & modems you should have no problems at all.
As I said, I use mine a lot & it's been a pleasure to work with. I do
wish I had one of the newer 14.1" lcd screens, but ...
best
rickf
--
Rick Forrister <Richard.Forrister@jpl.nasa.gov>
You'll wonder why your data's lost
When you load your system with MicroSoft...
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