Linux Format forums

A-Wing · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:09 pm Post subject: New laptop, huge foul-up

My Fuji laptop is screwed for the second time in under a year so I thought it was time to replace it. This time with something that will take abuse for 12 hours a day.
I ended up ordering the highest spec of R50e model laptop IBM make at around £700. A couple of days later the box comes, I open it up and the label doesn't say R50e which I thought was a bit odd. It turns out the company sent me a top spec IBM T42 instead, list price at over £1500.
5 minutes out of the box and I had a Linux installer running on it. it runs like a dream Smile

That's my luck for the year gone Smile

_________________
Andrew Hutchings, Linux Jedi
www.a-wing.co.uk

MachuMan · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:56 pm Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

sweet!

I'm on the look for a laptop, would you recommend the R50e? (note i would expect to be blessed with your good fortune Wink

I'm looking to spend about 600-700. Anyone any recommendations?
_________________
Whats ' a machu' with you?
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Slackware, sexy linux

A-Wing · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:19 am Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

Depends what you want. Always stick with a known brand (HP are trouble with Linux last time I looked, BIOS problems). Sony are good for bells and whistles at that price range. IBM may not look too pretty or huge amounts of features but can take a beating (my 14 month old sat on it today with no problems), real office/server rack hacking type of laptop.
I would have reccomended Fujitsu (their old stuff such as Lifebook B series were the best) but they latest models are a bit flimsy. Mine has had the lid close detect switch snap twice and the DVD+RW drive burn out twice in the last few months, and I only used that DVD drive a few times (hence I got the IBM).
Take a look at this:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/thinkpad/community/legends/
If you had several grand spare go for a Panasonic, you could hit one with a scud missle and it wouldn't have a scratch, they look the part too.
_________________
Andrew Hutchings, Linux Jedi
www.a-wing.co.uk

MachuMan · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:08 pm Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

Interesting,
I was considering a fujitsu, but i'm planning to kart mine about quite a bit so i may avoid them if there flimsy.
I do like the sound of a laptop that could take a hit from a scud but several grand is severl grand too much unfortunatelty.
Are the r50e 's supposed to be as tough as the other thinkpads?
_________________
Whats ' a machu' with you?
-------------------
Slackware, sexy linux

A-Wing · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:15 pm Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

Yep, has the hardended rubber lid, hard drive protection system, etc...
Only lacks in extra features really
_________________
Andrew Hutchings, Linux Jedi
www.a-wing.co.uk

nordle · LXF regular Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:56 pm Posts: 1497

Sod the recommendations for laptops, whats the name of the bloomin company!?!!

Smile

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I think, therefore I compile

MachuMan · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:49 pm Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

Thanks A-wing, I'll see if i can get some kind of commision for you from IBM Wink

Who did you get yours through?
_________________
Whats ' a machu' with you?
-------------------
Slackware, sexy linux

A-Wing · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:17 pm Post subject: RE: New laptop, huge foul-up

I don't think IBM will give me any kind of acknowledgement, but I will still reccomend them.
I got it from a company called laptopsdirect.co.uk, just don't expect the same cock-up Smile

_________________
Andrew Hutchings, Linux Jedi
www.a-wing.co.uk

sandyman · Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:32 pm Posts: 53

A-Wing · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: New laptop, huge foul-up

MachuMan · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: RE: Re: New laptop, huge foul-up

wash the r50e you were supposed to get a centrino?
_________________
Whats ' a machu' with you?
-------------------
Slackware, sexy linux

A-Wing · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:38 pm Post subject: RE: Re: New laptop, huge foul-up

Yes it was, the P4 ones with wireless are Centrino. Although I believe the Celeron wireless ones are using the same wireless chip. I believe its the ipw2200 driver that is used.
_________________
Andrew Hutchings, Linux Jedi
www.a-wing.co.uk

M-Saunders · Moderator Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:14 pm Posts: 2883

I have an R50e, and all the hardware works fine under Linux. I haven't tried the WinModem yet but apparently there are drivers for it.

M